My shelter experience

[Hedi]

I have already posted a little about going to the shelter and falling in love with the little lop eared boy I brougth home this weekend. They told me no one ever adopts them, no one lets them out for play time. They did tell me as long as they aren’t sick they can live there forever. They do not spay/neuter before adoption. They "offer" the names of local vets or using a mobile vet clinic appt for spays/neuters. They do not allow people to foster the rabbits unless their 5 small cages are filled.  I went last thursday and got to play with three and thats when i fell in love with the little guy I brought home. We talked about what food they are feeding them and they told me they feed whatever they can get. I took them a 10lb container of Purina rabbit chow and some hay. The rabbits are depressed. Its horribly obvious. I think I am gonna call tomorrow and see if I can come on a regular basis. They wont do any more volunteer training until June but I just want to play with the buns so I am hoping they will make an exception.

On a brighter note we went on sunday to a humane society in Columbus, about 1hr north of us. They are linked to their local chapter of the rabbit society. We got to spend the morning before they opened playing with the buns, passing out toys and learning how they operate. Its like night and day from ours! Their buns are fixed, they have awesome literature about the buns available and the rabbits were happy! They get fresh greens daily, fruit, unlimited hay, etc. They even have those little carpet squares in their houses.

We took the rabbits all junior slinkies, cat balls, TP rolls, treats from  Bunny Bytes and then each a baggie treat (from the toy idea section). The rabbits were so impressed! lol And the rabbits have good sized homes out front so people can see them.

I am working with the rabbit society to see what we can do to bring our local shelter up to speed on rabbits. Part of me feels very guilty for not getting involved earlier but I had no idea they took in rabbits. I have been dealing closely with the columbus rabbit society so having their support will help a lot.

[x liddo bunny x]

you are an awesome bunny hero. with what you are doing will hopefully make many buns out in your area happier. =) thank you for all your hard work.

[poopy]

Aw, that is great work you are doing! And ya, they should definitely spay/neuter them before adoption.

[Hedi]

I just got an email from a man who has been helping at that shelter. He is involved with the house rabbit society as well. We are going to meet soon and discuss trying to set up  a foster program for the buns and try and get them on an exericse routine so they get out of their cages daily.

What I have done is nothing compared to the amazing people I have met on this site. Osprey, binkybunny and everyone else that works at shelters are such an inspiration!

 

[Gravehearted]

it’s great that you’re inspired and willing to work with your local shelter. I really hope they’ll allow you to volunteer and get some good programs going.

[BinkyBunny]

You’re awesome.  Good job!   It seems the shelter was open to your help and so that at least that’s good that they  welcomed you in.  You just never know what kind of politics you have to confront. 

I wonder why you’re local shelter won’t spay/neuter the bunnies.   Maybe they don’t have a rabbit savvy vet on staff?   I mean wow, if any animal should be neutered, a rabbit should be a priority!

You should tell the part of you that feels guilty to stop.  You can’t know what  you don’t know!   Feel 100% proud of yourself as  you are doing more than anyone at the shelter is even doing, and they KNOW they have rabbits.    If anyone should have a grip on things, it should’ve been the shelter that should have sought out education.   But as long as they are open to someone bringing knowledge in, then it’s better late than never.

Again, BIG KUDOS to you, Hedi!!!!!

[Hedi]

Thanks!

I got an email from the man who goes in and helps with the buns. He called the volunteer coordinator requesting I be allowed to come socialize with the buns without training since training won’t be until June. I have spoken a lot with the manager for our house rabbit society here and after meeting them they trust me which really helps a lot!

I am not working and I could go over several times a week and play with them. Hopefully they see that as a good thing. I worry the rabbits will never be adopted out if they aren’t socialized better. The one little rabbit cried (and i mean really cried-broke my heart) when I tried to put her back in her cage.

They did tell me their vets were not comfortable with the rabbits. So they offer the services of the mobile vet unit. But the house rabbit society has had problems with them and so we may need to figure something else out for them. If the house rabbit society wont allow them to work on their foster/shelter buns then they shouldnt be doing ours as well! We only have three bunny savy vets in the area. Two are at my vets office and the other is nearby as well.

[osprey]

Great going, Hedi.  Personally, I have yet to muster the courage to set foot in a shelter, it would be just too depressing to me to have to leave the bunnies there and go home.  Anything you can do for them will be very appreciated I am sure.

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