Indiana HRS was contacted by Red Door Animal Shelter on February 23rd looking for guidance. Southern Suburban Humane Society (SSHS) in Chicago Heights, IL, was requesting help for over 180 rabbits in Watseka, IL, being confiscated by order of the Illinois Dept. of Agriculture. The information was communicated to national HRS volunteers, who relayed valuable experience assisting in such large rescues.
Veterinarians Susan Brown and Richard Nye completed medical evaluations for all rabbits on Feb. 26th and 27th. They were assisted by SSHS staff members, Chicago HRS Chapter Manager Joan Irwin, and registered nurse and wildlife rehabilitator Lori Matteuci. A comprehensive treatment plan was developed for each ill rabbit and a diet plan was put in place to stabilize the compromised animals. The teams worked for over 12 hours each day, documenting all findings for legal proceeding.
Lori was a godsend for the Watseka rabbits. She volunteered every day onsite during the entire project, communicating with Dr. Brown to triage care and dispense medication to meet these bunnies’ needs. She also pitched in to help clean cages during her ‘spare time.’ Lori’s leadership was instrumental to ensuring a dramatic improvement in a few short weeks.
An urgent plea for supplies was communicated via Joan Irwin. Once again, IHRS supporters were very generous in their donations of four vehicles full of pellets, hay, litter, litter boxes, ceramic crocks, cages, medical, and office supplies. These supplies were instrumental to setting up the rabbits for success. Chapter Manager Dawn Sailer-Fleeger contacted Bob K., Petco Regional Companion Animal Manager, to alert him to the situation. Within two days, the Petco Foundation donated water bottles, ceramic crocks, litter boxes, Carefresh litter, hay, and dozens of Marchioro cages. Petco also facilitated the donation of2000 pounds of pellets through Purina. These supplies were instrumental not only in initially establishing the rabbits in cages, but also for long-term maintenance. Indiana HRS, Red Door Animal Shelter, Chicago HRS, and Wisconsin HRS have been collaborating during this effort, coordinating volunteer coverage to meet the needs of these very deserving rabbits. Fewer volunteers were available during the work week; therefore, we sent large teams on the weekends to perform major cleaning. The volunteers did a wonderful job of communicating effectively across volunteer shifts to ensure continuity of care and to avoid duplicationof effort.
Three teams of IHRS volunteers ventured to SSHS on March 3rd, 10th, and 24th to transport donated supplies and assist in the care and complete the triage, compiling an impressive 200+ onsite volunteer hours (not including 5+ hours of driving each trip!). Our volunteer teams were comprised of individuals from Anderson, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Merrillville, and Zionsville, IN and Champaign, IL. Very special thanks to our volunteer team members: Alenda, Amanda, Amy D., Dana, Dawn, Laura, Megan, JJ, JudiLynn, Julie, Kate, Pam, Rainn, and Robin.
The IHRS team worked onsite March 3rd for nine hours. For the first time in six days since rescue, we were able to set up the rabbits in cages with litterboxes, food and water crocks they could not tip over, with plenty of pellets and tasty hay. Our volunteers also trimmed the nails of nearly 180 rabbits and dispensed oral, ocular and injectable medication to all 56 ill rabbits. The IHRS team worked onsite on two additional Saturdays. This work was much easier after Red Door and Chicago HRS volunteers did a great job during the week. The rabbits had improved so much after the first week, so our volunteers were really energized!
The work was exhausting, but also rewarding. Once our work was complete, it was very gratifying to hear the tap-tap-tapping of the dozens of part of the original seizure. 117 rabbits were returned to the breeder, disappointing many rescue volunteers. 41 rabbits remain with SSHS. They will be available for adoption after treatment for illness and spay/neuter.
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Since January, we have taken 55 rabbits into our foster care network. This exceeds our total intakes for 2006!! Thankfully, our adoptions are very strong (40), in large part due to the success of our expanded Petco adoption program.