This past spring, City of Greenville, SC, animal control officer JoAnne Smythe called the Rabbit Sanctuary. “I know your sanctuary is full, I’m just inquiring if, perhaps, you know of someone looking for a pet rabbit.” She was hoping to find a home for a bunny at the Greenville Humane Society who had been there a long time and was slated to be euthanized.
JoAnne has been working with and for animals for at least 13 years. She is a kind woman and often pairs up people with animals, finding homes for animals that otherwise would be euthanized.
There are rarely openings at the Rabbit Sanctuary and the waiting list to take in rabbits is long, but we decided to squeeze this rabbit in to give one of our single female rabbits a companion. We found the most charming, vivacious little rabbit waiting patiently in his cage at the shelter. A Rex with velvet-like fur, the beautiful strawberry-colored spots sprinkled down his white vest belay an extremely affectionate and friendly demeanor. In fact, he’s not afraid to deliver multiple kisses in a visit!
The little fellow is now known as Ro. He was brought to the shelter with at least two others, products of an unwanted litter. It was likely he was slated to be euthanized because he was the runt of the litter and the least likely to be adopted. While he was supposedly injured, the “wounds” were only superficial bites by his littermates and didn’t require any treatment.
As with all new, male rabbits to the sanctuary, Ro needed to first undergo a neuter surgery and then he met his new companion, Mrs. Corn. The rabbits will live together at the sanctuary with the many others whose stories have ended happily, thanks to the kindness of individual citizens and the generosity of the Rabbit Sanctuary’s supporters.
The Rabbit Sanctuary is working with the Greenville Humane Society to help as many animals as possible. As with many rescue operations the sanctuary stays full from all the surrendered rabbits and those found running loose in the local community.
If you are interested in caring for a bunny, learn all about them first, and please consider adopting one from an animal shelter.
Rex rabbits, such as Ro, are the breed of choice used for rabbit fur. Learn more about fur-bearing animals.
posted January 16, 2007
