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!

This morning we received an email containing some beautiful photos and a story from the Hughes family, all about the three rabbits they adopted from us a couple weeks ago.  We are happy be able to share this wonderful adoption story with you!

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Our Bunny Story, September 2010
“We lost Nutmeg to cancer leaving Oscar (her mate) Alone….”

Sadly, our Rex bunny Nutmeg’s battle with cancer ended as we tried to make her as comfortable as we could and resolved ourselves to the fact that she would not be with us much longer.  Nutmeg (pictured above) had been one of sweetest bunnies we’d had since we began keeping bunnies as precious pets since our marriage in 1991. Our rule of thumb was always to work with rescue centers to acquire all of our pets; however Nutmeg was the one exception we made due to the fact that she had been hand raised.  After 5 sweet years, Nutmeg sadly passed away in our hands.  We were now we were faced with her mate Oscar who quickly became less active, and disinterested in his three story, Carmel style storybook home that my husband had worked on for approximately one year.  When he would be let out to enjoy his 1/4 acre yard, often we would find him sitting under a bush …we knew we had to do something.

On the advice of a friend, I began browsing the internet for sources for bunnies and quickly came across the WildRescue Inc. rescue facility.  They are comprised of a wonderful network of loving Foster Care volunteers who house rescue bunnies and keep them in their homes providing nurturing environments for them to live, learn socializing skills and help make emotional repairs on the ones who need it most.  Soon, we had made contact and set an appointment to go and meet one particular bunny we thought might just be the perfect match for our cocoa brown colored Rex.  Things would turn out differently then we would expect, and the end result would be better than any of us could have imagined!

Upon arriving, we set Oscar’s carrier in the large shaded enclosure which hopped with activity!  A happy, harmonized bunny colony enjoyed everything from fresh Timothy hay to ramps that led to ideal peaked-roof hutches to enjoy fresh food and an airy view.  Immediately a small black Rex named Trixie came to check out the new nose behind the carrier, and my husband took notice.  It took a few minutes, however it seemed like Trixie’s initial curiosity had not only signaled a choice for the new nose but also caught my husband’s interest enough for me to know that she would be coming home.  I began looking for the one I thought we were to come home with only to find that as I held her she used her nipping abilities to make her desires known.  I then spotted a tortoiseshell colored Rex, Delilah, whose personality seemed to precede her.  Now came the test…. would they all get along?

My husband, myself and the foster Cathy looked at each other as if to double check that the next action we were about to take would be acceptable in the bunny world of hierarchy as we placed them one by one into the carrier.  To everyone’s amazement they acted as if they had been together for years!  In our experience this was a highly unusual, and welcome sign as the three of us sighed with relief!

As we exited the enclosure to fill out the paperwork, Cathy explained she was caring for new baby kittens in her covered porch and asked if we would like to meet them.  What animal lover could resist baby kittens?  Upon entering the covered porch newly opened eyes peered out to new faces and mewed as gazes were exchanged.  It was there we met Mishka!  The name alone instantly evoked images of the classic Russian movie drama Dr. Zhivago, yet it was a comical, floppy lop eared bunny who hopped by our feet!  I knew we had to take her home to help complete the group.  As I asked my husband how he liked her.  Cathy and I crossed our fingers as we exchanged schoolgirl grins in hopes that he would be game for just one more! We signed three adoption papers that day!

It has now been several weeks since we brought the bunnies to their new home.  Daily they look forward to munching their way through our small (and getting smaller) herb garden as they spend their time enjoying the cooler days of the coming Fall season.  Trixie, the small black Rex (now known as Gertrude, or Trudy), is usually the first to lead the group out into their spacious yard and the last to give my husband and I a true work out to get her back in at dusk!  Mishka spontaneously combusts across the yard with occasional “happy hops” joyfully shaking everything she can!  Delilah, the tortoiseshell colored bunny (now known as Holly) stays close to the group and grows more confident as the days go on.  Oscar is content with his new “herd of girls” as my husband calls them and I am sure they will be a lot warmer as they continue to bond as a group to prepare for the coming winter…

We would like to officially say Thank You to the WildRescue, Inc./Rabbit Rescue group who work so hard to rescue and care for the precious pets that all of us have been blessed by the Lord to enjoy!  We would like to recommend them highly to anyone who is looking to adopt a family pet.

Last November, almost a year ago now, we were contacted by the family of a 7-month old Holland lop named Mia. Mia was a sweet bunny with a great personality, but she was developing a large lump by her face. Mia’s family saught out Rabbit Rescue for help and advice.

It was presumed that Mia had a large, hard abscess, which rabbits are notoriously prone to, but which almost always resolve themselves very well.  After speaking with Diana a few times, Mia’s family decided to bring her to Dr. Patty  Weber’s veterinary clinic, one of our partner veterinarians.  Dr. Patty discovered that Mia did not have an abscess, but a large hematoma that was deteriorating her jawbone and causing her much discomfort.

After finding out about Mia’s hematoma, her family decided the same thing that many rabbit owners do: They would rather surrender their rabbit to our Rescue — and have us foot the bill — than pay for the surgery at a discount and keep her.  Mia recovered from surgery beautifully and went into foster care in Sharry & Dean’s home where her name was changed to Mishka, and Mishka she has been ever since.

Mishka lived happily with us for almost a year, romping around the yard and going between the Rehab Room and her outside playplace.  We kept close watch on her as we were worried that her prior hematoma may either come back or cause teeth or jaw issues for her.  Nothing ever went wrong, though, and she proved to be a very healthy rabbit!  Mishka’s personality really came out and we learned how she communicates what she wants — most notably the gentle bite on your sleeve of “You need to put me down now or I’m going to have to use you as my litter box!”

Early this October, after 11 months of life at WildRescue, Inc./Rabbit Rescue, Mishka went to live at Cathy’s, another of our foster homes.  It was not even two weeks before she was adopted, along with Delilah and Trixie, and went to live with a new family.  We are so happy to have had this year with Mishka, and we wish her well in her new home!