With several rabbits still looking for permanent homes from the Reno Rabbit Rescue Ranch, the Rabbit Rangers broadened their adoption appeals to animal welfare organizations outside of the bunny realm. After all, where is it written that rabbits --- or any animal for that matter --- will only find safe haven in a species-specific sanctuary? An exhaustive search through the Internet, encyclopedias, animal welfare books and romance novels revealed there exist no laws, tenets or rules anywhere stating rabbits (or any other animal) must live solely among their own kind.

So the Rabbit Rangers contacted greyhound, pit bull, feline and other animal rescues to see if their organizations might have room for 10 or more rabbits. Some groups’ leaders sent along enthusiastic responses. A few others wondered if we had sent them the call to action in error.

Surely a mistake had been made: Rabbits residing in a greyhound sanctuary? Rabbits living in a cat shelter? That’s just crazy talk! What next? Dachshunds at parrot rescue? It just can’t be done!

But it can be done and it will be done. At the end of this month, 50 rabbits will be enjoying a new home with the resident 30 rottweilers at the Broken Heart Animal Rescue in Texas. Founder CJ Rawls has been rescuing rottweilers since 1984. She’s followed the rabbit rescue story since it first appeared on the Best Friends Network months ago. Their plight moved her to action.

“I saw the numbers increase and increase and increase and I wondered what was going to happen to all those bunnies,” she said.

CJ contacted several local rescues to see if anyone had room. She found “that ain’t gonna work.”

So she “thought on it for awhile and did some praying,” and decided she could make room at her rescue for the rabbits. She’d take 50. They’ll be transported to the Broken Heart Animal Rescue at the end of this month.

CJ is getting help with the construction of the runs for her new tenants – they will be living in an area separate from the rotties. She will also be receiving produce donations from the local grocery store.

“You know you can never do something like this alone,” she observed. “But I don’t see why more organizations can’t do the same thing. They’re rabbits. They’re animals. Aren’t we here to do what we can for any creature?”

To find out more about the Great Bunny Rescue, log onto http://network.bestfriends.org, click on Campaigns and select the Great Bunny Rescue or call 435-644-3965 Ext. 4724.

Written by Amy Abern. Photos by Broken Heart Animal Rescue and Clay Myers

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