GHRS to the Rescue Again, Asks For Our Help

First of all, I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter, Passover, Spring Break, and a belated St. Patrick’s Day and Vernal Equinox to all of you, as appropriate. Personally, I’m really looking forward to noshing on some chocolate bunny ears (and maybe a Reese’s peanut butter & chocolate egg or two) while our Hop-alongs are eagerly awaiting the first of the dandelion harvest from the yard.

Okay, maybe the buns aren’t actually waiting on it, but I know they’ll be happy to see it when it comes.

Second, I wanted to share with you a story I’ve been following over in the Dunwoody Patch about a rabbit hoarding case, which they first reported on in this article HERE. The people involved are, as always, innocent until proven guilty of any crimes, but the situation sounds terrible.

(The updated Dunwoody Patch story can be seen here.)

Well, the folks that I often brag on about, the society whose adoptable bunnies I always feature in the pictures that go with my articles, they've have stepped up to the plate again. Initially, the North Georgia House Rabbit Society had stepped in to take over the 11 rabbits delivered to the Dekalb Animal Shelter, and given them the medical care they needed to get them back on the road to health. As a “no-kill” organization, these bunnies were therefore spared potential euthanasia, and will be cared for as needed until suitable homes can be found for them.

However, the full scale of the situation turned out to be much larger: over 70 rabbits, as well as a bird and a neglected child, were found in that home. While the child was delivered into the care of relatives, the rabbits not sent to Dekalb were delivered to the Jellystone Park Camp Resort. In an AJC story on the situation, the campground’s director is quoted as saying that the rabbits for which homes could be found would be adopted out, but the rest would be allowed to “roam free” on the grounds.

This is NOT good news for anyone other than the local predators.

Unlike their wild cousins, domestic rabbits are simply not capable of fending for themselves in the wild for long. In a matter of weeks, every last one of those animals will succumb to one of a number of unpleasant factors: hawks, dogs, snakes, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, traffic, the elements, lack of food, insect-borne diseases, and so on.

It is not my intention to make the Jellystone Camp or its management look bad. On the contrary, it sounds as though they saw an opportunity to help, and out of a combined sense of opportunity and community outreach offered what they thought would be a great big helping hand. Like many people, it would seem that they were working under the mis-impression that rabbits can handle themselves just fine in the wild, so please do not misinterpret me to be saying or implying that the Jellystone folks are bad people.

I am convinced that they were really trying to help. I’m only suggesting that their help is stop-gap at best, a horrible mess of unintended consequences at worst.

Just as setting any other former pet free in the wild is about the worst thing you can do for it, the rabbits left to roam the outdoors in this case really don’t have a chance. And judging from the condition of the 11 GHRS rescues - one animal was missing a foot, and many others were dehydrated and malnourished - many of the ones to be set free also need urgent medical attention. I can only guess that they will have a hard time finding it for themselves on the camp’s grounds.

In a statement to the media, Co-Chapter Manager Edie Sayeg (we directly dealt with her when we adopted Luke & Laura, she’s very nice) said, “While we cannot take in over 60 something rabbits all at once we are willing to work with authorties(sic) and the media to try and place these rabbits in a proper environment. There may also be other rescues that would help – this [situation] is just not acceptable – please make phone calls and write to the media! Your voice does count for those who have no voice.”

So this is my intent in forwarding this case to all of you who read my posts here on the Patch. To those who work with the AAHS and the Zeus House, or other animal rescue groups, or to those of you who may be able to offer your time, your funding, or even a home for one of these animals: please get informed and involved, and assist in whatever way you can.

For more information about the Georgia House Rabbit Society’s mission, needs, and adoptable animals, please visit http://www.houserabbitga.com. GHRS is a member of the National House Rabbit Society, and is a “no-kill” rescue group.