This is a graphic, but important story. Please read and share. We are doing all we can to help these babies and are deeply grateful for your support!
On the evening of December 24, 2014 nineteen baby "meat " rabbits were saved from death at the hands of a meat rabbit breeder in Sacramento. These innocent, trusting 7 week old babies were being sold as "imperfect" snake food or for human food. Housed on filthy wire cages and separated from their mothers they had been attacked by at least one dog and had most of their toes chewed off through the wire cage bottom.
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Rudolph, shown below,is the most seriously injured baby and has almost one entire foot missing. He was suffering from shock, malnutrition and pain. Rudolph is in very guarded condition and it is a day-by-day process of his being able to recover or not. He has a deep infection in two feet and will require extensive reconstructive surgery and possible amputation. All four feet were seriously injured. He is on antibiotics, pain meds and is getting Reiki and alternative healing, which has dramatically improved his quality of life. We spend a lot of extra time giving him kisses, reassurance and the type of "mothering and nurturing' that he so desperately needs. We have seen many times that traumatized and abused rabbits need to "connect" with a caregiver in order for them to want to survive. Without trust, love and feeling safe rabbits can and do shut down.
SaveABunny became involved when we responded to a plea for help from Second Chance Bunnies located near the breeder in Sacramento and agreed to help by taking in the six most injured rabbits from the group Rudolph, Holiday, Hermey (Rudolph's buddy),Flurry, Yukon and Clarice. Their pictures are shown later in this post.
We are working closely with Team Fur in Sacramento, House Rabbit Society (emergency $500 grant received--THANK YOU!) and Second Chance Bunnies to determine if charges can be filed against the breeder. he problem is that it is difficult to get photos or "receipts" when doing undercover work as Janet from Second Chance needed to do to get these bunnies to safety.
Hermey (shown in two photos above) is a baby boy and Rudolph's best friend. Three of his feet are very injured as you can see from the photos. He is at SaveABunny.
Holiday (shown below) is a baby girl and is the next most injured baby. She has lost several toes as well as parts of her feet and needs surgery.
Yukon (shown below) is a baby boy.
Clarice(shown below) is a baby girl.
Flurry, aka "Mr. Attitude" shown below is a baby boy.
Because there are multiple postings about this rescue, please note that NO bunnies are leaving to go to other rescues outside the immediate SF Bay area until animal control completes an investigation. At this time all donations are ONLY going directly to Second Chance Bunnies which still has 13 less injured bunnies to care for and medicate and to SaveABunny, which has the 6 severely injured babies. Harvest Home, PetSave, Zooh Corner and Team Fur have offered to take bunnies when they are healthy enough to be transported.
SaveABunny is coordinating rescue and fundraising efforts to assist with the overall rescue and veterinary expenses, which are estimated to be about $10,000. At least 3 of the rabbits at SaveABunny are expected to need surgeries. Additionally, to date, $2000 has been sent to Second Chance Bunnies to pay for rescue efforts, veterinary bills, medications and rabbit care supplies. We will use donations to assist with any additional expenses Second Chance Bunnies has related to this rescue and have offered to help reimburse other groups who step in to help. We are incredibly grateful to donors and feel it's important to show that donations are accountable and being used wisely.
