Rabbits on CL are going to get worse as the Easter season approaches.
If you want to help with rescuing rabbits I agree with the above said, but want to add personal tidbits:
I "started" after receiving my first bunnies. It didn't take long in my community to find many rabbits in need after people realized I'm "crazy" and keep them as pets or rehomed them to pet homes (altered, so no breeding abilities) instead of meat products.
For a while I tried my hand in "rescuing" by taking pets in that were in need. The trouble is, in this area it is very hard to find pet homes. I have a huge network of friends throughout the state, but it was not uncommon for the bunnies to be transported upwards of 200 miles to find responsible homes.
That isn't a deterrant, but did impact my "selection" of ones to save. My criteria had to go to those in immediate probability of euthanasia, those in deplorable conditions and those in need of medical care that would otherwise not receive it unless I stepped in.
I'm not above emailing Craigs List posters about this forum. I dont agree with people posting CL bunnies here where scathing remarks *may* happen, because in all honesty, the CL posters may stumble upon the site when looking for rehoming options. My intent when directing people here is to help get the word out on the bunnies here, in a rabbit loving community.
Through word of mouth people now *know* me when it comes to area rabbits and at times I'm contacted about some in need. I'm currently "on alert" about one with an eye issue that may be dropped off at a local feed store. A store employee called me about the rabbit once the owner contacted them and I've agreed to take it in BECAUSE it may very well need vet assistance. Had the rabbit been perfectly healthy I probably would have passed it up because I can't save them all and with the economy as it is (in this area a major employer just laid off 102 people in their first wave of 2009 layoffs) responsibly rehoming will be a pain for me, as an individual.
That just said - narrowing down my "intakes" so severely is also key to one important thing: What if I am unable to rehome the rabbit? Am I in a position to keep the animal long term - or indefinantly? If I have to honestly say no at the time, that has to be taken into immediate consideration.
IMHO I'd truely think about those you want to work with. Perhaps set criteria (such as red eyed white bunnies, giant breeds, older bunnies, blind bunnies, tooth issue bunnies, splayed bunnies) and go from there.
Everyone seems to have a breed (or breeds) they admire the most. I know I sure do but at the same time I want to seperate myself from "rescuing" a rabbit just based on looks or breed preference. Those easier to move are great to help BUT if you could move them fast - couldn't the original poster trying to rehome?
To me thats more like "flipping" an animal and a lot of financial responsibility (spay/neuter) could be lost if you cannot reclaim your vetting fees (I rarely get half back on any fully vetted rabbit I work with) and I've come to realize the money I LOSE on rabbits such as those could have gone to more extreme emergency type cases in order to restore health to those in dire need.
Establish a relationship with a vet, or a few vets in your area who work with rabbits. You may be suprised at discounts given for bringing in multiple rabbits, or for helping boost their rabbit clientel.
Keep vet records in order. There are many well meaning "rabbit watchdog groups" that want to make sure individuals doing "rescue" work are true to their dedication and not just going at in a half hearted manner. These groups can be beneficial in the end in some cases, especially as your name gets established and you want to expand in your desire to help.
In all, I guess, it's NOT about the quantity you save, but the quality in which you enrich the lives of those you do take in, work with, and ultimately rehome.
