Dear Friends of the Rabbit Center,
Welcome to our third “Fair Share for Rabbits” Newsletter. This newsletter
is intended to provide information on the rabbits at many of our Bay Area
animal shelters. The “Fair Share for Rabbits” program is growing; two
volunteers (Terry Linscott and Gina Brennan) are currently putting together
packets of literature, forms, handouts, and posters for participating animal
shelters, which will hopefully help shelter staff and volunteers with rabbit
care and adoptions. We are also finalizing a program whereby volunteers for
shelters that need it can pick up hay for their rabbits, at no cost, from
participating feed stores. Hopefully both of these new programs will be
finalized before the end of the month.
If you can get involved in a shelter near you, the rabbits, the staff, and
the fantastic shelter outreach volunteers can sure use your help. Please
contact them below if you can be of assistance!.
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Fairmont Animal Control:
Fairmont Animal Shelter has been having its share of challenges lately. We
received a bunny with a broken rear leg who needed immediate placement due
to her injuries. Fortunately, Marcy Schaff at Saveabunny, the San
Francisco/Marin chapter of HRS, came to Morgan's rescue and moved her in
with several other special needs rabbits in Mill Valley. She is doing very
well there, and we're hoping to find her a good home soon!
We have a second bunny named Mathilda, who is big, brown, gorgeous, and
sweet. However, she's frightened at the shelter and can be cage protective.
Both she and Morgan need homes with special people who can give them the
love and security they need. Can you help these two lovely girls?
Fairmont has other, more easily adoptable rabbits who are thriving under the
excellent care provided by the staff and volunteers in San Leandro. If you
would like to join this team of dedicated people or would like to meet the
bunnies, please contact us!
Karen Johanson
Rabbit Volunteer-Fairmont Shelter
KJohanson@MENKE.com
http://www.fofas.org/display.php?menutype=others
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Berkeley Animal Care Services:
Berkeley Animal Care Services (BACS) has had an amazingly good run lately on
rabbit adoptions. This is due, in no small measure, to the stability of the
staff at the shelter. Even though the rabbit caretaker changes from week to
week, the caretakers in rotation are always the same and very good with the
bunnies. Several tasks that I performed on a weekly basis, are now routinely
carried out by staff: nail clippings, water bottle
cleaning, combing. The cages are cleaner and the bunnies are more
presentable (I still have to clean dirty bottoms and feet!).
To the degree that the staff has been incredibly responsive to training,
more bunnies are adopted. I only take veggies and hay every week and check
on pellets and conditions of the bunnies and habitat. It's a win-win
situation. The monthly "bunnies and bagels" program that I instituted there
for staff and general public, is off to a good start even though the program
is still in infancy.
After lobbying shelter management for almost a year to increase the adoption
fee on rabbits, a proposed increase to $25 from $5 is scheduled to be
approved by the Citizen Humane Commission in the near future (November, I
hope). There were no objections from the board or city council members. Even
if their motives are more economic than altruistic, I couldn't be happier
about the change.
Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society is still refusing to take in bunnies at
this time. Any suggestions or support from HRS members regarding a change in
this anti-bunny policy, will be greatly appreciated. Please email
judy@rabbitears.org.
Judy Hardin
Rabbit Volunteer-Berkeley Shelter
judy@encounterbooks.com
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/animalservices/adopt.html
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Hayward Animal Shelter:
Since other people gave numbers in the last newsletters, let me try to give
you an idea of what Hayward takes in. Over this summer, we had probably
20-25 very young bunnies (2-4 mos.) come in, and maybe another 10-15 adults.
Of these, 4 went to HRS, I rescued and found homes for 2 adults, and 2 were
adopted from the shelter. To the best of my
knowledge, all the rest were put down. All were extremely adoptable,
healthy, cute rabbits. For instance, by the time the last update came out,
most of the bunnies I mentioned had been put down. In the off-season, far
fewer bunnies come in, and most of those put down are "mean bunnies"
(probably about 10 last year). However, I have handled all of those "mean"
bunnies and found very few to be actually aggressive; in fact, the shelter
was about to put down one of the nicest bunnies I've ever met because they
were frightened by his exuberant friendliness (just by luck, I found out in
time and he now has a good home). The shelter has 4 permanent cages and will
bring out temporary ones if necessary, but their limit is 5 bunnies total.
Drop-offs have now slowed
down a little, and adoptions seem to be starting up again. We currently have
3 very large bunnies and one cute little dwarf at the shelter. There are
probably about 20 bunnies in foster homes (me and one other person); neither
of us can take any more. Thanks to Marcy for finding a wonderful foster home
for the fuzzy lop.
Elizabeth Berg
Rabbit Volunteer-Hayward Animal Shelter
elizabethberg@earthlink.net
http://www.ci.hayward.ca.us/webware/Default.aspx?Message=209&t=-1
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Oakland Animal Services:
The Oakland City Shelter is fortunate to have a small but very committed
crew of designated Rabbit Volunteers. The shelter is understaffed so
cleaning and maintenance oftentimes is done by volunteers, leaving
precious little time for one on one with the rabbits. We are actively
seeking a few more solid volunteers, not to work but to spend quality
time with the rabbits; holding them, playing with them and monitoring
them in the outdoor run. If you have as little as two spare hours of
love per week to share with these deserving animals, we would be
thrilled to hear from you.
Presently, our greatest need is foster homes for two pairs of bonded
boys. The first pair, Bouncer and Trooper, are little boys too young
to be fixed. They are bonded and we are determined that they will be
adopted together. They are friendly, curious little heart breakers.
The second bonded pair, in much greater need, are Otis and Franklin.
Otis has 2 large abscesses which need to be treated every day. Otis was
treated at VCA in October. They were moved to a home but treatment has
proved too challenging for the good Samaritan who took them in. Otis and
Franklin are about a year old and play wonderfully together. OAS
volunteers will pay to have them fixed as soon as Otis's wounds improve.
Please, if you have experience treating abscesses, contact us immediately.
Oakland Animal Services is in the process of hiring a full time
veterinarian. The current doctor is part time and, due to severe
allergies, cannot treat rabbits. Therefore, we rely on the generosity of
volunteer veterinarians, Dr. Harvey, Dr. Kim and Dr. Singer. Also,
thanks to the tireless efforts of SaveABunny's own Marcy Schaaf, we will
soon welcome Dr. Bing, a SF veterinarian who will contribute spay and
neuter services to the OAS rabbits. Sincerest thanks to all of you.
If you only have 5 minutes to help a shelter bunny, please visit our
CafePress shop and buy a mug or tee shirt (or both!).
http://www.cafepress.com/hop%20to%20adopt
Every penny goes to better the lives of the rabbits at Oakland Animal
Services.
On behalf of the rabbits at Oakland Animal Services
The OAS Rabbit Volunteer Team
Connie Cwynar and Tim Burns
c.cwynar@sbcglobal.net
http://www.oaklandanimalservices.org/index.php?z=4
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Alameda Animal Services:
"Rabbit Row" at the City of Alameda Animal Shelter is at the bursting point.
All bunny kennels at the shelter are full and there is no unoccupied space
at any of our foster homes. We desperately need to find homes for some of
the bunnies, as the only alternative is... well, you know.
Please visit our bunnies on-line at Virtual Pet Adoptions and at California
Shelter Rabbits. Do you have room in your heart and home for anybun?
Rich Sievers
Volunteer Rabbit Wrangler
City of Alameda Animal Shelter
www.RabbitRow.org
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San Jose Animal Care Center:
There are at least 15 buns at the San Jose shelter at any given time; and
right now, there are at least 19. Pictures and descriptions of all the
wonderful bunnies are kept up to date at:
http://www.saveabunny.com/shelters/. They include 3 highly adoptable
bunnies who are on the shelter rescue list and need immediate rescue:
- 483552 - Small exquisite satiny black curly Rex male who is easy to handle
and has good litterbox habits
- 487222 - Big and beautiful white with lots and lots of black spots (sort
of a dalmation of bunnies) intact male who is friendly, likes to be petted
and is pretty good with his litterbox.
- 486834 - Young small striking black colored Dutch male bunny who likes to
be petted and is also pretty good with his litterbox.
The vast number of bunnies at the shelter and bunnies needing rescue require
fosterers and volunteers. A few foster setups are available - they are just
missing the human. Volunteers to man a HRS table in shifts are desperately
needed for an adoption fair on Saturday, 11/12, from 9am to 9pm. We also
desperately need a few regular volunteers who can spend a couple hours a
week to prevent highly adoptable buns from uneccessarily being put on the
rescue list by socializing the buns (to ensure they pass a tough temperament
test), grooming (to prevent medical rejections for eye discharge or dirty
forelimbs), providing much needed TLC, and bringing in some vegetables.
We are excited about the shelter funding $750 for a grassroots bunny
adoption and SJ shelter marketing campaign. We plan to distribute 50 sets
of a SJ shelter/bunny adoption poster in an acrylic frame to bunny-saavy
vets and pet stores. Please pass along high traffic places in the South Bay
you think would be good to have such setups.
We almost forever lost 11 buns last week but amazing work by Marcy at
SaveABunny and Heather and Stefan from Rabbit Haven got all 11 buns out at
the last minute. Relief and heartfelt appreciation go out to them and an
army of others who transported and fostered!
If you would like to be part of this great mission of bunny mercy, please
contact Anna Kim, the HRS SJ shelter outreach volunteer, at akim@cisco.com
or (408) 315-1132.
Anna Kim
Rabbit Volunteer-San Jose City Shelter
akim@cisco.com
http://www.sanjoseanimals.com/adoptProgram.asp
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Marin Humane Society:
Marin Humane Society currently just brought up 2 sweet, friendly and
adorable light gray male neutered dwarf rabbits. They look alike but are
not bonded. Malika, a spayed female bunny whose brown colors change from
time to time is very sweet and loves to be pet for the longest time. There
are an additional 6 wonderful rabbits looking for forever homes.
Debra Mendelsohn
Rabbit Volunteer
tahniem@aol.com
Marcy Schaaf
Chapter Manager
SaveABunny, San Francisco/ Marin House Rabbit Society
www.saveabunny.com
http://www.marin-humane.org/main_adoptions.html#Small
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San Francisco Animal Care and Control:
San Francisco Animal Care and Control (SFACC) is experiencing major
overcrowding at this time. At one point last week, there were 19 rabbits and
the maximum number of rabbits they want on site is 8-9. We are extremely
grateful for the extension of the deadline to euthanize these rabbits.
We have been able to reduce the number to 11 by shelter transfers of the
most adoptable rabbits within our Chapter network and by taking into rescue
some of the less adoptable rabbits---including a tiny, underage baby dwarf
and an adorable, older dwarf with a very serious malocclusion (we will need
to raise about $800 to have his teeth pulled).
There are also a majority of white bunnies at the shelter resulting a lack
of variety, which could make adoptions even more difficult that usual. The
adoption rate at SFACC is quite low, and the majority of rabbits leave the
shelter via rescue through our Chapter. We need help with foster homes and
adoption for the white rabbits. Each is sweet, loving and deserving of a
good home. Without rescue help , they will be euthanized, because of
overcrowding at the shelter. . Please contact me if you are interested in
helping.
Marcy Schaaf
Chapter Manager
SaveABunny, San Francisco/ Marin House Rabbit Society
415-388-2790 or saveabunny@aol.com
www.saveabunny.com
http://www.sfgov.org/site/acc_page.asp?id=6610
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Palo Alto Animal Services:
Palo Alto Animal Services continues to deal with a "dumping" situation of
white rabbits in poor condition being abandoned in a local park. Each month
there is a group of about 15-20 rabbits being left in poor condition in the
park. The local news has covered this story, but so far, there are no
witnesses and no information about where these rabbits are coming from.
Unfortunately, most of these rabbits have to be euthanized for either
medical reasons or because of shelter overcrowding.
Several sweet and loving rabbits, including a spayed female have been at the
shelter since the end of July and will be at high risk for euthanasia if not
adopted or rescued soon. If you would like to help volunteer with this
shelter, by taking pictures and posting descriptions for the Fair Share
shelter program, please let me know. The staff is very friendly and helpful
at this shelter and this shelter has the opportunity to be of service to a
wider number of rabbits with more help from the public.
Contact Marcy at 415-388-2790 or saveabunny@aol.com.
Marcy Schaaf
Chapter Manager
SaveABunny
San Francisco/ Marin House Rabbit Society
www.saveabunny.com
415-388-2790
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Watsonville Animal Shelter:
The Watsonville Animal Shelter finally had more rabbits go out of the
shelter than came in last month thanks to Rabbit Haven's Adopt-a-thons, the
Marcy Schaaf/HRS rescue of Aero, and the pending rescue of Rebecca by Karen
Courtemanche/HRS. Just in time for the Christmas dumps. As of November 1st,
we are more manageable. We have 10 rabbits with space for 6. A new rabbit
volunteer has also started who has a natural ability with the rabbits and a
bonded pair that had been at the shelter since May were finally adopted.
We also had Marcy come and teach a "Rabbit Class" through the fair-share
program. It was attended by 15 people. Most of them are cat volunteers at
the shelter. Our shelter had a lot of cat volunteers that wanted to work
with the rabbits but did not feel comfortable with them. Marcy's class gave
everyone a better understanding of a rabbit's personality and increased
everyone's interest in the bunnies. I even had other volunteers and staff
request an additional class because they were unable to make that one. I
highly recommend it to other shelters as a way to get rabbit volunteers and
foster homes from within their current shelter.
Lara Walker
Rabbit Volunteer-Watsonville Shelter
http://www.scanimalservices.us/rescue4.htm
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Peninsula Humane Society:
In October I was asked to do a trainning class at the shelter for several
new animal care technicians and vet techs. The class went very well and
everyone was very receptive in learning about rabbits. We covered basic
care, how to approach a rabbit in a cage, cage set up, and several other
important things.
I trained one new volunteer who will be helping me on Saturday with the
rabbits at the shelter. Linda doesn't have a rabbit but she was very eager
to learn about them. She never even had pets growing up. She has become
more comfortable picking the rabbits up and each week she continues to
improve her skills.
The last Friday in October the shelter ask me to take a rabbit down to
channel 7 TV to be on Perfect Pet of the Week. We brought a darling Dutch
bunny by the name of Orville. When we got to the station we found out we
had been preempted. The station really likes us especially when we bring a
rabbit and we have made some nice friends. They were kind enough to tape
the segment to air the following day.
On Oct. 31, I celebrated my 15th year of volunteering at Peninsula Humane
Society. It has been very rewarding to see the many great changes and
progress in the care of our rabbits.
We have several New Zealand white rabbits at our shelter who are in need of
homes. Mario a very energetic white lop who was adopted and then returned
because of a new baby in the family. Ricky, Henry and Boo all are single
boys needing a home.
You can look on are web site www.peninsulahumanesociety.org.
Donna Jensen
Peninsula Humane Society
www.peninsulahumanesociety.org
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Humane Society of Silicon Valley:
The Humane Society of Silicon Valley is dealing with two cat collector
cases---one with 50 cats and the other with 80 cats, which is straining
shelter resources. Consequently, rabbits who have been at the shelter the
longest, or ones who are not especially adoptable, are at high risk of
euthanasia because of space and resources constraints. Several rabbits who
would otherwise have been put down, are now in SaveABunny foster within the
past two weeks, including a dwarf baby with a malloclusion ,
http://www.saveabunny.com/specialneeds2.php?id=599, and two mini-rex
females, one at SaveABunny http://www.saveabunny.com/available2.php?id=601
and a pretty B/ W spayed girl one who went to HRS in Richmond.
The Humane Society of Silicon Valley is in need of rabbit lovers to
volunteer and visit, socialize and take pictures of the shelter rabbits for
this Fair Share For Rabbits program. The shelter is a high volume shelter
with hundreds of rabbits each year. With consistent volunteer support you
will help to save many rabbit lives each year!
The shelter has made positive changes in the care of rabbits thanks to
interest by shelter staff and the guidance of Heather of the Rabbit Haven
and SaveaBunny, the SF/ Marin HRS. New volunteers are now needed to help the
shelter promote their adoptable rabbits and advocate for programs and
services to help the rabbits in their care. You will make a big difference
with your help.
Contact info for the shelter is as follows:
http://www.hssv.org/
Humane Society Silicon Valley
2530 Lafayette Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
408-727-3383
Marcy Schaaf
Chapter Manager
SaveABunny
San Francisco/Marin House Rabbit Society
www.saveabunny.com
415-388-2790
Please visit http://shelters.saveabunny.com/ and
http://www.rabbit.org/rabbit-center/fair_share/index.htm to find out more
about Bay Area shelters and to see rabbits from shelters all over the Bay
Area. Thank you for your compassion and caring!
The HRS Fair Share for Rabbits Team
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