RESCUE TAILS / “Flower”

BY TAMMY FOX-ROYER

Executive Director, Florida Keys SPCA

Imagine stepping out to your backyard to take a refreshing swim and seeing a small furry “something” in your swimming pool. That’s what happened to a local couple not long ago. The “something” turned out to be a baby bunny, of all things! Fortunately for the baby, the timing was perfect, and because the caring couple acted so quickly, she survived and was brought to the FKSPCA.

We named her Flower. She was only a few weeks old, probably a pet who was “set free” or possibly escaped. Unfortunately, abandoned rabbits have become a growing problem across the country. So often, they are purchased when tiny and irresistible as a child’s pet but without any knowledge of what is involved in caring for rabbits. When the cost and time involved is realized, they are cast aside. Rabbits are now the third most common pets surrendered to shelters, following dogs and cats. Ironically, those are the lucky ones. Setting a rabbit “free” may sound like a good idea, but domestic rabbits have not adapted to conditions in the wild like those born in the wild have. Life on the outside can be tough at best, perilous at worst. Ask any shelter or rescue organization who sees the price rabbits pay when abandoned. Predators, automobiles and starvation take their toll.

Flower was too small to do well at the shelter, so when one of our rabbit volunteers offered to foster her, we jumped at the chance. She was an experienced bunny caretaker, and we knew Flower would have the best chance with her to become healthy and socialized, both so important for little ones. Just like human children, bunnies come with all kinds of different personalities, and Flower had a big one! From the start, she was not one to be contained. She made it very clear that she thought gates and pens were for “sissies”, and she wasn’t about to let them get in her way! Out-thinking a smart, young rabbit can be challenging, and she kept the whole family, including other rabbits and a dog, on their toes. But they accepted the challenge and were up to the task.

When it came time for Flower to leave this foster home and find a new home, we detected just a wee bit of resistance from her foster mom. That resistance came in the form of a big fat “NO WAY!”. We were overjoyed knowing she was home to stay. So lucky little Flower went from being rescued from a swimming pool as a tiny, orphaned baby to living the good life as a well-loved house rabbit. Her intelligence and energy still challenge her family at times, but they know that’s what made her the long-eared survivor she is today!

The FKSPCA has bunnies for adoption. If you are curious about rabbits and want to learn more about living with a house rabbit, we hope you will stop by and speak with one of our small animal counselors. We’d love to introduce you to our adoptable bunnies. And, since there are so many homeless rabbits sitting in shelters and rescues everywhere, please remember to ADOPT, DON’T SHOP. For more info, visit us at fkspca.org or e-mail me at [email protected]. 

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]