Another stop at Best Friends Animal Society Bunny House. Surprisingly, I would say this is where I worked the hardest. You don’t think a rabbit would need much, want much or use much but they do!
Michelle showed me how to clean the pens and then it was my job to go down the row. They do this EVERY SINGLE DAY. The rabbits have indoor and outdoor access. Each pen, I was only in one building and there are more, took about 10 minutes to clean out, sweep, wash and replace linens, toys, bowls and litter boxes. Some rabbits were friendly and almost wanted to join in and others shot outside not wanting any part of it. It was, to me, an astounding amount of things needed for them from fresh water to linens and hay and toys. This is only a small part of what happens here.
There are numerous people who help at the Bunny House. There are full time and part time employees, seasonal volunteers and then random volunteers like me. Many of these rabbits came from hoarding situations and some have special needs and each rabbit gets the care they need. Michelle was very adamant too that socializing is part of the job. I sat in the pens, providing treats (the crinkle of the bag had them ready and waiting) and pets. Each rabbit took the treat from my hand as gently as can be.
During the break, I learned that numbers are not tracked for rabbits like they are for cats and dogs but rabbits are the most killed animals in shelters. One employee was very uncompromising in not using the term euthanasia for rabbits and just animals in general and she is right. Euthanasia takes one out of its misery.
Rabbits are killed for space, lack of adopt-ability and the sheer numbers and lack of placement in proper homes. Many vets, I learned, do not have the best training either on rabbits. So while they are cute and cuddly and given as Easter gifts way too often, they get neglected and suffer the consequences. It’s truly sad how many are just randomly dumped outside and they will not survive.
The people here work hard to meet the needs of every single rabbit. They try to pair them up when ready, provide meds when needed and also any special foods. The amount of hay, bedding, washing and drying, food both fresh and standard is just really amazing. Michelle has worked here many years and finally will retire at the end of summer. I applaud her and all the ladies here who are working to give these rabbits the best life possible. They are completely devoted to their jobs and these rabbits could not ask for more other than a proper home. Interested? Do check them out! No bunnies? Maybe Cats at Cat World are up your alley.
