I am Sharon, and this is the story of my bunnies. I am not a breeder, an organized rescue or a shelter.
I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, volunteering one day at an animal shelter.
These bunnies came into my life back in late August. They were part of a surrender of 76 that came from one home.
I saw pictures from Animal Control. They were housed outside in dirty conditions, in any container that they would
fit in. They were in old broken hutches, bird cages, toolsheds and even a few in old grocery carts. I just happened
to be at the shelter when they came in and helped check them in. They were scared and confused, but even then were
easy to handle. Some were even asking for attention and food. They looked relatively healthy and reasonably well fed.
But time was against them. There were already about 50 young rabbits at the shelter, victims of another dump,
plus the usual number of adults that come in one by one. The shelter was also housing a huge number of kittens
that had not yet been adopted from the spring. There was literally no room. Animals were everywhere.
The bunnies had to go.
I was able to take 24. I wish I could have saved more, but as it is, we’re up to our ears in ears! Now they are
ready for adoption, babies and adults, and I’m looking for great homes with loving parents. After all they’ve been
through, they deserve no less.
A lot of people have asked if I would do it again. I guess I’m an idiot, because yes, I’m tired, stressed, and broke.
Its been a real strain on my time, strength and resources. At times its been terrifying and heartbreaking. But I
would do it again. Seeing these lovely creatures happily bounding around their exercise pens, watching the babies
nursing, seeing them explore their world for the first time, seeing the adults discover eating grass, are experiences
that have been unforgettably rewarding. I've seen our shy guys go from running away to eagerly asking for carrots.
Just knowing they are safe and happy is a tremendous motivation, and I manage to find just a little more strength.
And I've discovered things about the human world. A number of people have come forward and given us support, food,
money! I would especially like to thank Sara, who has come over to help us care for the rabbits almost every day,
and even spent her nights driving us to the emergency vet when I was too tired. And Evan, a 10 year old boy who
wrote a wonderful article about my bunnies that will lead to some adoptions. We could not have done it without
all of you.
My hero of heroes is my man, Jeff. When I called him in tears to tell him the rabbits were out of time, all he said
was,"How many?" He simply pitched in and together we saved them. He has worked side by side with me, hauled 50 lb bags
of pellets, ended up wearing bunny medicine, toted bales of hay, and held me when I was too tired to go on. He made
dandelion burritos for Homer, and set up x-pens and when I was sick, cleaned all the litterboxes without complaint. And
he sings to them, and cuddles them and tells them what good bunnies they are. At first he was doing it for me, but
really,he cares as much as I do. He has never criticised me for taking them on, but he will when he finds this paragraph,
so it may not last long on this page. Thank you, honey, I'm so lucky to have you -- and the bunnies know it too.
Sweet bunnies, we have so enjoyed being with you, and watching you blossom in both body and spirit. Now it is time
to move on to even better times, and share that joy with new families. I will miss you, but I hope to always be a
part of you, as you will always be with me.