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Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary hasn't added a story.
When Mathew and I were first notified that a large population of rabbits were being kept by a man who had gotten in way over his head (he was breeding them and selling the babies to pet stores), I knew it was going to be bad. Once state welfare authorities were notified and contacted us for assistance, I knew it was going to be awful. My instinct was correct. On first approaching the shed where they were kept I was apprehensive. It looked like any old shed. It was weathered and gray and in rather rough shape. There were no windows, just a closed door. Opening this just a crack, we immediately noticed that the inside was pitch black. Opening it further, I could see a large group of rabbits, tilting their heads at us and blinking at the sudden ray of light. There were too many to count, especially as they started hopping. I was told there were males and females together (which equals lots and lots of babies – did you know rabbits can actually carry two litters at the same time, meaning they could have as many as 15 babies or more?) – on wet, filthy bedding that was at least 3-feet deep. The smell of ammonia made our eyes water. It was apparent that the shed had never been cleaned and the owner was just throwing new bedding on top of old. Hefting myself inside, I almost immediately sank: they had been making tunnels. This was not a good thing. Who knew how many bunnies were living underneath the layers of rotting poop and hay and how many nests of babies there were. It was our job to get a count for the animal welfare agent so he could find placement in shelters across the state. We were told by the owner that there were 14-15 rabbits. In reality, and after a long morning of catching and sexing them, there were at least double that, including two litters of babies.
(We opened the door to the shed to find this. There are no windows so when it is closed it's completely dark inside.
For me, human nature has always been much harder to understand than the nature of animals. Animals I get. Humans I don’t think I ever will. The man who owned the rabbits was truly grateful for our help. He must have thanked us a dozen times, even helping us catch the rabbits; and afterwards, stopped by the sanctuary to leave some hay and pellets. He was moving in a month and admitted that the rabbit situation had gotten out of hand. He had asked multiple shelters for help – but, as is often the case, especially with rabbits as so few take them in, they were at capacity. He admitted to letting some of the rabbits go into the woods (which is a criminal offense) and later said he felt terrible about it, telling us a bob cat had killed them.
(34 bunnies were kept in this shed. The box to the left held nests of bunnies.)
Remorseful or not, when I think of the terror those bunnies must have felt being suddenly taken from their families, left somewhere strange and scary in the woods and then running for their lives and being horribly killed, it is heartbreakingly sad. He also told us he found some of the babies drowned in the water trays. A fellow rescuer who had been there earlier, told us she found a dead bunny in the mix and one with a missing eye, likely from fighting. I can’t wrap my mind around his logic; his remorse; his struggle – and I won’t even try. All I know is that ignorance is one of the biggest reasons animals are neglected and put into situations just like this one. And because of it, the animals suffer - and sometimes and as is more often the case - painstakingly, dies.
(The place was filthy, dark and the smell was overwhelming.)
After a few hours work, Mathew and I decided to take home the 17 females and one-week-old babies (we weren’t sure who the mamas were), leaving what we thought were twelve males. Females – especially those already living in a group – can generally stay in a colony setting. Males however, do not do well in groups – especially if they are not neutered and will typically fight among themselves. Throw a female in the mix and they can fight to the death – which is the reason why so many of them looked beat-up. We had an empty stall in the quarantine barn next to the mare, "Go Go Lark" (Secretariat’s granddaughter), we had taken in a few weeks ago. They would be company for her and give them temporary room to recuperate and tend to their babies and have new ones. The animal welfare agent planned to come back the next morning and take the remaining males to different shelters who had each offered to take in 2-3 rabbits. He told the owner to have the 12 rabbits put in the cardboard carriers he left and have them ready to be picked up by 8am. The owner told the agent he would set his alarm for 7:40 (go figure)! Knowing how hard it was to catch the bunnies, Mathew decided he’d help. We didn’t want anything to keep the bunnies from getting out of that place. When Mathew showed up the next morning, the owner wasn’t there and there was no sign of the cardboard boxes. It was now getting close to 8, and the bunnies hadn’t even been caught. I called the man - and wildly - he was still in bed sleeping! By the time the officer arrived the boxes were finally filled; but Mathew was dismayed to discover that there were 17 male bunnies – not 12. That left 5 baby bunnies (all males) that would have to stay and wait until next week, when hopefully, other shelters could take them in.
(The look of absolute hopelessness in this buns eyes was heartbreaking.)
While all of this was going on, I was at the sanctuary feeding and watering our own animals. That morning the thermometer read zero. Winters in Maine are hard. Especially when water bowls freeze and hoses freeze and everything is just tougher and there is only Mathew and I to do all the day-to-day work. When Mathew finally returned and walked down to the barn I felt relief knowing all the bunnies had been taken. However, when he told me they were 5 bunnies over the count, my heart immediately sank. I couldn’t stand the thought of them being left behind. Looking upsettingly into his eyes it only took about 5 seconds for him to break into a grin and say cheerily: “You didn't really think I'd leave them behind, did you? I’ve got 5 baby boys in a carrier in the truck, so figure out where to put them."
(The bedding had never been cleaned; 3ft. deep and soaking wet with urine.)
So now, on top of our already 30 sanctuary rabbits, we’ve got 22 more and who knows how many litters on the way. We managed to fit a pen in the barn for the new little boys who have to be kept separate from the females. One boy is around 10 weeks old, but the others are only 4 weeks. They snuggle together in a heap and though none of these bunnies are used to human touch they are already enjoying the attention, clean bedding and food. One could say we are bursting at the seams with bunnies – and for now, that certainly is true. Oh, and we’ve given them names. Please welcome: MacGregor, Mr. Bouncer, Benjamin, Peter and Cottontail (a tiny white one.)
(Safe! 5 baby boys. The big one is only 10 weeks but a larger breed.)
Generally, shelters and sanctuaries can only take in an animal or two at a time. We are a little different as we started out rescuing bunnies – and I guess you could say, it’s always been our thing – although, there are over 12 different species of animals that call Cottontail home. To take in 22 animals all at one time – no matter the size – is a BIG undertaking – especially when more are on the way from all the pregnant females. Thankfully, animal welfare will be helping us place some of these bunnies in shelters as space opens up – but none of the females or little babies can leave until they are weaned and ready (which is around 8 weeks.) This all being said, we are going to need your help. Babies and pregnant rabbits need an unlimited supply of pellets and hay. Currently, they are going through a quarter of a 50lb bag a day and eating loads of hay. Straw bedding gets old quick. Donations are needed to help sustain this many animals. And then there is the future to think about. Some of these bunnies can be adopted once they are old enough to be neutered and spayed (around 4-6 months) – but the females living in the bonded colony could possibly stay. With your help.
(Safe! 17 bunnies: 10 females and 7 newborn kits. They will soon outgrow this space, as many, if not all, are pregnant. We have named these beautiful bun ladies: Griselda, Briony, Hyacinth, Rose, Sonora, Peony, Star, Bright, Tinsel and Mistletoe.)
It is our hope to build them their own warren (complete with a bunny barn and predator-proof enclosure) this spring. At our old property, we had what we called a “Rabbitat” set up the same way. Visitors loved it and could sit with them watching them hop around and twitch noses and come up to them for pats. It was quite magical. It was also a wonderful educational tool and gave us a chance to teach folks about this often misunderstood animal. Cages are horrible contraptions, as are tiny hutches. Rabbits should be given enough space (they need 4 hours of exercise room a day) to run, play, hop and do those magical leaps in the air where they twist and turn called: “binkies” (an expression of absolute joy). Spring is not far off, and with your help, we could let them stay here and live out their lives in an amazing setting. Or, they will have to go into a shelter where they are often kept in plastic cages until they are adopted into what we can only hope will be loving, forever homes. We also hope that they are housed in pens not cages or hutches where they are lonely and largely ignored and once again find themselves at the mercy of ignorance; for rabbits have special needs and require special medical care. Reading the numerous daily requests from people asking to surrender their rabbits to us, I don’t hold out a lot of hope. But, with your help, we could change all that. At least for this rabbit family.
(The 7 newborn kits. They are just starting to open their eyes. I am glad it is a nicer world for them to see.)
We are hoping to raise $10k to build a future “Rabbitat” for this growing colony of rescue rabbits. We will need to purchase a barn and fencing. We will also need donations to provide food and supplies and medical care for spays and neuters. Please give $5 or $500 and help us give these beautiful beings a happily ever after. Together, we can give many of them a wonderful, magical home right here, with us. Please help us raise enough funds to keep them at the sanctuary where a beautiful forever home is guaranteed! But, we cannot do this without your help! Please donate now!
(Please note: we are not receiving any financial support from the state. For this, we rely as always on our beloved donors who stand steadfastly by our side, fighting along with us to protect innocent animal lives.)
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