Helping Shelter Rabbits Through Education

[MiniLopHop]

I am very interested in helping shelter rabbits through educating both the shelter staff and the public. I have been volunteering at my local SPCA since January. They are very focused on cats and dogs, as this is the largest population served. I am trying to educate staff on proper care of rabbits so this can be passed on during adoptions. My biggest challenge is to help them understand the importance of a spay/neuter program. I would also love to do educational classes for the public.

Has anyone experienced a good shelter program or helped to start one? I would love to know what others are doing.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

All our bunnies are rescues.

 

[JessicaK]

The shelter here doesn't let pets go to their new home unless they are neutered/spayed.

 

[Blue eyes]

MiniLopHop wrote:

I am very interested in helping shelter rabbits through educating both the shelter staff and the public. I have been volunteering at my local SPCA since January. They are very focused on cats and dogs, as this is the largest population served. I am trying to educate staff on proper care of rabbits so this can be passed on during adoptions. My biggest challenge is to help them understand the importance of a spay/neuter program. I would also love to do educational classes for the public.

Has anyone experienced a good shelter program or helped to start one? I would love to know what others are doing.

This is interesting. Almost everyone of my rabbits has come from a rabbit rescue. But from speaking with others, the generic (dog/cat) shelters are generally not at all equipped to handle rabbits. By equipped, I mean that they do not understand rabbits or their proper care, let alone what advice to give prospective adopters.

I know of one case where a young male rabbit was adopted from a shelterthen turned aggressive when hormones kicked in. Neither the shelter not the adopter understood that this was what males can do before they get neutered. So the rabbit was returned and put down as un-adoptable.

The rabbit rescues I've dealt with, on the other hand, have been marvelous with both care and education about their rabbits.

I think it's great that you'd like to make a difference for these poor bunnies. I honestly don't know, though, whether the solution is to attempt to educate the shelter, or encourage the shelter to place all incoming rabbits in the care of a rabbit rescue. :?

 

[MiniLopHop]

Blue eyes, that is exactly my problem! They take in all animals because it is in their charter, but they really don't know much about rabbits. We had a very similar situation earlier this year. A female was turned in because she was in a classroom and started to nip and box. She was labeled as aggressive and listed as only suitable for a child-free home. Luckily a bun-saavy person adopted her and got her spayed so it has a happy ending. She really was a sweet girl when she was out of her cage, so it was just hormones.

I sent a message to the shelter staff to see if they were interested in an educational program for staff and public. We will see what happens.

 

[Blue eyes]

Kudos to you for your efforts. I wish the shelter could form some sort of partnership with a rabbit rescue... but that might put a strain on the rescue if they are already over burdened with too many rabbits.

Hopefully the shelter and staff will be receptive. Rabbits certainly are one of the most misunderstood furries. :goodluck

 

[MiniLopHop]

I have been able to make a partnership with the local HRS (a couple hours away). They are willing to take any rabvbits that have health issues so they are not automatically put down. Perhaps I should see about expanding that to see if they can take in any rabbits that come in and then just refer potential adopters. That might be a much simpler option.

 

[Blue eyes]

:nod

 

[naturestee]

I've been too busy to volunteer at the local humane society much since my daughter was born 2 years ago, but Boz (another RO member) and I have done rabbit-only adoption displays at some of the pet stores, with advertised grooming demonstrations and help (only one person brought her buns in for that). I also did an educational program for the volunteers that took care of animals displayed at the Petsmart so they could take care of the buns properly. I also got calls from the shelter to help potential adoptees introduce their buns to shelter buns, looking for a match.