6 Ways to Support Rabbit RescuesDo you want to help rabbits in your local rescue or shelter but don't know where to start? There are many ways you can help rabbits, the first step is to learn about which rabbit rescues are in your area. Live in London, Ontario? Check out The Rabbit Lady's list of rabbit rescues here. The second thing you should do is to contact a rescue and learn about what some of their needs are. Maybe they're doing fine on donations, but could really use some help with finding volunteers for an upcoming event. Figure out your skill set and where you're needed the most. Here are 6 ways you can help rabbit rescues in your area: 1. Adopt Have you been thinking about adding a rabbit to your home recently? Adopting is one of the kindest ways to help rabbits. There are thousands of rabbits in rescues and shelters across North America and thousands more on waiting lists. By adopting, you are directly saving a rabbit's life, plus saving the next rabbit to come into that rescue. Many responsible rabbit rescues spay and neuter rabbits before adoption, saving adopters hundreds of dollars. Although adoption fees can cost more than purchasing a rabbit at a pet store or from online classifieds, adoption fees still include initial veterinary costs which can add up quickly. 2. Foster Fostering rabbits saves lives. When you become a foster parent, you volunteer to keep a homeless rabbit temporarily until they can go to a forever home. Many shelters and rescues rely on foster homes to keep rabbits until they have space, and some run entirely through foster care. Fostering helps rabbits get adopted: foster homes are able to learn about the unique personality of the rabbit they are caring for, which helps the rescue match the right adopters to them. Most rescue groups will even provide you will all the supplies and food you need to care for the rabbit, including covering all vet expenses. The best perk of fostering is getting to spend time with an adorable rabbit. 3. Volunteer Every rescue and shelter will have different volunteer opportunities available. Some of these options may include cleaning cages, doing laundry, socializing and visiting with rabbits, providing transportation, dropping off supplies to foster homes, helping at events, and managing social media/websites. Speak with your local rabbit rescue and see where you may be able to help them. Many rescues are solely volunteer run and could benefit from some extra help. 4. Donate The majority of rabbit rescues will be non-profit or charity based, and rely heavily on the generosity of the community to fund their rescue. Donations can help with everything from veterinary expenses, food, toys and supplies, covering the cost of rent and utilities for the shelter, and helping with advertising costs to promote rabbits for adoption. Donations don't always have to be money, contact a rabbit rescue near you and see if they could use a donation of food or supplies. You can also donate your time to help a rabbit rescue by volunteering. Many photographers will also donate their services to help rescues get adorable photos of their rabbits to add to adoption profiles. 5. Fund-raise A fun way to help a rabbit rescue is to host a fundraiser for them. Most people usually turn to traditional ideas like bake sales and auctions, but there are many creative fundraising ideas. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
It may not seem like much, but sharing posts from a rescue's social media page goes a long way. Share posts that promote proper rabbit care and posts about adoptable rabbits. Each time you share a post, it reaches an audience it wouldn't have otherwise. You never know who might see it!
Comments are closed.
|