Rescues Overwhelmed With Bunnies This Time Of Year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Hopster, Bean, Honey Bun and Butterscotch are all rescue rabbits, all dumped outside to fend for themselves or surrendered for various reasons. All living, for now, with Whitney Bruce. “I’ve always been an animal lover,” she says. Bruce is the executive director of Wildlife Rescue of Charlotte. She is pleading with people this spring: don’t buy bunnies on a whim. Bruce explains, “For whatever reason, they end up dumping them outside. And that’s when we get a call and we end up rescuing them. And we get we get overwhelmed.”

She’s got 21 rabbits in foster care with her rescue right now, with five on a waiting list. She says, “They’re definitely not starter pets. They’re great pets, you just have to know what you’re getting into.”

Proper bunny care requires several things, including space, because bunnies need exercise every day. Also, they hide pain and sickness well, and have to be closely monitored on a daily basis. Bunnies require hay daily for dental maintenance. And their lifespan is more than a decade. “Like, 12, 13 years,” says Bruce.

Bruce urges people to do their research, lots of research, before buying a bunny this spring. WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty asked her if she gets calls about rabbits in need of rescue every week. Bruce answered, “Oh, absolutely. Every week. Yeah. It depends on the week. Sometimes it’s multiple times in a week.”

If you’ve done your research and decide a rabbit is right for you, Bruce urges you to consider adopting. You can check out her rescue’s adoptable animals here. And if you have questions, she says, “We’re more than happy to help with making that decision.”

Bruce also needs fosters. The rescue provides an enclosure, supplies, food and more. You just have to provide the space in your home and the attention the animal needs until they find their forever home.