Rescue: Arcardia Florida 40+ rabbits

[katadvokat]

cross post on behalf Little Miracles Rabbit Rescue

"I received a telephone call from a couple in Arcadia, Florida who had bought a pair of bunnies from Tractor Supply in Port Charlotte (who believe me, has gotten a peice of my mind on so many occasions, it's not even funny) - and now the inevitable situation has occured:


These folks bought a male/female pair, and apparently didn't know anything, because several months later they now have in the ballpark of 40 rabbits. Some very young babies, approximately 15 "adult" females, and approximately 12 "adult" males, and they stated they are willing to give a "sizable" donation for rescue to get them out of there. Apparently some of the rabbits have gotten loose and there's a bobcap coming onto the property to eat them.

My rescue has just assisted a shelter with a massive guinea pig seizure - I have NO ROOM for these rabbits. I do have several pending adoptions and could potential make room for up to, say, FIVE, but otherwise, I have NO room at all.

I am contacting other area rescues and shelters, and I am willing to drive as far as the Carolinas myself to aid with transport on any day I have off.

I know that not all rescues tend to work together, but this situation is going to get rapidly MORE out of hand if these rabbits do not get taken. I can have each rabbit spayed/neutered for about $40 - if rescues can't get any decent price on spays/neuters, I'll get them fixed before transport. But I literally have no place to hold the bunnies for more than a day or two to transport... so I need to know if you have anyone with available cages, foster space, play pens, and shelters, rescues or otherwise equipt people to house a bunny (or ten) or anyone willing to transport.
Supposedly the rabbits are now sexed and seperated (except the young babies), but I have no idea what the state is. Our vet WILL fix pregnant rabbits if need be, but I'm sure everyone will agree this is a situation that will blow to epic proportions in no time if nothing is done.

If you know ANY rescue or shelter group in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas or beyond, or anyone driving NORTH up the East Coast, who can transport bunnies - I will do my best to get out there today (I was in the hospital the last few days, I'm both pregnant and sick, but I'll do my best) - to photograph the situation and sex and seperate further, check the health condition. From what the callers have told me, the rabbits are all younger than 8 months old. I will get more info on breed/size, etc and try to get photos ASAP.

I hope that, even if you are not an associate of our rescue, that you will recognize that this situation is a RABBIT problem, and these rabbits need help. Our rescue is merely the one that recieved that call, and is willing to do as much physical labor and transport as necessary.

Anyone traveling into the area to assist with transport is welcome to stay at my home overnight if need be. I will do whatever possible to make sure these rabbits are pulled as soon as possible and taken to shelters or rescues where they will be safe. PLEASE CONTACT US AT LITTLEMIRACLESRR ATAOL DOT COM ASAP if you can take EVEN ONE of these bunnies for foster (for us, or for another rescue). We have some cages, which are not great, but we are more than happy to give them away to anyone who needs them to aid with this rescue.

Little Miracles Rabbit Rescue 941 240 6412 or littlemiraclesrr AT aol DOT com "

 

[slavetoabunny]

I am with Gainesville Rabbit Rescue. While, like most rescues, we are 110% full, but we may be able to assist with some transport north if you can place them. Thank you for helping.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

ray:

 

[katadvokat]

Thank you Patti! Did you email this Rescue? I'm actually not affliated with them (I'm in Australia!) just getting the info out there.

I believe the web address above is incorrect though people should be automatically redirected to http://www.littlemiraclesrr.org

cross posting some updates below

"Melissa and Kristie assessed the situation at noon on 8/4/10. There are several rabbits who have already escaped the makeshift pens and cages they are using, and several have been found dead on the property, others are presumed lost or dead. :-(

There are 36 currently in "custody" in dog pens, chicken coops and tiny (TINY) wire cages. Two wire cages housing babies are covered in flies and have a thick layer of wet rabbit poop and urine under them, and each house approximately 12 babies around 8 weeks old. They were supposedly sorted by sex, but there's no telling if the people accurately sexed them. We need to get them seperated ASAP before they start reproducing or killing each other. The cages is maybe 1' x 2' and has about a dozen bunnies in it!!

There's five larger male bunnies in a dog pen, digging deep holes in the ground. Before we could stop him, theman poured water down the hole to flush the rabbits out, and all the wet, pathetic looking males came out of the hole - but at least we know we can get them! They are all muddy and filthy with long nails but appear a healthy weight. Those five bunnies are about 6 - 7 lbs, but all the other rabbits look much smaller.

There's about ten bunnies who need to be rounded up that are loose in large chicken coops and runs, but the couple and their son[edited] said they will round them up as the sun's going down because the rabbits come out to feed. They are reasonably certain they have only females housed together in the large runs. We were unable to spot any of these bunnies because in the high noon heat, the rabbits were hiding under buildings within the runs. :-(

Here's some photos of these poor bunnies... please call at 941 240 6412 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 941 240 6412 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or text me at 941 726 0092 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 941 726 0092 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and email littlemiraclesrr AT aol DOT com if you can help in ANY way.

There's a chip in HERE:http://littlemiracles.chipin.com/massive-arcadia-rescue

and we will share all donations with any rescuers who can help. Anyone who can transport more than 5 bunnies or guinea pigs, we will give you gas $$ for your trip!!"



"If you're on facebook, take a look at the album full of photos...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1396332&id=1039851273#!/album.php?aid=2063749&id=1039851273



Otherwise, I'll post a few here. THESERABBITSARENOTSAFEYET. Every moment they are not rescued, they are sitting in 90+ degree heat and at risk for escaping and being killed as several ALREADYHAVE. There are bobcats and hawks waiting for a quick snack! :-( :-( :-(

They are literally NOTSAFEuntil we pull them... so please help.

Please help us help these bunnies. If you can't actually house them or transport them, please chip in towards gas, and the spays/neuters so we can transport them to safety! http://littlemiracles.chipin.com/massive-arcadia-rescue"

"We now have FIFTEEN of the THIRTY SIX spoken for.

We still need to find fosters for 21 bunnies in the Florida area. If you know ANYONE who can help, please have them email us : "