I’m a volunteer at my local animal shelter. I’ve seen many, MANY guinea pigs and a few rats come and go, but every so often we get a bun. At the shelter, since I’m only a volunteer, I cannot say how the buns should be treated, and I do my best to make it as comfortable as possible for them when I’m there, but… it’s not a pleasant place to be if you’re a rabbit. The small animal room is a large closet inside the dog room, so it’s always loud and the cages are typically just too small for rabbits (they’re usually in guinea pig cages and there’s nowhere to let them run around). The staff doesn’t know how to take care of rabbits since their main purpose at the shelter is to help cats and dogs, not exotics. Usually when I get there, there isn’t enough hay, and I’ve provided many toys for the small animals, but usually they’re edible or wicker or straw and get destroyed/consumed within no time and I’m a poor student with my own two buns to care for. So there aren’t usually any toys to keep them busy.
ANYWAY. Needless to say, not a great place to be if you’re a bun.
The buns usually are adopted out fast (like… within a week of them arriving). The rabbits we get are almost always extremely friendly. They’ll hop up TO you, they’ll let you pet them however you please, they don’t lunge or run away…
There’s a bun that’s been here a while (a couple of months… an eternity, compared to how quickly the other buns are adopted) is the exact opposite.
Clearly, she’s just scared. I’m surprised that in these conditions, all of the other bunnies have been so ridiculously friendly.
Well, I’ve been working with her since she’s been here, and today she finally. FINALLY. Flopped over and closed her eyes while I pet her on the nose!!!
It was joyous.
I couldn’t help it. I filled out an adoption application immediately after. If this grumpy bun in these conditions can get used to me, then we’re meant to be!
Unfortunately… my roommates have four cats a dog, and I already have two buns and a hamster, so… I don’t think I’ll be able to convince them to let me take her into my care. If I am approved for adoption (I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t be, especially since this girl’s been there a while) there’s no way I can turn down the opportunity. I guess I’ll just have to convince my 15-year-old brother (who conveniently lives 10 minutes away… perfect for, maybe, bun visiting…) who’s been wanting a puppy to join the rabbit side instead!
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