A Little Extra Love…
As a rescue organization we are dedicated to finding homes for rabbits. We don’t make any distinctions among them and think that all rabbits deserve to find a good, loving, forever home. While this is a noble concept, it is one that has been difficult to implement. It is also one that jeopardizes our very existence.
When we pull rabbits from the shelters, we get in all types. All types can mean several things. We take in a variety of different breeds, including Netherland Dwarves, Lops, New Zealands, and mixed-breed rabbits. Some are very social and love people. Others, well, let’s just say they need some work. Then there are rabbits with health problems. Most rabbits are fairly healthy or have minor issues that can easily be solved. Others have more serious issues that may require lifelong care. These may include problems such as: kidney problems, UTIs, molar spurs or poopy butt. Sometimes the rabbits are healthy, but old.
Sadly, most people favor healthy rabbits of certain breeds. This makes us favor pulling them from the shelters. These rabbits are never in any real danger and we often don’t have enough of them. When a cute lop or small bunny arrives, most are placed within a month. This isn’t true for rabbits with health or social issues, or for some types such as large mixed-breed rabbits or New Zealand White rabbits. All the rabbits, especially the not very adoptable ones, deserve a good home. However, these rabbits are very difficult to place. Many people refuse to even meet them, or if they do, claim that they “just didn’t feel a connection”. These rabbits can take over a year to find a home, if they are placed at all. Sometimes we get into situations where a third or half of our cages are filled with tough-to-place rabbits. This, in turn, makes it harder for us to help the shelters because we aren’t getting the turnover that we need.
Many times we have had three or four people interested in the same rabbit. The ones that don’t get the rabbit typically don’t adopt another one. The people who do get the adoption are proud of themselves for saving a life. Not to sound cruel, but they really aren’t. If you want to truly save a life, and in reality, save many lives, choose a less adoptable bunny. How are you saving many lives? Not only do you save the life of the bunny you adopt, but you free up that cage. Since that cage may have been occupied by your new rabbit for several years, indirectly you are helping to save the life of every rabbit that goes through that cage over the next couple of years. It is another available foster space that can safely hold rabbits until they are placed.
What does it take to adopt these rabbits? Most of the time it just takes a little extra love and a willingness to open your heart to an extra special bun. It can be as simple as adopting a wonderful rabbit with a great, outgoing personality who has pink eyes. It can mean taking an older rabbit. It can be a willingness to take a bunny with poopy butt and give him butt baths once a week. It really isn’t that much – and the love you get in return from these rabbits is huge. Caretakers often develop a tighter bond when they are providing extra care for their pets. With older rabbits it can mean leaving yourself open to be hurt when they die. However, you get the satisfaction of knowing you made their last year or two great.
If you aren’t sure about taking an ill rabbit for financial reasons, consider becoming a sanctuary home. You can take in rabbit(s) that are considered too ill to have a good chance of finding a home, and HRN will pay for all the medical bills. You will need to provide the day-to-day care, and of course, the love that these rabbits need.
If you don’t feel you can handle the extra medical issues, then adopt a large mixed breed rabbit or an up-eared rabbit with pink eyes. Most people won’t even consider them. In fact, it is easier to find a home for a lop with health issues, a bad personality and no litter box habits than for a New Zealand White with a great personality, great health and perfect litter box habits. Sad to say, but looks are very important to most people.
A third option is to split the difference. Choose one bunny that you really like, and try pairing him or her with a less adoptable bun. For example, try pairing a lop with an older rabbit or one with pink eyes. This way you will have the type of rabbit that you favor, as well as providing a home for a rabbit that may have never found one. You just might surprise yourself with how the second bun wins your heart.
Next time you are adopting a rabbit, instead of gravitating towards the lops or cute dwarf rabbits, open your eyes and look at the others. All the rabbits deserve a forever home with someone to love them. It takes a special person to provide a home for the less adoptable rabbits and you will truly be doing a good deed. All it takes is a willingness to open your heart and little extra love. Remember, pink eyes are beautiful.
by Trayhan