Well, OneTwoThree, legally they cannot do anything. They may not have the resources either to help but maybe they can offer some advice or make some phone calls...sometimes that's the best you can hope for.

Hey everyone, I'm still corresponding with HRRN.
I talked with one of the mentioned vets and she did take animals in to him, but he wasn't able to tell me if they were rabbits. He did imply though, that they were not and told me he did disagree with the way she runs things. He cannot assist with low cost or no cost spay and neuter.

I will look into the local laws after work today. We want to try and help them first, though.

Hey everyone
I haven't gotten much movement on this process. Just giving a quick update.
My sole resource from Austin tried to come through for me but basically are saying well, you can't do much.
So, I'm coming down to making an animal abuse report tomorrow.
I hope this is the right thing to do. I feel very strange about this but these bunnies need to be safely housed indoors.
I am going to actively stay on top of this now that my work schedule has calmed down.

I will keep everyone posted.

PS - Peppy, was hoping to see you yesterday at the annual cleaning! Oh well, another time!

Sorry to hear that things aren't moving along as fast as you would like . Still wishing you good luck with the situation.

I would have gone to the cleaning yesterday, except that it was the one weekend I needed to be out of town. Too bad it didn't work out!

Malp,
Can you please elaborate on your comment about contacting local media?

Sometimes local news stations and papers are quick to pick up an animal neglect case if its brought to them. It often spurs a response when other things don't.

I've started to contact media and animal control.

Thanks Lesley.
This is a hard thing to do but someone has to and I will see this through.

I just dropped a megaton bomb of emails on ALL the local newspapers, news stations, and radio.

One of top local news stations has already emailed me and told me they are going to help!!!!!!

Hey everyone,
Just spoke with the reporter from the news station. We agreed that this needed to be taken care of.
They will be going out there tomorrow..... I'll be there too feeding the poor buns.
I will let everyone know.

Wow, tha'ts great! Maybe you could also talk to them to see if you can get a blurb in about how rabbits are NOT low-maintenance fluffy little cute things, and that it's exactly that kind of thinking that leads to situations like this.

Posted By lazyhistoire on 05/15/2011 05:46 PM
Hey everyone,
Just spoke with the reporter from the news station. We agreed that this needed to be taken care of.
They will be going out there tomorrow..... I'll be there too feeding the poor buns.
I will let everyone know.

 

Good for you I wish I could help. I am glad that this is being bought to the attention of the public. Let us know how it goes tomorrow.

lazyhistoire I'm so sorry I totally lost this thread and just saw your question

but you basically did what I had in mind anyway The only thing I was going to say was that if you didn't get contacted after the email to follow up with a phone call, but that is GREAT that they got back to you right away!!!

you're doing a great job! Give us the link to the article when it comes out, I definately want to see it!

Posted By peppypoo on 05/15/2011 06:22 PM
Wow, tha'ts great! Maybe you could also talk to them to see if you can get a blurb in about how rabbits are NOT low-maintenance fluffy little cute things, and that it's exactly that kind of thinking that leads to situations like this.

 

Yes, definitely mention that buns aren't a "Get 'em and forget 'em" kind of pet. Theya re more like cats and dogs than a hamster, but not as snuggly and willing to be carried around as most cats and dogs either. Silly buns being all complicated..

Thanks for the support guys! I'm working around with local contacts as well. I've read some awful reviews online about this place too so I know this is right. Thank you all! I will def keep you updated on what happens.

As for getting a blurb in, I'm going to try. Although I'm trying to remain anonymous in this whole thing because the owner's kinda REALLY mean... and.. yeah..

I'll be there working with the bunnies so maybe I can use that to get in a blurb

OOh and also, I've started talking with the Bunderground Railroad about this already and we are going to try to activate on this but the bunnies have to be seized first - legality issues

I have them cornered on every front.
I've contacted a cruelty officer, they are going on to check on the situation and so is animal control. I am in touch with 3 local news stations, one of which is interviewing me tonight. About to call a 4th that asked me to call them.
I've been out there all day in the hot sun shoveling up the urine soaked hay and they were so happy to get fresh hay and water
I will bring these animals justice!!

Someone here in SA mentioned to me that it may just be a person who likes animals and/or a hoarder and just using this for tax breaks. She has a LOT of negative reviews on her shelter and one of the news stations I spoke with said they'd already had calls on them before.

Oh and. I think we lost a few buns.
The baby in the photo without hair passed. I asked if there were any others and they wouldn't tell me.

But there were a lot fewer bunnies this time 'round..

AAHGGHHH GUYS!!!!!!!!

The girl I've been corresponding with who has been helping me out through this just emailed me this:

Omg you're not going to believe this: First, I just called them (our local humane society) and they said because they're a shelter they can't do much of anything. The girl just told me to call the city facility. Now get this: in doing the search, it led me back to the ASPCA website and that sanctuary is on the list of contacts!

Tax breaks, sounds about right :/

What the? The 'sanctuary' is on the list of contacts? *insert angry face here*

I'm so sad that the bunny passed

oh wow, I would definitely share that with the newspapers! I would also write a letter to the ASPCA showing your concern and forward your pictures. You could also make a facebook group and share it with everyone. Maybe even post about it on craigslist and other sites like it? I was thinking to about going to your local vets and talking to them about it? Vets are regularly asking the SPCA to follow up on animals that come into clinics, so maybe some of them will help you? The more people that call the SPCA and humane societys about abuse, the more likely they will act on it.

I don't know you, but I'm really proud of you I wish I lived closer to you so I could help Definitely let me know if there is anything I can help with online or something.

I would join the facebook page.. and pass it on. There was a zoo in Canada that has animals in bad conditions and SOMEONE posted pictures of it on facebook and it got around and caused quite a stir with the public.

yeah, its in Toronto

I already have a FB page and a blog on this particular shelter
Though I didn't name it

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SA-Ra...2039735522" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/pages/SA-Ra...2039735522

and this is the blog:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SA-Ra...2039735522" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/pages/SA-Ra...2039735522

I'll try newspapers I guess ... though I got a call from an officer yesterday telling me if I don't stop they are going to file lawsuit against me. FOR WHAT? I don't know, harassment apparently, but they can't because I didn't harass them.

I'm disappointed in the newscast - it's in spanish and I don't know if anyone can understand it but basically, they didn't even talk about the rabbits. The only thing mentioned was that I work with them. I talked with them on camera for about 10-15 minutes and they used 5 seconds of a clip.

I don't know how these people are getting by.
Here's the newscast

http://univision41.univision.com/no...e-animales

Oops let me repost the FB. you can find the blog on that page.

<!-- Facebook Badge START -->SA Rabbit Rescue

Promote Your Page Too<!-- Facebook Badge END -->

:'(

I did the blurb and everything. I was trying to get across a message that this can happen, that rabbits aren't like "livestock" they are indoor animals, and they need help. I was hoping for help.

Unfortunately I think you are seeing the limitations and frustration you will have as a (rabbit) rescuer. There will be some things you can effectively change though and this may still be a victory for you and the rabbits still but it just may be later rather than sooner.