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Neglected Rabbits
Topic Started: Apr 23 2014, 01:26 PM (119 Views)
louierabbit
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Get the Duct Tape, Stat!
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I don't know if this is being posted in the right forum or not so go ahead and move it if you need to.

Anyways...I was cleaning out an old family friend's rabbit cages the other day. He has three netherland dwarfs. I filled 2 and a half 5 gallon buckets up from ONE cage with poop. The other took 3 buckets to get out all the poop. That was how disgusting it was. The rabbits didn't have a square inch of space to go without stepping in their own feces. He told me he hadn't cleaned it out all winter, but it had clearly been much longer than that because there was composted poop. I think they call it "black gold" in the gardening world. It was so filthy I had to wear a particle mask to be able to breathe.

That wasn't even the worst part. Their water was brown from poop soaking in it. The part that made me want to scream was what he was feeding these animals. He was feeding them cow food. It was like a mixture of crushed corn and whole corn. Rabbits aren't even supposed to have corn and this was all that was available for them to eat. I cleaned the cages to the best of my ability but there was still poop stuck to the cage floor and walls.

I need help to get these poor rabbits out of his care. There's a place near where I live called Critter Camp. They really are an awesome organization. They house all kinds of animals that nobody else wants because they are sick, old, or aggressive. The owners are an adult woman and her two children - her daughter, and her autistic child. They take care of these animals in their home. I've been there and the cages are clean and the animals are all spayed and neutered. She has animals like fennec foxes, arctic foxes, hedgehogs, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, etc. Their rabbits live in a large room in a heated barn together, free range. They are all spayed and neutered. To run this facility she needs over 300$ every week and she runs strictly on donations. She is completely full right now but she's my only hope. She told me that if I can get all three rabbits spayed and neutered, she'll make room for them.

As you know, I'm working on getting my own rabbits spayed and neutered. It's expensive (75 for boys and 95 for girls) and I don't have the money for my rabbits and three extras. So what do I do? Do I set up a fundraiser for people to donate to get them fixed? I really have no clue what to do, I just NEED to get those rabbits out of there.

:help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help:
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sidd-says-gimme
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sidd says stay gold
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Poor things. Is this person willing to let the rabbits go? Is it possible for you to make room for them yourself, then either save up for their spay/neuter or fix the bunnies up and rehome them to a better place?
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louierabbit
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Get the Duct Tape, Stat!
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I don't any room for them because none of them are bonded. He's a family friend (or was) and I've gotten rabbits from him before so if I just say I want them or my friend wants them, he'll give them to me and then I can give them somewhere. I can't take them until I have for sure homes for them to go. They are not bonded and they are not friendly (at all) so they need someone who is willing to deal with unsocial rabbits. Shelters would just put them down because they aren't pet material. That's why I need Critter Camp to take them.
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ZRabbits
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Is there anyway you and your friend can help by splitting them between you both? Rabbits can live by themselves and maybe them being by themselves you can work to socialize them. Once socialized, you can then look for "furever" homes. Socializing a rabbit to you, definitely makes a lot of difference. Helped me with Molly's food aggression. She hasn't "mouthed" me once in the morning since I worked with her "social morning" skills.

Don't know about a fundraiser, other than asking friends to help out. Maybe there is someone else you know that could take in one of the rabbits temporarily?

Critter Camp sounds like a good idea, but unfortunately it's full and neutering/spaying needs to be done before they go.

Also, how about working with the friend, who does have the rabbits, and helping him not only to learn the value of a sanitary crate, but also how to socialize his rabbits. Your friend would definitely get a lot more out of the relationship with the rabbits.

Tough situation. And I don't envy your position.

KAZ
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NeuBunny
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Where are you? Are you connected to local 4H at all? This time of year lots of 4H kids looking for rabbits - if you connect with a local 4H rabbit leader they may know of some kids who would be delighted to have them.
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louierabbit
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Get the Duct Tape, Stat!
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I'm in Byron, IL (close to Rockford, IL). @ZRabbits, I've tried to talk to him. He's an old man that shouldn't be taking on these animals anymore. He doesn't have the strength or energy for it. I've talked to him a number of times as this isn't the first time I've noticed. I can't take on anymore rabbits right now as I don't have the time for it. Well, more specifically, I don't have the time to socialize with them. I believe two are bonded together and the other is aggressive. They are purebred netherlands with no vienna markings. One is black with circles around the yes and the other two are orange with circles as well. I have no cluse what genders they are but he hasn't had babies. If one of you knows a breeder near me who could take them?

I've done a fundraiser before when my cat was hit by a car. He is a pet cat who I love very much. Anyways, his back leg was dragging behind him because he couldn't use it anymore and I needed 1,000 dollars for an amputation. I refused to put him to sleep because he had literally just turned a year old. He was still a very young cat. I got 1,000 dollars from the fundraiser and got him his amputation and now I have a 3-legged cat who can still do everything a 4-legged cat can do.

I just don't know if anybody will donate to rabbits because nobody really knows how good of animals they really are.

Hmph. :(
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ZRabbits
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Good to hear all went well with the fundraiser for your cat, but today it's tough. People are strapped and to be honest, bunnies are a bit new regarding pets compared to cats. Economy definitely not helping. Looking for our new pup, can really see how bad the economy is hurting people, with the amount of surrenders. Truly sad.

Neubunny really had a good idea. I would look to contact the 4-H leaders in your State. Definitely 4-H bunny projects going on now as the 4-H shows will be gearing up to really start. Good people in these groups. Definitely would take good care of this older gentleman's rabbits.

KAZ

Here's the link to the website.

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/
Edited by ZRabbits, Apr 25 2014, 03:49 AM.
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NeuBunny
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The rabbits sound like purebred Netherlands - orange and black otter (assuming the black also has a white or cream tummy).

Another option would be to take them to an ARBA show near you and sell to a breeder. Lots of 4H kids frequenting shows this time of year looking for rabbits to show.

Look here for a list of shows near you...
https://www.arba.net/showsSearch.php

Show secretaries may also be able to put you in touch with local Netherland breeders who might be willing to take them in.

Edited by NeuBunny, Apr 25 2014, 07:21 AM.
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louierabbit
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Get the Duct Tape, Stat!
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I think I'm gonna do the 4-H idea. How do I get in touch with a 4-H leader? I'm not very tech savy. Where do I go on that website to find the leaders?
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ZRabbits
Love My Lions!
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Seems like the link is not working. Even went and did a search, so it's completely down, and not just down on this forum.

Once it's back on-line, all I would do is go to the "contact" section, find an e-mail address or phone number and call. Ask for the person you should talk to regarding helping 4-H children obtain rabbits. And go from there.

If you don't want to wait for the website to get back on-line, I'd call information or find a phone book (cheaper) and find a number to call. You won't get the right person your first call, but should be directed to that person that could possibly help.

Also a ND Club could help too.

http://www.andrc.com/Membership.php

KAZ
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