This afternoon I’m going on my first visit to the SPCA as a volunteer.  Last Monday I went to the volunteer orientation session and went on a tour of the shelter. There was a lot of people there looking to volunteer. Like 30…the staff was so surprised. They do a volunteer orientation session once a month. I think a lot of people were just looking for something to do during March break.

The staff speaker discussed what to do with cats and the dogs…proper procedures to follow etc. Nothing was mentioned about the rabbits. I’m too shy to ask questions in a room full of people so when we broke up for the tour I asked one of the staff members what I could do with the rabbits. She said “We don’t let people take the rabbits out. Because they are too difficult to handle, I think”. Then the staff session speaker walked by and she asked her “Why don’t we let people take the rabbits out” and she answered ”You can take the rabbits out. You can take them up to the cat room to play with. As long as you know how to handle rabbits and are comftorable with them. Most people don’t bother with the rabbits”. Obviously this made me even more eager to volunteer.

There are only about 6 rabbits at the shelter right now. There are about 6 more in foster care. Here are a pic of a couple that I saw when I was there last week. They keep the rabbits in the kitten room. 

Buttons- she has a leaky eye right now that is being treated. She is kept in the SPCA pet supply store which is at the entrance of the building. She was found as a stray.

Domino-

Prince and Duke

Rex- I took a liking to this big Plushie guy.

My one big beef with the shelter is that they do sometimes break up bonded pairs to put in foster homes or adopt them out. When I get comftorable with the place I will definetly raise my concern about this.

So I’m wondering what sort of things I should do with the bunnies? There are 2 cat rooms upstairs where volunteers and prospective adopters can bring cats and rabbits up to play with them. Any ideas of things I can do/bring to amuse the bunnies? I was thinking I will make them some little treat bags with paper bags, hay and treats inside. I will probably spend time with 1 or 2 bunnies per visit and I plan on going at least 2 times per week. Today I’m going with my friend who loves cats and wants to spend time with the kittens.