Some of the abandoned pet rabbits have the good fortune to be rescued and taken in by local rescues. However sadly there are not enough spaces available for all the rabbits that need rescuing. Rescues and shelters are overflowing with rabbits. Choices must be made as to which rabbits have priority for being rescued.
Here are the before and after stories of some of the rabbits (plus some babies) who were rescued. These rabbits were either sick, injured and/or living in high risk situations.
Nugget’s Story:
July 2015. Nugget was discovered in the vineyard of a local farmer’s market. She was unable to use her hind legs and was dragging herself around. Nugget was rescued, received veterinary care and made some progress in her ability to use her hind legs. Nugget was living under the care of the Richmond Animal Protection Society (R.A.P.S.) and has since been adopted.
Tori and Yogi’s Story:
Apr. 2015. Tori and Yogi were discovered dumped in a local park (Minoru Park). Two mall and friendly rabbits, they were at risk. The 2 bunnies were rescued, received veterinary care and are doing well.
Mickey’s Story:
Feb. 2015. Mickey was found living in a local park (Minoru Park). He exhibited signs of having a slight head tilt. Over several weeks his condition deteriorated and he became very ill to the point where he could hardly stand and would stagger, fall over and roll. Mickey was rescued when discovered propped up against a treat next to a ditch (see photo). Mickey received veterinary treatment and made a good recovery. Mickey is now living under the care of the Small Animal Rescue Society.
Turnip’s Story:
Aug. 2014. Turnip was discovered living behind the local skating rink in a parking lot near some dumpsters (Minoru Blvd.). He was rescued and taken to live at Richmond Animal Protection Society (R.A.P.S.) shelter. After some time passed Turnip received veterinary attention and it was discovered that Turnip had been shot, had a previous broken femur and was blind. Turnip is now living under the care of the Small Animal Rescue Society.
Alice’s Story:
Feb. 2014. Alice was first discovered abandoned in a local park around Sept. 2013 (Minoru Park). Sometime over the fall/winter Alice became ill and by Feb. 2014 she staggered badly when attempting to move, and was found primarily hiding in the bushes. She is now rescued and living under the care of the Small Animal Rescue Society.
Magnus’ Story:
Jan. 2014. Magnus was discovered living in a grassy patch by the roadway between a local pool and skating rink (Granville). He had a huge infected abscess on his face and needed medical attention. He is now rescued, all healed up and living under the care of the Small Animal Rescue Society.
Skater’s Story:
Jan. 2014. Skater, a small baby bunny, was discovered living alone in a fenced storage area beside dumpsters in a parking lot (Minoru Blvd.). Her mother was gone and her siblings had died. Skater is now rescued and living under the care of the Richmond Animal Protection Society (R.A.P.S.). Update: Skater has since been adopted.
Timber’s Story:
Nov. 2013. Timber was discovered abandoned on the fringes of a park bordering hotels, businesses and a parking lot (Minoru Park). As a Rex rabbit, he did not have the thick coat needed to endure the below freezing weather temperatures. Timber was also experiencing some medical problems as he was wobbly and falling over. Timber is now rescued and while he continues to have medical problems, he is living under the loving care of the Small Animal Rescue Society. Update: Sadly Timber passed away. R.I.P.
Goblin’s Story:
Oct. 2013. Goblin was a long-time abandoned rabbit in a local park, first discovered in Dec. 2012 (Minoru Park). He was surviving as best as he could but over time his body and eyes became injured as a result of altercations with other park rabbits. Eventually Goblin became extremely ill and in a wobbly state, falling over and unable to eat food properly. Goblin was deathly ill when rescued but has since recovered and is living under the care of the Small Animal Rescue Society.
Spooky’s Story:
Sept. 2013. Spooky was discovered abandoned beside a Chapel on the edge of a park (Minoru Park). He had bite marks from altercations with other rabbits and was at risk because of his noticeable colouring. Spooky is now rescued and living under the care of the Vancouver Rabbit Rescue.
Captain Morgan’s Story:
Sept. 2013. Captain Morgan was discovered abandoned in a local park (Minoru Park). He was in poor physical condition and had an infected eye which he could not see with. He was being bullied by the other rabbits and was living in fear. Captain Morgan is now rescued and living under the care of the Small Animal Rescue Society.
Hector’s Story:
Sept. 2013. Hector was discovered living in the bushes beside the parking lot of a small shopping mall (Granville & St.Albans). Hector was thin, malnourished, and suffered from a leg/hip injury, possibly from being hit by a car. Hector is now rescued and living under the care of the Small Animal Rescue Society.
Gloria’s Story:
Aug. 2013. Gloria was discovered preparing to have babies on the loading dock of a business by the road in a high traffic commercial area (Cook & No.3 Rd.). Gloria had a previous leg injury which resulted in her broken leg setting so it permanently protrudes out to the side. Gloria and her babies are now rescued and living under the care of the Vancouver Rabbit Rescue.
Duncan’s Story:
July 2013. Duncan was discovered abandoned in a local park (Minoru Park). He was at risk because of his noticeable colouring and living in an area frequented by predators (hawks, coyotes, etc.). Duncan was rescued and adopted.
Elsie’s Story:
June 2013. Elsie was discovered abandoned on a busy construction site in the downtown city centre (Minoru Blvd.). She was very thin, sick, at risk because of her noticeable coloring and she was living in an active construction site utilizing large hazardous equipment. Elsie is now rescued, healthy (was treated for infection which had resulted in extremely high temp.) and living under the care of the Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC.
Rusty’s Story:
Feb. 2013. Rusty was one of a group of four rabbits discovered in Sept. 2011 living in a Chapel courtyard by the edge of a park (Minoru Park). Rusty made it through the winter 2011-2012 and was still surviving winter of 2012-2013, but given the typically short life span of park rabbits, her days were numbered. In Feb. 2013, with an adoptive home already lined up for her, Rusty was rescued. Before Rusty moved to her adoptive home, she became the mother to a litter of babies.
Jack’s Story:
Feb. 2013. Jack was discovered living in a local park in Oct. 2012 (Minoru Park). He was pretty beat up in appearance with one injured ear and missing half of the other ear. Jack’s condition continued to deteriorate and by Feb. 2013 he was in need of immediate help. Jack was rescued, received treatment for an injured infected eye, and had surgery on an internal abscess. Jack now lives with his companion Dutchess.
Rabbit’s Story:
Feb. 2013. Rabbit was discovered in Jan. 2013 in a local park with some sort of injury/illness to her back legs/hind end (Minoru Park). She was unsteady on her feet, always soaked in the back and had a rash. In Feb. 2013 Rabbit was rescued and taken to the vets where it was determined she did not seem to have any previous injury. Her rash was treated and she was taken to live under the care of Richmond Animal Protection Society (R.A.P.S.).
Jester’s Story:
Oct. 2012. Jester was discovered living under a sports equipment shed next to sports playing fields (Granville). He had a huge abscess on his side that needed veterinary attention. Jester is now rescued, has recovered from surgery and living under the care of the Vancouver Rabbit Rescue.
Princess’ Story:
Sept. 2012: Princess was discovered sitting literally by the edge of a very busy road in a commercial/high rise area (Granville & Buswell). Princess was very confused and there was no indication where she came from, so she was rescued. Princess lives with her companion Trix.
Twinkle’s Story:
Sept. 2012. Twinkle was discovered newly abandoned in a local automall (Richmond Automall). He was confused about what had happened to him and he was being bullied by the other rabbits when they had contact. Twinkle is now rescued and is living under the care of Richmond Animal Protection Society (R.A.P.S.) with his friend Gelato. Update: Twinkle and Gelato have since been adopted.
Victoria’s Story:
Aug. 2012. Victoria was discovered wobbly, staggering and falling over in a local park (Minoru Park). She was rescued and taken in for immediate veterinary attention. Victoria is now doing well and lives with her companion Bullwinkle.
Trix’s Story:
June 2012. Trix was discovered as a baby living on the grassy corner of a busy roadway (Moffatt and Granville). He was at risk because of location and because as a baby white rabbit he was a noticeable target for predators, Trix was rescued and lives with companion Princess.
Bullwinkle & Rocky’s Story:
June 2012. Bullwinkle and Rocky were picked up and being carried by some children walking around and playing in a local park (Minoru Park). On seeing the children carrying the baby bunnies, inquiries were made of the children regarding the rabbits in their possession and the children willingly turned the rabbits over. Rocky now lives with his companion Lilo and Bullwinkle lives with his companion Victoria.
Lavender’s Story:
March 2012. Lavender was discovered abandoned by a running track/sports field near to a local pool and skating rink (Granville). She was confused, unwanted by the other rabbits living in the area and as a rex rabbit she lacked the warm coat needed to live outside in the cold of winter. Lavender was rescued, gave birth to a litter of babies, and was adopted. Lavender lives with her companion Huey and they have been adopted.
Nola’s Story:
March 2012. Nola was discovered in an apartment parking garage along with her 7 young babies. She and her babies were living hidden behind a pile of clutter and debris next to parked cars. Nola and babies were rescued. Nola lives with her companion Azure and they have been adopted.
“A Life Too Short” tells the story of Nola and her babies.
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-763569
Huey’s Story:
Jan. 2012. Huey was discovered badly injured, in pain and wandering in a state of confusion in the grassy area between some apartments and a busy roadway in the city centre of Richmond (Minoru Blvd.). Huey was rescued, received urgent veterinary attention and over time his severe facial wounds healed up. However Huey also had a previous leg break which led to reoccurring abscesses and eventually he had a leg amputation. Huey is doing well now and has been adopted with his companion Lavender.
Azure’s Story: (originally Anastasia)
Fall 2011. Azure was discovered as a youngster in a local park (Minoru Park) and was being picked on a little by some of the other local rabbits. Azure was the only friend of a dumped rabbit, Chip. Azure and Chip were rescued together, however Azure (originally known as Anastasia), turned out to be a “he”, not a “she” and they were separated. Azure went on to live with companion Nola. Azure and Nola are doing well and have been adopted.
Chip’s Story:
Fall 2011. Chip was discovered in a local park (Minoru Park) as a recently dumped rabbit. Chip was confused and struggling to survive. Left behind in an area already populated by other rabbits he was viewed as an intruder and ended up in a number of altercations over the next several weeks. With bites on his body and missing half of an ear, Chip was finally rescued, received veterinary care, and has recovered. Chip lives with his companion Anderson.
Adella’s Story:
Fall 2011. Adella was discovered with an injured eye in a local park (Minoru Park). She was rescued, received veterinary treatment, and has recovered. Adella with her companion Dewey.
Dodger’s Story:
Sept. 2011. Dodger was discovered living in a Chapel courtyard on the edge of a local park (Minoru Park). He had a badly infected eye which he could not see with. Dodger was rescued and provided with veterinary attention. Sadly Dodger has since passed away (Aug. 2015) but his memory lives on through his character as portrayed in the children’s novel The Rabbit Rescuers.
“A rabbit tale, minus the fluff” tells the story of Dodger.
http://www.richmond-news.com/life/rabbit+tale+minus+fluff/5450077/story.html
No Rabbit Left Behind 