On September 15th, 2023 SaveABunny received a call from a concerned citizen about 30+ bunnies abandoned on a property in Petaluma, CA. In response, our team quickly mobilized at the site and discovered a horrific backyard bunny breeder mill. The breeder of these purebred Lionhead rabbits had been selling them on Craigslist and Nextdoor for questionable purposes and had left them behind when evicted weeks earlier. The SaveABunny rescue team found these innocent souls in heart-wrenching conditions. Wire cages covered in toxic mold, rotting hay, contaminated water, and living among hundreds of flies and black widow spiders. Huddled together for warmth and safety were momma bunnies and their babies, in addition to dozens of bunnies suffering from severe neglect and possible abuse. It is a miracle that these bunnies survived long enough to be rescued.
It quickly became clear that every bunny was dangerously malnourished, with some teetering on the edge of death. At least half the rabbits required extensive medical intervention, in addition to round-the-clock feeding for infants whose mothers were so malnourished they could not produce enough milk to feed their young. Sadly, despite heroic efforts, one baby bunny has perished. So far, SaveABunny has safely rescued and removed from the site 22 rabbits. There are still at least 9 more needing IMMEDIATE rescue, and we need your help to save them. A large-scale rescue of this magnitude requires several stages, ultimately taking 1-2 years to complete. There are both short-term and long-term needs and challenges.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS
1. Medical Care
All bunnies will need specialized veterinary exams and medical attention. There will be required surgery that can cost thousands of dollars for those bunnies suffering from the most severe neglect, including a young female whose teeth were so overgrown she could not eat properly. Once all bunnies have been stabilized, they will be spayed/neutered and vaccinated against RHDV (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus), a deadly disease with a nearly 100% fatality rate.
2. Foster Care Preparation
The trauma these bunnies have endured is unimaginable. As they transition to foster homes, we ensure that each foster home is given all the supplies they need to help these rabbits heal, including proper rabbit housing and food, bedding, medicines, and other essential item.
3. Community Volunteers
The sheer magnitude of this operation has stretched our volunteer team in ways that are not sustainable, and we are seeking additional volunteer help on-site and off-site at a quarantine site.
4. Financial Support
SaveABunny MUST raise $35,000 to cover the cost of essential medical interventions and long-term staffing, as it may take over a year to find homes for these bunnies.
Your Impact:
Supporting SaveABunny means championing a dedicated international grassroots organization that has, since 1999, rescued over 5,000 bunnies from harrowing circumstances, providing them the opportunity for a better life. Every contribution, large and small, immediately saves an animal's life and fuels our unwavering commitment to rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing bunnies who would otherwise be euthanized at overcrowded shelters or left to die with no one to advocate for them. By standing with SaveABunny, you're directly influencing and becoming a part of a legacy of compassion, change, and hope for rabbits who have faced immense suffering.
1. Donate: Our mission is urgent, and the stakes are high. We've launched this GoFundMe campaign as a lifeline for these vulnerable rabbits. Our goal is $35,000, which will go directly toward providing immediate medical care, foster kits, and quarantine care. Every single dollar counts and creates the difference between life and despair for these bunnies.
SaveABunny is a 503(c)(3) nonprofit organization and each donation is tax deductible. Each donation is tax-deductible and will give these rabbits the second chance they desperately deserve. Support them now and ensure they have a fighting chance.
2. Foster: Provide a haven for rabbits, letting them know love and care by offering a temporary home. Apply to Foster
3. Volunteer: Join our team and help us hands-on with this mission. Every hour you give is an hour closer to saving them all and provides essential relief to our overburdened staff. Volunteer Now
4. Spread the Word: Share our mission on social media, and please, we encourage you to talk about it with friends and family. Let the world know about the little souls that need their help.
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Visit our website: SaveABunny
5. Adoptions
Adoptions are an essential part of this journey, whether it be in the form of adoptions of Lionhead bunnies from the Backyard Breeding Case or adoptions of other bunnies in our facility; this makes room for us to focus on those with the most critical and severe needs onsite.
Adopt Now
Our Promise to You
To all our supporters, transparency and connection are paramount. We understand the weight of every dollar you donate and your trust in us.
In recognition of that:
Regular Updates: We will consistently post updates on our GoFundMe campaign, sharing with you the progress of the rescued rabbits, their recovery journey, and how the funds are being utilized.
Visual Journeys: Nothing speaks louder than seeing the impact firsthand. We will share photographs capturing the transformation, recovery, and love these rabbits experience, thanks to your support.
Critical Notifications: Any major developments, events, or critical news relating to this campaign will be promptly communicated.
By supporting us, you're not just donating; you're joining a community, a mission, and a journey. We invite you to be an active part of this story every hop of the way. Thank you for caring!
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