Category — WildRescue Success Stories

Meet Ronnie.  Ronnie is a 2 year old neutered angora.  A beautiful, sweet, fluffball of a domestic rabbit.  (There are eyes in there somewhere…)

Meet the cottontails.  Adorable little wild babies growing up in the safe haven of WildRescue, Inc.

Ronnie, meet the cottontails.  Cottontails, meet Ronnie.

Well, that introduction went smoothly.

We have never seen anything like this.  We’ve heard stories from other rehabbers about domestic mommy rabbits letting baby cottontails nurse with their own babies, stories of domestic rabbits grooming sickly little cottontail babies, even stories of a dove acting as a living incubator for baby cottontails.  But this is absurd, amusing, amazing, and just plain awesome.  The cottontails actually use Ronnie as a living, breathing blanket.  They snuggle in the fur on his sides, lay stretched out on his back, huddle up under his chin, and generally don’t go more than a foot away from him at any time.

While Ronnie is one of the sweetest, most gentle domestic rabbits we have ever had the pleasure of meeting at the Rescue, and we already have two people interested in adopting him, we’re not sure if we want to let him go just yet.  The babies are just having too much fun with Ronnie, and he seems to enjoy “mothering” them and snuggling with them all.

Besides… Does it get any cuter than this?

Have you ever wondered what happens to all those adorable little baby cottontails you bring us?  Well, we have a new answer for you.

Clayton Boyd, with Boyd Brothers Contracting, has graciously offered us the opportunity to reintroduce the cottontail population on his land north of Lake Ray Roberts.  Clayton is actively relocating the predator population on his 110 acres in order to create a safe haven for cottontails, deer, and other prey species native to the north Texas area.

Clayton began helping us release cottontails there late last summer, and continues to see last year’s cottontails thriving on his property.  The acreage backs up to Lake Ray Roberts and features dry creek beds, oak forests, ponds, high grass, shade, sunny open pastures, and the most perfect camouflage.  Everything a cottontail could want in a new home, safely away from domestic cats bringing them to a doorstep, dogs treating them as squeaky toys, children playing toss with them on a playground, pool skimmers to get stuck in, and ever-present automobiles.  (Yes, we truly see it all in rescue.)

Sharing Clayton’s 110 acres is a small herd of watussi, cattle, and by far the sweetest brahma you will ever meet.  Here’s Diana sitting atop him, Clayton on his side, and the brahma soaking up all the love and attention.

We are proud to have Clayton as a partner in the release of native wildlife to protected land where they can be safely reintroduced where they once roamed freely.  Our thanks go to Clayton Boyd for the excellent release site, and especially to all of you, who have helped these wild babies get a new lease on life.  Thank you.

By now we hope that everyone has received our annual Holiday Letter…. Though we admittedly were late getting it out this year, and still have a few left to send!  Here it is on the web for those of you who may not yet have received it, or would like to share it with others.  A downloadable and printable PDF is available at the link below, and the text of the letter follows.  Thank you to all who participated in our operation in 2010.  We could not have done it all without you!

Click here to download the 2010 Holiday Letter as a PDF

Time flies when you are having fun – and has time flown this year! Between helping the SPCA of Texas with the US Global Exotics seizure of over 27,000 animals, to having an intake of over 700 orphaned cottontails, to having more than 200 rabbits enter our facility and leave with new homes; well, you can see what I mean. Let me elaborate just a little…

Partnering with the SPCA of Texas

In January we got the call that more than 27,000 animals were in need of rescuing due to an appalling animal cruelty case in Arlington. As a partner of the SPCA of Texas, we helped place almost 400 hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, and all kinds of other creatures in dire need of help. We are so proud to have been able to assist in this endeavor! Thank you to all of our volunteers who braved the snow to rescue them, and moved heaven and earth to make sure their stay at the Rescue was as comfortable as possible until their adoption.

Bunny Buddies of Houston

In spring we received a note from Bunny Buddies, our friends in Houston, that many of their rabbits (almost all already spayed/neutered) needed to be transfered to other rescues. There was no more room in their foster program, so we offered assistance. We met in Fairfield, Texas, and drove home with 27 beautiful and oh, so well-cared-for house bunnies! And can you believe, only 3 of them are still waiting for homes!

Wildlife

Once again it was simply unbelievable the number of cottontails that came to us. Most were nest- nabbed, orphaned or injured, and we did our best to help each and every one. I don’t think we slept most of the spring and summer, as phone call after phone call demanded our attention. I think I chanted, “Just Leave Them Alone”, in my sleep more than once.

Petco Adoption Partners

What an amazing opportunity it has been to partner with local Petco stores to get great new homes for more bunnies! In total, we have adopted out close to 200 nose-wiggling, whisker-twitching buns this last year, 35 of which have been from the Petco stores!! A huge thank-you goes to our partnering Petco stores – Denton, Prestonwood, Arlington, Grapevine, Highland Village, Cedar Hill and Mansfield. We have accomplished something truly major and wonderful! The staff help carefully screen prospective bunny parents, consult with us when necessary, and voila! Bunnies are matched with wonderful and loving families. We couldn’t be happier, and the bunnies thump their approval!

Our Veterinarians

We certainly could not do this without you. Our outstanding vets have put up with us (especially me), spayed/neutered, fixed broken bones, met us after hours, acted as a drop-off point for wildlife, you name it. Thank-yous are just never enough for our dear Dr. Patty Weber, Dr. Pam Henrichs, Dr. Elizabeth Rogers, and our “new kid on the block,” Dr. Kyle Jones!

Our Volunteers

What would I do without you?!!! Thank you to our Lindsay, Jessica, Savannah, Bridget, Lindsey & Whitney, Melissa, Caroline, Mel, Jaimie, Karen, Kelsey, Steven & Daphne, Sarah, Kathy & Wayne, Meghan, Sharry & Dean, Rick, DeDe…(Who did I forget?) And a huge welcome to Cathy, our new and wonderful foster mom!! You all have made it an incredible year and I can’t believe you are actually excited about continuing our work next year!!

In Loving Memory

We have lost some precious lights this last year – they crossed the Rainbow Bridge far too soon, and we will miss them so very much.

• Boo • Gabby • Gawain • Mr. Sleepy • Oscar • Roslyn • Samson • Sterling • Tatters •

Our work here is never done: The dishes pile up in the sink, laundry soon appears daunting, and afternoon naps are just a sweet memory, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We help over 1,000 animals each year in one way, shape or form. We answer as many phone calls and emails (God bless you Lindsay!!!) as humanly possible. Of course we need more volunteers, and of course we need more funds. The work we do is fueled by kind hearts and loving hands. The animals that come to us are welcomed with grace and knowledge. If you brought us an animal or adopted from us – then a huge thank you goes to you. If you would like to become a part of our rescue family, you would be so welcome.

It is with God’s grace that we continue this important work, and it is with our friends that we can accomplish what we set out to do. Though we dearly know this economy is hard for all of us, please consider donating. Paypal is right on our website for processing credit cards. A self-addressed, stamped envelope is enclosed for your convenience. And think of us throughout the year, not just at Christmas! Check in with us to see what we are up to. Tell your friends. Help us fundraise. But above all, THANK YOU for helping the animals. We, and they, could not do it without you.

Happy holidays, and have a wonderful and “hoppy” New Year!!! With love,

Diana

Visit us on the web at www.rescuedrabbits.org
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wildrescueinc
Come visit us at Irist Fest in March!