Update: June 30, 2004

Volunteers Make all the Difference

In a rescue of this magnitude, having reliable volunteers is an absolutely necessary part of successfully caring for the rescued rabbits. In the case of the Hayward Rescue Rabbits, the House Rabbit Society has been lucky enough to have volunteers coming forward with offers to help - not only from their own ranks, but from individuals who have heard about the rescue through other organizations. These dedicated individuals have given so much to help these bunnies - their time, their loving care, their financial support, and more. And, to these dedicated volunteers who are doing so much - all we know to say is, "THANK YOU. We couldn't do this without you."

We have many photos we'd like to share, showing our volunteers at work, as well as the praise that has come in for all they are doing..

Dr. Carolynn Harvey and Zorro, just after his first medical exam. Zorro had just been released from the custody of Hayward Animal Control andresponded beautifully to Dr. Harvey's gentle voice and touch.

Karen examining Richard, the day he arrived at her home from the Hayward Animal Shelter.

Dr. Harvey checks the girls carefully to determine who might be pregnant.

"Thank you so much for all the great work you are doing. It's good to know
that there are people like you in the world."
Kind regards, Andrea Potter

	Dr. Harvey and Francine. For the first time in her life, someone cares for Francine's horrible eye infection.
	Dr. Harvey makes a late-night house call to examine the rabbits the day they were released from the shelter. Here, she works with Frankie.
	Dr. Harvey examines a sweet and docile Samantha.

"Bless you for being strong enough to be involved in rabbit rescue - it breaks my heart when I hear these stories. I can do little things, and each rabbit helped makes me feel better."
Good bunny vibes, Blanche Bounds, Fort Worth, TX

	Phyllis Tenney and Karen redesign the rabbits' indoor pens. Expansion is necessary as more rabbits are arriving from the Hayward Animal Shelter.
Volunteers install play structures in the pens while the bunnies are playing outside. All work is supervised and approved by Barney, Karen's gentle wonder dog.
	Carol Schalla, Justus Pang, and Robin Blew put finishing touches on the pens. Cleaning the pens is no easy task, and must be done often.
Nancy Jennerjohn with a rabbit on her back! Nancy helped with several of the late-night feedings when the rabbits were held at the Hayward Animal Shelter, in the weeks following the rescue.

"There is so much JOY for me in helping these rabbits."
Carol Schalla

"Bless your heart for all you are doing to help the Hayward bunnies."
Kerry Sullivan

	Karen Johanson, groomer extraordinaire, has just finished working with Danny, the weekend he arrived at Karen's home.
	Kerry Sullivan has yet to miss a Saturday grooming session. Here, Kerry can be seen convincing Zorro that he needs a haircut.
	Pam Morrison reassures Frankie that he will never go hungry again. Frankie was the scrawniest of the rescued bunnies.
	Robin Blew and Julie Kramer heard about the Hayward rescue from Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah. They help collect the boys to take them outside to play.

"This is such an amazing thing you are all doing for the buns. I'm pleased to help out in any way I can! Thanks again for giving them your heart and soul. I can tell they appreciate it."
Kelle Kacmarcik

	Kerry Sullivan shares her love of bunnies with little Frankie. Kerry designs and manufactures bunny toys and boxes. Every Saturday, she brings a fresh supply.
Julie Kramer tenderly holds Toby, the first and oldest rabbit to be rescued. (It's estimated he's somewhere between 6 and 10 years old.) He is fragile, and requires gentleness, of which Julie has in abundance.
	Terry Linscott is a regular volunteer at the Martinez shelter, advocating for the rabbits. She finds time in her busy schedule to share her love and devotion to rabbits with the Hayward rabbits. Sombra is grateful for Terry's generosity.
Justus Pang has helped with the bunnies several times. He often arrives at Karen's home straight from the farmer's market with huge bags of fresh carrot tops. Here, he discusses greens with Baxter.

"House Rabbit Society Singapore learned about the plight of the bunnies from Angie recently, and we would like to extend our help. As we believe in a common cause to help the unfortunate bunnies, we hope we can help the other Societies in one way or another. So glad those poor bunnies were rescued by you guys and are happily living together now."
Sanz

Christine Morrissey liberated Lance from the Hayward property one night before Animal Control confiscated the remainder of the rabbits. Thanks to Christine, Lance will always be safe, always have food and medical care, and always have people to love him.

A bunny on every lap makes for happy volunteers; Kelly, Phyllis, Carol, and Justus.

Pam takes Michael for a stroll. Pam Morrison radiates love for the bunnies. Pam arrives every Saturday morning with goodies for the bunnies, and makes certain that each and every one of them gets a treat. This is no easy task, but Pam is a determined woman.

Liane Ko visits Karen's home on a week night to assist in getting the boys in for the night. Here, she casts a bunny-loving spell on an unsuspecting Frankie.

Bunn: Official Quality Control Produce Inspector Bunn lives with volunteer Daisy Huang. Every Sunday, Daisy collects produce at the Mountain View farmers market and drives 65 miles round- trip to deliver fresh carrot tops to the Hayward rabbits. Here, you see Bunn inspecting a pre-delivery shipment . Thank you, Bunn, for all your hard work!

	Carol Schalla happily visits the bunnies every Saturday. She had never held a bunny before and is now considering incorporating a rabbit into her household. Carol absolutely beams when she holds a bunny.
Carol Schalla and Jeanne Silver patiently use their TTouch skills on the bunnies. Every half-hour they have a different bunny on their laps. The bunnies appreciate the tender sessions immensely, as do Carol and Jeanne.
	Jeanne Silver had never held a bunny either. Jeanne is a quick learn and the bunnies appreciate her quiet kindness and tender touch.
At the moment, there is no place that Benton would rather be - than in Yuri Ito's caring arms.

"Thank you for all your work."
Beverley Henderson

Kelle Kacmarcik had never held a bunny before meeting the Hayward group. She read about the rescue online, offer to help, and hasn't missed a Saturday. Kelle has been deeply affected by the magical world of rabbits.

Kelle delights in overseeing the boys during their exercise time in the driveway.

Aimee Ruskewicz and her mother visit on a Saturday afternoon. Aimee discusses the situation with Opie, Karen's free-roaming lagomorph.

	Sam relaxes with Justus Pang.
Karen Johanson grroms Janet the weekend she arrives at Karen's home. Little Janet is one of the sorrier rabbits, and snuggles in Karen's loving arms.
	Phyllis Tenney is quite taken with Lance, spending the better part of an afternoon showing him the tenderness and affection he deserves.
Terry Linscott lovingly assists Sombra with a pedicure. Sweet Sombra has just been spayed and appreciates Terry's rabbit-savvy handling.
	Zorro warmly welcomes Aimee Ruskewicz on her first visit to his warren. Aimee brings boxes for the bunnies to play with, hide in, and destroy.

"I loved being with the bunnies and I hope to come again to do some TTouch and to see how the bunnies are doing. I know there are lots of changes! Thanks for all your loving
care and devotion to the rabbits."
Jeanne Silver

Dr. Carolynn Harvey with Michael. He was released from the Hayward shelter for urgent medical care, due to a  huge genital abscess. Dr. Harvey took him to her home and lovingly treated him for two weeks before he was reunited with his bunny friends.

Dr. Harvey hypnotizes Sombra in preparation for an exam.

Dr. Harvey and Olga relax after an exam. Olga is thus named for her "athletic" abilities.

	Kerry Sulllivan gives Lewis a break from the maddening crowd. Lewis is a gentle boy. He has a eye abscess for which he is receiving treatment. Dr. Harvey believes it is improving.
Kerry Sullivan is helping little Janet with her grooming. Both of Janet's ears had been bitten half off. This quality makes sweet Janet absolutely adorable.

Heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people who continue to send well wishes and words of outrage and support, food, supplies, and financial assistance. The Hayward Rescue Rabbits could not have come this far without you.

We have a special request from those of you who are wondering how you can help the Hayward bunnies. They need more cardboard play houses. The structures provide hours of fun, great exercise, and chewing fun. But, the bunnies go through them faster than we can replace them. If you would like to donate one or more of these great bunny toys, please visit either www.catsandrabbitsandmore.com, or www.bunnyluv.com.

When you order a condo, please have it shipped directly to:

Hayward Rescue Rabbits
c/o House Rabbit Society
148 Broadway
Richmond Ca 94804 

For more information, contact:

Connie Cwynar
ccwynar@comcast.net

Karen Courtemanche
KLCourt@aol.com

- Back to Hayward Rescue Page -