Update!! WE’RE STARTING A RABBIT RESCUE!!!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

OMG I’m so excited I could spit!! (Old saying in my family sorry!!)

 

You know how I’ve posted a few times about wanting to start one? I have two super people who wanted to help but we couldn’t figure a central location to shelter them….

Nanci, the lady who runs the horse rescue is like “there are way too many free bunnies on Kijij we should start a rescue, I have an empty basement and buy hay in bulk already…”

 

WOOT WOOT!! We are meeting to strategize tonight!! Will keep you all posted!!!

[Sarita]

Sounds great!

One thing you will want to keep in mind is which rabbits you are going to take – very important so you don’t start getting overwhelmed. There will always be people wanting to “dump” their rabbit for any old reason on you.

[bigsis7]

OMGSH!!! I am so excited for you!!! Keep us up to date!!!

[osprey]

Way to go K&K, how exciting!

Like Sarita says, don’t become known as the “lady who takes bunnies”.  Try to find a local shelter you can work with, and help the really desperate bunnies facing death first.  If you ever need any advice or help with collateral and online stuff, feel free to ask.

 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Thanks so much guys!! I am literally shaking I’m so excited! I already have two people who wanted to start one with me, we just needed a location, and Dave already bought me a website a while back http://www.radrabbits.com so we already have a site!!
She has hay and a few cages, I have one cage. We can buy tons of stuff like bowls etc. used from the humane society dirt cheap and I can buy the extra stuff from BB store -like toys!!
I already have a rabbit adoption pamphlet that I wrote up for the HS and we already have adoption/surrrender contracts from her horse rescue, just need to be altered.

Basically, formal paperwork, cage aquiring and contacting vets for lowcost spay/neuters is what we have to do….I already have my file of the only ‘acceptable’ rabbit vets from when I was vet hunting!!

[jerseygirl]

Woo Hoo! I’m moving to Edmonton, Alberta!……….well, maybe in a parallel life! Seriously thou, that’s so admirable! You’re gonna be one committed bunny rescuer. Does your BF realise he’s gonna be a true bunny widower?

I’ve spent a bit of time converting a large back room into a bunny shelter (in my head!). I now seriously think if I won the lottery, a rabbit rescue is something I’d be doing. *sigh*

Be very interesting so see how establishing one comes about. Maybe you could start a blog “in your spare time!” Be educating for me for when I win the lotto!

Kudos 4 K&K!!!

[JK]

That’s really great but be prepared for how costly this will be to care for the bunnies.  Ideally you should become a non profit so that you can then get grants and tax benefits. There is A LOT to it.

[fireworks]

Awesome! I volunteer at a rabbit rescue, so I know how much work it must be for the person who runs it! But instead of using lots of bunny cages, try dog crates? Because they are probably easier to find second-hand and to get donated to your rescue and such than rabbit cages. But yeah good luck!

[Deleted User]

I’ve got goosebumps reading your post … You go Girl … you are very knowledgeable and have a heap of support already.

Always nice when it comes together.

Big Hugs Girl …

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’m so pumped, and Nanci already runs a rescue, not to mention I volunteer with several and even more if you consider my past experience. I actually got a dog rescue through the non-profit status and then on to charity status. The non-profit is easy to get, Charity status takes over a year, but we’ll get there!

We think we’re going to go with “Hoppy Endings Rabbit Rescue’ ….H.E.R.R -‘hare!”
Nanci will luckily be doing the ‘get off the ground’ funding, because she’s awesome!! I’m just so excited, we’re probably getting ten of the Kelowna rabbits (have you guys heard of them? They have a bad ferral rabbit problem there, so we are going to go down and take ten-lucky again that Nanci can afford speutering them all! *sigh*)

[LittlePuffyTail]

That is so great! I wish I lived closer!!! I want to help a rabbit rescue sooooo bad…

[bigsis7]

That’s sounds so awesome!! And it happened so quickly too!!! Good luck!!

[Sarita]

Yes, there is alot of costs involved in this and you will be in the red for quite awhile.

When I had my own small group all the money was out of pocket for me – still is from all the rabbits I still have from this.

I agree with Osprey too – work with the local shelter first and foremost.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

…Not sure how you mean to work with a local shelter? (all our locals are no kill and only two take rabbits, AND there aren’t any rabbit shelters)

We are planning to affiliate as much as possible with the other shelters/rescues and animal groups, including the local rabbit club…Is that what you mean?

Oh and thanks for all the support and tips-REALLY appreciated

[Sarita]

Your shelters don’t euthanize? For any reason?

Most rabbit rescues (that I know of) take rabbits from shelters first and foremost who are in danger of being euthanized – maybe that’s not a problem where your at though.

[Beka27]

this is exciting. i have no experience with this, but my thought would be to have a very firm limit on how many rabbits you are starting off with, and maybe the “type” of bunnies (younger, healthier, at least at first!) this way, if things don’t work out for whatever reason, you don’t have 50 bunnies to rehome.

good luck!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

No, they all are no kill (except the pound, who sends stray rabbits when they occur to the humane society) except in cases of extreme aggresion (dogs…) or medically necessary.

The only other shelter that takes rabbit’s is a foster rescue and they don’t euthanize except for the same reasons

That’s lucky but as we’ve all unfortunately experienced with no-kill, there’s no room… And we have no rescue dedicated to rabbits in all of Alberta! So we want to be them!!

Between me and Nanci we could end up with more then fifty LOL We can of course steal from the horse volunteer base if necessary, but how many would be a good number to limit ourselves at-at least at first??

[Sarita]

Well, you have alot of work to do – you need to decide what your basis is for taking a rabbit before you decide how many you will take.

Then I would limit it to a very small number because you will find that even adopting and educating new rabbit owners can be alot of work and since you are an unknown you won’t be people pounding down the doors to adopt rabbits but you will have plenty of dump calls.

[osprey]

Sarita is right on the nose. You need a plan for intakes, fostering and adoptions. It will be rough going initially, as you’ll be chronically short of volunteers for a while. Think about how you want to do adoptions. Petfinder? If so, you’ll need a photographer and someone to update the listings. Your own website? You’ll need a webmaster. Adoptions at pet stores/feed stores that sort of thing? Find out who the store managers are, figure out if you can work with them and how you’ll showcase your bunnies. Their support is crucial to your success. You’ll also need an adoption contract and a maybe a pre-adoption screening form. I can supply you with ours to use as a starting point.

Petfinder is actually a very good resource. They are totally geared toward dogs and cats, but they have lots of useful information for shelters and rescues to use. Lots of great information can be found in the Petfinder Library. Don’t get discouraged, Sarita and I have seen how these things work (or don’t!) and we are just trying to let you know what you are getting yourself into. You might also check with some of the bigger Canadian rescues like rabbitrescue.ca and OREO (Ontario Rabbit Education Organization). They might be able to help with the Canada specific rules and regs. that we southerners don’t know about. HRS (House Rabbit Society) is very good about supporting people trying to do rescue, they might have some way to help too.

[Beka27]

i was thinking no more than 5 to 10 bunnies to start. if this whole thing does not work out, you need a number that you could manage by yourself. having just a few lets you focus on the actual process. maybe after a year of being successful you could expand.

[Sarita]

Another good rescource is Best Friends.

http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/resourcelibrary/

[Sarita]

I agree to with Osprey – Petfinders is a great place to post adoptables. We get most of our adoptions from this website. They can also help you I believe set up a website somehow in the iterim until you get yours up and running.

You also need a Board of Directors as well to help you.

[JK]

I don’t want you to think I am discouraging you because I think it is very admirable, however,  I have been working with Save A Bunny and I see the “day in and day out no relief” work they do.  It takes literally all day for one person to clean the cages, refill water bottles, change litter boxes, refresh hay, feed pellets etc.  for 60–70 rabbits.  It is a daily ongoing necessity. The washer and dryer are running constantly and that adds up to a lot of $.  What about medical issues? They spend thousands on medical bills.  To have one rabbit’s teeth pulled is hundreds of dollars and it is unbelievable how many bunnies have teeth isues. So many medical issues come up.  Even with discounted vet fees it adds up very quickly. It would be highly unrealistic to take in only “healthy” rabbits. You really should start out small to see if you can do this. Committed, that’s the key word here, volunteers are hard to come by.  There is so much to do and it becomes overwhelming for non paid staff.  They leave like flies. I would just hate to see you get in over your head.  But by starting out with no more than 10 bunnies you would see how it would be to care for these bunnies and how much it costs to house and feed them and provide medical care for them.  I do wish you the best of luck  but please just talk to the founders of some respected rescues to get the real scoop.  I’m sure Marcy at Save A Bunny would give you excellent advice.

[Sarita]

Knowltons makes some excllent points. I think 10 rabbits is too many though since you are new to this.

Also you need a good treasurer/accountant.

[JK]

These stats were published in the latest Save A Bunny newsletter!  Food for further thought…

SaveABunny
by the Numbers

A TYPICAL WEEK:

Rabbits seeking homes:
80

New Requests for Rescue Help
20+

Space Available For Rescue
1
(We really need your help with foster homes!)

Towels used:
850

Loads of laundry:
63

Hay:
3 bales

Pellets:
30 lbs

Vegetables:
7 cases

Litter:
160 lbs

Poop:
Too much to think about!

Bright Eyes goes *inside* his hayrack before it is refilled

 

[Sarita]

What is the difference between rabbits seeking home and new requests for rescue help?

That’s interesting and sounds pretty much like NTRS’s too. Except for the towels.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Thanks all!!!

We actually already have a website, and Dave said he’d be the webmaster (hes an electrician but does web design as one of his hobbies) so we’re good there.

I think 5-10 would be a good start as it’s likely going to be me and Nanci doing cages and care at first. Definitely know about volunteers, I’m doing the volunteer coordinating at our horse rescue, I’d say I get five interested people for every one who actually comes out and volunteers. We basically want a number at this point that the two of us can handle the care for, don’t want to rely on anyone until we have people we can rely on!!

Medical issues Nanci will look after, she pays the vet care on over twenty horses so on rabbits will be peanuts. She’s amazing

For the website, I’d like to do bios and videos the way you do Osprey-would you mind us copying you?

I luckily know the EARS club around here (rabbit club, breeders and owners etc.) and we personally know all the rescues and most of the big rescue people, so we should have our name out there soon!!! But we will have to look at maybe having the rabbits for a long time as we can’t count on adoptions right away!!

*No worries I appreciate all the advice/thoughts/tips Keep ’em coming!!

[JK]

Well some of the shelters will ask  Save a Bunny to take a rabbit either because they will have to euthanize because the rabbit is in such poor shape or there is no room at the shelter.  There are all kinds of phone calls that come in wanting Save A Bunny to come rescue a rabbit maybe from a neglect situation or a rabbit that is seen out in the open or in an dangerous situation.  The list goes on and on…

[osprey]

Take any ideas that you feel are useful, including my lame videos 🙂

[Beka27]

the woman i got Max from does rehome from her house. she has 4 or 5 personal bunnies, and then another 30. many of them are “not adoptable” due to age, health problems, size (she has very big bunnies, many are 10+ pounds, not to mention her flemishes). so it’s really a “sanctuary” more than anything else. she only has about 5 on petfinder at any given time, and those same ones have been on since last spring. Max had been with her for 3 years (since he was a little baby)… so there’s not always a lot of business for the bunnies. another thought… could you try and adopt a pregnant mom and see how rehoming goes with the babies first? obvioously spay/neuter would fall on you.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Knowltons you said Marcy at save a bunny? Do you have an email addy from her? I’d love any advice she could give! I also emailed Olga from VRRA where I got Chuck to ask any advice.

I’m doing up a ‘to-do’ list now

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Can’t thank you guys enough for those links!! My boss doesn’t want to thank you since I”ve been reading them all day LOL But those are going to be super helpful and great for the horse shelter too!!

[JK]

Marcy’s email is saveabunny@aol.com

 

 

 

[TARM]

::envy::

Good luck to you K&K! I have wanted to start my own rescue for years for Pit Bulls but I just don’t have the time, space or resources to do it. Now that I have my bunnies I’d love nothing more than to fill my entire house up with displaced bunnies but I know if I did that I wouldn’t have time for the animals that actually belong to me. So…I’m trying to be content with volunteering a measely six hours a month.

I’d love to see a website like PBRC has for pit bulls. It’s loaded with behavior, training, rehoming, nutrition information AND it has a nation wide database where rescues can advertise their dogs. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could have a world wide foster based program? Heh.

[osprey]

Sarita, I think that requests for rescue come from shelters, and rabbits seeking new homes includes community surrenders.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I just absolutely want to be financially independant and have my own place to fill with animals…I’ll miss dave LOL

[TARM]

My fanancial independence only allows for a small place of my own…in which I’m required to house my offspring…thereby prohibiting me from lining every inch of wall space with NIC condos….

[Cassi&Charlie]

I think what your doing is amazing, will be rewarding, heartbreaking full of fun, full of pain and a lot of work. It’s so wonderful that your doing this!
Jersey girl, I always think about where I’d house all my rescue buns when I win the lottery – unfortunately I never buy tickets and have done many a statistics course at ANU telling my that I never will win the lottery. Guess I’ll just have to content myself with the buns I already have.

BTW K&K, can people donate to the cause? I don’t understand Australia’s charity laws let alone any other countries laws, but the HRS has a donation section…

[LuluW]

Hey that’s great! One thing you need to look out for is sicknesses being passed through bunnies so clean, clean, clean! When a bunny is sick take that bunny totally away from all the others, so nothing can’t be passed through bunnies. Keep everything clean and good luck!!!!!

[Nicci607]

WOW!! that is very exciting K&K I’m sure you’ll be successful!! I peeked at radrabbits.com already =)

Good luck with everything!! I think its wonderful of you guys to start a rabbit rescue!! you’re already experienced with the work you do for horses…another hay eater!! LOL!!

 Hugs and Kisses to you!!

 

[LittlePuffyTail]

It’s too bad every Province in Canada doesn’t have a shelter. I notice some states have several.

There is a major need everywhere. I e-mailed a guy on kijiji yesterday, he said he has rabbits for free, and didn’t say anything else. Being curious about anything bunny related I asked why he was giving away his rabbits. He replied “Because I have like 40 of them” I wanted to send a nasty reply so bad, but it won’t help, stupid people don’t learn.

Sorry that’s a bit off topic, I think it’s really great that you get to do this K&K. It feels sooo good, to feel that you are making a difference to animals.

[kralspace]

wow, I think it’s great you’re working on starting a rescue. I have learned a lot reading everyones messages and while I don’t have any experience to offer, I do have 6 buns. Even though it’s 3 couples instead of 6 individual cages, each condo has 2 water bowls and 2 litter boxes.

It does take a certain amount of time to keep everything clean and filled. Even on a good evening after a full day’s work I try to empty the boxes, sweep, rotate everyone out to play and make sure everyones fed and tucked in for the night. On a very long tiring day, that’s all I do, is come home, take care of them and go to bed. I enjoy it, I look forward to it, but like owning my horse for 32 years you do make the choice to give up a lot of other things. I can’t imagine trying to do all that and look for homes, take care of ill buns (hats off to you, Sarita!) and do adoptions and paperwork, you have all my prayers and best wishes.

I was up in Dallas to the rescue today to get hay, and it always amazes me to see so many people working so hard taking care of the buns. I always enjoy visiting with Sarita and everyone, I’ve never seen her without a bun in her arms. Cristy, Diane, all the regulars cleaning, grooming, clipping nails and just trying to socialize the buns. It’s awesome, I wished I lived closer than 100 miles so I could help.

[MarkBun]

With SaveABunny Requests for Rescue are people who call SaveABunny asking them to take a bun off their hands. Buns seeking new homes are how many rabbits SaveABunny currently has that are up for adoption.

K&K – a couple of things I noticed at Save A Bunny that I would never had thought of as a rescue worker:

1) Shop Vac sanitation – All Shop Vac attachments are kept in a bleach & water solution and the shop vac is never used without one of those attachments. It is also recommended that you give it a quick dip between cages.

2) Handi Cart for cage maintenance – get yourself a cart that you can carry supplies on – such as litter, food, water bottles – so that you can go from cage to cage and refill the empties without having to continually walk back and forth from cage to cage

3)Wheeled garbage can for hay – Since Hay is a major item in shelters, get yourself a tall, wheeled garbage can that is easy to transport around and fill it with the hay that you can then stuff their hay racks with.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Thanks Markus those are great ideas!!!

We’re getting the site running tonight and Nanci took in a rabbit last night

Osprey, Heather has already started corresponding with me with tips etc!!

I’ll keep you guys posted

[LittlePuffyTail]

This is so exciting that your starting a rescue!!! You better keep us updated and post plenty of pics!~

[MooBunnay]

I’m so excited for you!! Getting advice from other rescues is a great idea – and possibly networking with Best Friends as well. I know that Best Friends has a “No More Homeless Pets” campaign and network that you might want to join because it would give you access to their members in your area, and probably access to a lot of people that could ive you advice and tips.

As far as 10 bunnies being a lot – I currently have 8, and it were it not my passion and all time favorite thing to do to take care of animals, it could be overwhelming

[Dee]

I think what you’re doing is AWESOME!!! I know it breaks my heart to see animals in need, but to actually have the courage and determination to DO something about it? That is truly admirable and if more people in this world would give a bit of time, money or whatever they could spare, it would make a HUGE difference to homeless animals.
It sounds like you are getting great, down to earth advice too. Take it slow and build from there! I will be watching to see how it goes- I wish you the very best.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’m just so happy it’s Nanci helping she’s wonderful and I don’t know how she finance’s things but she’s going to be paying out of pocket for all this stuff too-including spay and neuters She’s wonderful!!!

We have an enormous basement suite. We are setting up one room as the bunny room, the bathroom (very large) is going to be where we bring in new rabbits to keep them in isolation (I think we will be doing two weeks as I believe that’s the isolation time for snuffles, but will be looking into it more) and one room as the bunny playroom This is just a dream come true.

Also when the volunteers are out for the horses in the winter, we usually go inside for warm ups. Now warmups are going to be ‘playing with the bunnies’ a number of horse volunteers are already on board to help with the rabbits.

I just feel so priveledged to have BB as a resource for this rescue. I mean, you can get answers in a few minutes 24 hours a day Love this place

[MooBunnay]

Yay! Post some photos when you get a chance – I’m so excited to see how things progress!

[Nicci607]

K&K: I think its great how everything is going.

I found this website and maybe it is a helpful one for you even tho you’re in canada.

check it out:

 

http://www.helpingacause4paws.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I again want to thank everyone for their support and tips and help!!

We took in eight rabbits this weekend, one this week and are now at ten. We are no-kill of course so we’ll try to only take bleeding heart cases until we get some adopted.

We took in Peter, who I posted about previously. This week I took in a black lop from a woman who took four from a lady at work who had an ‘oops’ litter and was going to set them free (yes….) so she managed to rehome three and we took the fourth. He’s very cute. We took seven at the exotics auction this week who were going to the kill buyer. All males but one. The female was in a box with two males so she’s going for a spay asap!!! Unfortunately most rabbits who went through auction were like that (oh heres a male and a female, start the bidding *head desk*). We took one more rabbit in today, a ‘netherland dwarf’ rabbit whose actually a blue and white dutch (rolls eyes) from a lady who didn’t have enough time for him (*head desk) he’s so lovely and sweet natured I’m wondering how to bring him home!!!  (( We also took three potbellied pigs who were ripped from mom waay tooo early and not being bid on, have you ever tried to bottle feed a screaming pig at midnight on a saturday?? Not what I thought I’d be doing in a million years on a saturday night LOL )

Anyways again thanks for all the support and I’ll let you know when our site is finished and rolling!!

We have our rabbit room set up and a rabbit playroom, and everything in place!

[jerseygirl]

Girl! You may as well glue that desk to your forehead! Seriously, some people out there! On the weekend I found a site about a local rescue here in Adelaide. On reading the stories of how some of the buns had to be euthanized after rescue because it was more humane was so depressing. The things some people do to creatures-arghhhhh! I think i’d like to volunteer at a rescue but wow, you have to be emotional strong don’t you.

So once again, hooray for You, Nancy and co.

[JK]

KK! Wow that’s amazing!  You really do sound like you have things ready to roll. Yes it is sooo hard to work at a rescue.  I have been helping out and I am so emotionally a mess when it comes to animals!  Now I even feel sorry that these rescues that are cooped up in cages!  And that’s ridiculous because they are being well cared for. You start to see that some start getting very depressed and some are happy to be there.  I look into some of their eyes and I want to run.  It tears me up so much. And the stories and abuse is unthinkable.  It takes a tough soul to say no so be prepared!!!! I respect you so much for what you are doing.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Thanks guys!!

Knowltons, I found volunteering in a rescue much as you say you find it now. Working in the front lines is very hard and emotionally stressful, sooo you really need to balance out how your thinking about all of this. It’s terrible what people do and don’t do for animals. BUT try to see all the good so many people do and their huge hearts and how some of these animals get a second chance at life.

Here’s a beautifull quote I think may lighten your heart a little

The Original Story found in “STAR THROWER” a collection of essays by naturalist and writer, Loren Eiseley, 1978:

“One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it back into the ocean.

Approaching the boy he asked, ‘What are you doing?’

The youth replied, ‘Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.’

‘Son, the man said, ‘don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference.’

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf.

Then smiling at the man, he said…’I MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR THAT ONE.’ “

[JK]

Oh that just made me cry!  That is absolutely beautiful.  You have the right mindset for this and will be successful.

[Beka27]

i saw in another thread you took in 8 more. i rushed to this forum to see if it were true! you go girl! that’s awesome what you’re doing.

[Jennifer]

AWESOME!!!! I recently surrendered a very sweet black lop to your rabbit rescue and I’m so happy that I did. I truely feel comfortable knowing that he is in good hands and will have a chance at a great life.Thank you so much for what you are doing, and all the best in your endevours. If only the world containned more individuals like yourself, it would be a much brighter place.

[JK]

Just curious why did you surrender your rabbit?????

[Jennifer]

I expected that question.Actually he was’nt my rabbit. A lady that I work with had a litter of unwanted babies. I heard someone talking that she was going to release the babies into wild. The animal lover that I am could not let that happen,so although my home was not ready for four little bunnies. We quickly adjusted. I was able to find homes for 3 of them however ran out of time. My landlord hit the roof, and I needed to find a safe place for the last little guy to spend sometime while waiting for his new loving home. I placed an ad on kijiji and was contacted by this wonderful rabbit rescue, and needless to say, my hat is off to her. Hope that answers your question.

[JK]

Oh thanks that does answer my question.  I think that bunny is lucky to be with KK!

[Beka27]

jjyanew… you picked a great person to take care of your lil bun!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Awww shucks!

We took glamour shots of the buns yesterday so I’ll be posting pics of all our residents later today or early tomorrow. We also stocked our playroom and the cages up with more toys

jiyanew-I’m glad you joined up! Mr. Lop has been named Moreland and he’s settling in very well-binkying lots He’s third on the list for neuters so he should be done soon!

[Beka27]

what kind of exercise time are they getting? are they able to have some playtime? do you have any thoughts on trying to bond maybe 2 or 4 into pairs once fixed?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

They’re out everyday ; Myself, Nanci and the other volunteers are helping. We have an entire rabbit playroom and we stocked it with more tunnels toys and hidey houses yesterday They are all very calm and settled in, great you when you come down (you know the ‘HI HI HI” you get from bunnies? ) but binky and run like crazy when out.

I’d like to perhaps bond but was going to throw that question to you guys…Do you think bonded pairs or singles have better adoption chances? I almost feel if someone wants a bonded pair, come pick two and I’ll bond them for you? Would that be a good service?

[Beka27]

i think that’d be a great service to offer! yeah… that might be better than having pre-bonded pairs, unless of course you rescue a pair already bonded. so they get to play in the room together? i think having some bunny-to-bunny socialization is a good idea, even if not fully bonded.

will you be doing petfinder at all, or just your private website?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

We’re in the process of doing pet finder- a fast track is to have a vet write a letter for you (otherwise you have to wait for your non-profit to come through and that takes a bit) and one of our volunteers has that in the works, so we should be on there soon!

Of course, no one’s available yet, they have to be speutered first. Pacino is going in tomorrow

Play time is by yourself (or we have two sets of brothers staying together at this point-so they go out together). But they do visit through the cages while playing and often we’ll have one out in a lap while another is running around. Do not want to risk fighting though!!

It is very social though as they can all see each other very clearly from cage to cage and when out can visit through cages.

[Beka27]

uh…

duh Beka.

they’re not altered yet. blonde moment there (and i’m not even blonde… lol!)

are you allowed to post them on Petfinder before they are available to get their pics out there? can you put an “available on…” date? i know i’ve seen them do that for babies before, but i guess there’s also more interest in babies.

i’m very interested in how you’re going about this. it’s fascinating to have kinda a backseat view of the goings on. are you stopping at ten until some get adopted out?

[Lightchick]

KK, I never come into this Forum Group, and missed it when you started it…sorry I’m late, but CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are awesome! Can’t wait to hear more about it! (Keep posting pics in the Lounge, please…I can’t keep up with all these forum groups!)

[osprey]

You can certainly post on Petfinder with an available date, but it is not trivial to get a PetFinder account set up. They try very hard to keep breeders out, so you have to prove that you are really rescuing.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yup we are needing a letter from a vet to bypass waiting for the non profit status, which i think may take a while to come?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Update-we have twelve rabbits now.

Our procedure is going to be as soon as someone wants a particular rabbit they then go to be spayed/neutered, which saves us from getting two-three done at a time-they are availalbe, these ones aren’t. Now all are available, and when someone wants one, they go and get speutered that day!

We have two bonded pairs; One came as brothers and its certain they love each other. One is a baby boy and another boy, well the boy kept opening his cage (yes…) and hopping into the other guys cage. They appear to want to be together badly!! They are definitely definitely both boys (both have ‘junk’ heheh) so I guess they can stay together!!

We still have some work to do on the site and Dave promises me he has time alloted this weekend. We stil have to add the paypall donation button, I’d also like a section on what to do if you find a baby wild rabbit, a loose domestic rabbit and an injured wild rabbit. In addition I want to state a policy that we’ll bond any two rabbits of your choice as a bonded pair for an additional fee.

We also have to upload our forms for fostering and adopting. But we’re getting there! We have two foster homes, and one adoptive home that’s in the screening process right now! I’m already getting lots of responses to my ads from people asking just general bunny questions (I advise them AND guide them here of course!!)

[Sarita]

I understand the spay/neuter procedure you have based on money but what are you going to do if they are in your care for awhile which is going to happen – you may have some long term rabbits for various reasons (age, health, temperament, etc…) – it’s sad but it happens…something to think about for the future.

Definitely push the bonded pairs for new rabbit owners too – it happens so often that those new rabbit owners think they only want one rabbit and turn around and realize that they want another one for their single rabbit – and as you know bonding can be stressful – also they would be saving 2 lives instead of one.

Sounds like you are forging ahead! It’s nice too that you are getting lots of questions on education too.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Ah of course…If they are in the care for too long they will get done no worries!! healthwise they can’t sit around with the family jewels forever! Not that we’re putting it off, just that we aren’t going to max the vet budget trying to get these ones doen then these ones; Just that we will get whoever is in demand done asap

[rabbitsmba]

In my experience, bonded pairs are definitely more difficult to adopt out. Now of course WE all know how wonderful multiple bunneis are, but for a first-timer, they never seem to be interested in adopting more than one. But of course, they always return later for a “friend” for bunny #1!

So I don’t think you should bond bunneis in hopes of adopting out pairs, but I think offering a bonding service is a good idea. Our rescue doesn’t do it, though, but we do encourage second adoptions and offer support to all of our fosters and adopters.

Which brings me to another idea. One of the BEST things our rescue has is a messageboard dedicated soley for our fosters, adopters and volunteers. It’s just like here on BinkyBunny, but very local. This is where new bunny parents can ask all kinds of questions and get immediate and local help. Our adopters rave about having such a great support system in place for them. So perhaps you can try that too?

[Sarita]

Oh, I agree don’t bond bunnies in the rescue unless you have a home for them that way – I only think you should push the already bonded ones since you won’t want to separate them anyway (or of course bond 2 singles if they agree to a bonded pair).

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

No we won’t be bonding just for the heck of it LOL

I like the forum idea, I just don’t want to have to moderate too much…but yeah, it’d be nice for people to post on …hmmm good idea!

[MarkBun]

The other issue with bonded pairs is that those of us who do have them, when one passes on, we usually only look for one to help the other bun out. It’s a bit of a vicious cycle. I am thinking I’m going to only adopt older buns from this point on – yeah, they’ll leave me sooner but they should get a really good life for their twilight years.

[Cassi&Charlie]

That’s so sweet!

[MooBunnay]

Just to bring another idea about the bonding – the rabbit rescue that my husband and I volunteered with in Los Angeles almost strictly adopted out bonded pairs. Their reasoning for this was that they didn’t want single bunnies alone in the shelter, they wanted them to have a companion. Also, they didn’t want a single bunny going alone into a new home, they figured that it would be less stressful for the bunny if there were two going into the new home together. They also agreed with the opinion (not sure if it is researched or not) that the majority of rabbits live longer and less stressed lives if bonded. So basically almost all new bunnies into the system would get a companion, and then at education and adoption events they would talk to new adopters about the importance of bonded pairs in each other’s lives and the benefits of having a pair. They did also have some singles for those looking for a companion, but the volunteers that I worked with (don’t think it was a “policy”) would not adopt a single bunny out to a home alone unless in a special situation. I found that at the adoption events – for the most part – those adopters that were serious about the care of their bunnies usually did not shy away from the idea of two, and many ended up adopting pairs.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

You know what I really like that!! It’s true that anyone experienced who really loves their bunnies AND can handle the expense would not shy away from a pair, unless they are looking for one to add to one, and really we’re not concerned with a high turnover. We want to help the animals find a good a home, and since the care is good while they’re with us it shouldn’t matter how long they need to stay to find a non-impulsive excellent home.

I think we’re just going to live and learn in terms of pairs. We are not going to randomly pair up rabbits, but we would never ever seperate a pair that came as a pair -unless of course they need to be-ie. fighting etc. And I guess we’ll kind of see what people are looking for, good people are looking for

[Beka27]

that’s a great point that MooBunnay made… i think most of us with multiples know that two is (in most cases) easier than one.

[Cassi&Charlie]

Yep, if only I had been told that very good point Beka when I got Charlie, I’d have had a much happier first year and half with him! Since getting Layla I’ve noticed they are just so much easier to care for and a lot less naughty! (Layla is just a naughty bun but it’s part of her charm)

[BinkyBunny]

I also have to chime in and say great points MooBunnay. I know that, I would want to have some singles to choose from if one of the bonded mates passed on, but if I didn’t have bunnies, I could be talked into two. :0 ) And look how many more bunnies you are saving that way!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

We took in our first neutered bonded pair today! A broken lop (roger) and a caliornian (i think?) Bun-bun heheh very sweet and its great they are already neutered. The owners also brought two cages and a carrier and blankets, water bottles and crocks! Awesome people!

[BinkyBunny]

They sound sweet, why are their humans giving them up?

[JK]

Awesome people?  That’s what I want to know too why are they giving them up????

[Beka27]

i think gathering some concrete info about bonded pairs is a great idea for first-time adopters. maybe something on the website that says that you encourage rabbits to go out in pairs or to a home that already has a bunny and list the reasons why… i agree that it shouldn’t be a requirement for adoption, but strongly suggested.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I don’t usually agree with people giving up their pets for most reasons, but she volunteers with a couple of the grassroots organizations and has alot of cats and dogs and their rabbits just were not getting the time out of theiir cage or attention. I really respect that the rabbits were neutered, and also they want to come help and volunteer in the future so I guess I really liked them!

[Beka27]

^^^i agree with you there. you want them to take responsibility for the pets they have made a commitment too, but it’s just not always possible when life throws curve balls. i think in that case the more humane thing is giving them up so they can find a more attentive forever home.

[Sarita]

While I see how you might think that way – it seems like they might spend as much time in a cage at a rescue and get less attention too.

I do think they have good intentions but being a rescue is not always going to benefit the rabbit…this is just my opinion of course from what I’ve seen and experienced. Certainly they will get fed, vet care, and clean cages, etc…but not necessarily anymore attention than they were getting in their current home.

In the ideal world they will get adopted quickly but in the meantime they are in the same situation (most likely) than they were in their former home.

[BinkyBunny]

At least their future may be brighter if they get adopted as I have no doubt KK will find a loving home for them, and knowing how attentive she is, I know they will get wonderful attention, care and love. The rescue is not so large yet, still rather small.

In regards to the owners, I guess I have a hard time with that too. (however, I am also understanding about better to find a home that is best for the the bunny) It is just hard to understand, especially because the owners are people who volunteer and are also interested in volunteering at a rabbit rescue. So they will see the growing numbers of rabbits that need homes because people don’t or can’t care for them – sort of an odd circle there. But if they volunteer, it may be their chance to learn from their experiences – Being able to tell people first hand not to take on too much. And at least they are giving back, not like many other people who give up their animals do that.

I think it may be harder for some of us, who volunteer, to swallow just because the rescues here are just soooo overwhelmed, and most of the rabbits come from having to make the horrific decision about which ones they will save from the euthanasia list at animal control – knowing that they can’t take them all in,  they know their decision will allow other perfectly wonderful loving bunnies they looked at  to be euthanized.  Heartbreaking.  Most here in Northern California only work with saving those 11th hour bunnies and so that’s why I think there are a few of us that are like -  They gave their bunnies up because why? It may be a different story as far as how many rabbits are in shelters in the U.S. versus there and so that’s where we like “wha? huh? who? Wha?” about the owners.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

That’s a good point BB -we don’t have any rabbits in danger of euthanasia at any our shelters …They are all no-kill -pts is only for severely disturbed or injured and on vet advice.

Our city pound does euth after four days for mixed bred strays and after eleven for purebreds or those with collars/microchips-> They are first offered to most of the local shelters (those who wish to participate) and if they can’t take them then they are euthed (dog/cat/rabbits/birds-many animals end up as strays).

I’m hoping once we have some adoptions and get going with this that we can participate and take any stray rabbits. At the moment they are going to HS and NASAP.

I am really getting this vibe from people around here though, that people just seem to think they can get an animal and then if they don’t have time for it, pass it off to a shelter to find a perfect home for it. I just don’t get how recyclable they seem to think they are!! I understand that there are circumstances (limited circumstances) where rehoming is perfectly understandable, but seriously if you’ve EVER had to rehome you should think long and hard before getting another pet…some people get and rehome pets all the time.
Something I hear alot is ‘I’m moving to a no-pets building’.

GUESS WHAT? When you have pets you DON”T ever move to a no-pets building period. You shop around you live in your car you move in with family until you can find somewhere that takes them. You went and bought it and raised it and now your going to dump it because your moving? Sorry that’s a major pet peeve of mine….

[Sarita]

I didn’t mean my post to be a reflection on K&K – just a reflection on those people who think that being in a shelter is a better option than not getting enough attention.

Unfortunately K&K what you are saying is true and it’s hard not to feel the way you are describing.

Once you start getting adoptions you will start feeling better about people :~) That is what always makes it worth it.

[Author]

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