Welcome! Can you take a photo and show the worst one. Normal skin tone pads/callouses on the bottom of the feet (that are there when you pull the fur back) is normal. Sore hocks are when they become red and sometimes bloody. They can take a long while to heal. If it is really sore hocks, then you may want to change the litter temporarily to soft like like carefresh. The fact she will have more space to move around (instead of being in a shelter cage) will also help distribute her weight for more healing. What kind of rabbit is she? Sometimes Rexes and larger rabbits are more prone to these issues.

Also, make sure her nails are trimmed as long nails can cause sore hocks.

I would also talk to the shelter and let them know.

Oh! Thanks for posting the photo. I just completely missed the link in your first post until you mentioned it.  Sorry about that.  

Okay, yes, she has sore hocks.  Thank goodness they are not open as that makes it tougher.  Rexes for sure are more susceptible even in the best circumstances (Rugs can even cause it).  You had said you had rubber mats and that’s great. 

  Her nails do not look too long as I can see the quick.  (Rexes also have less fur on their feet and so their nails are more exposed and always look longer).   However, it is also not common for the quick to grow longer into the nail if they are not trimmed on a regular bases — so if you feel that may be the case you can just trim her nails slightly every few weeks and the quick will recede slowly.  It will be very important to keep her nails trim and keep her weight  at a lean healthy level. 

I am hoping some other Rex owners, who have dealt with this, will step in and offer some advice, but I can give you some resources of different ways of managing sore hocks. 

This is a foot wrap advice which seems good for the level your bunny is at — (Not to be used for open sores) 

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sorehocks.html (scroll past the reasons as I suspect the reason is just the shelter environment with a smaller cage and the type of rabbit this is.)  The bandaging technique is further down. 

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/sore-hocks.html (This one has a baby sock method). 

I am more inclined to go with the first one, but some rabbits may respond better with slightly different methods.  I have never had to do this before and so I have no idea how rabbits respond to it  – I would think they would try to pull the material off – which is why I think the bandage method may work better. 

Anyway, your bunny is very lucky to have you as their new forever human.  You are doing the right thing and taking this seriously as sore hocks can get worse and get infected, and so it’s great that you are on top of this!    Great job!

 Keep us updated!

P.S.  Wanted to add – I just checked out Kaytee Clean and Cozy — that actually looks similar to carefresh — is it a soft paper based litter?   If so, you don’t need to switch.   I was just making sure it wasn’t hard pelleted litter. 

I just want to add a tidbit to BB’s great advice: Clean & Cozy is softer than Carefresh, so I would stick with it. I switched to it because it’s the softest and most absorbant paper litter I could find.

I’ve dealt with sore hocks and I highly recommend you getting a big memory foam bath mat for his floor. I bought a few of these at Bed Bath & Beyond (pretty pricey but they are the best quality I could find, very cushy and soft and come in diff sizes.) They really helped her.

If you get mat, just be sure to check regularly for chewing. Some bunnies will chew these and you don’t want him to ingest the fabric or foam.