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ALERT....Rapid Response needs Volunteers to aid 511 rabbits in Whittaker, MI

Update 1/16: The rabbits have been moved and the majority of the work has been accomplished by the hard work of volunteers and Best Friends staff! Thank you!

The waters have risen since this photo was taken at the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary in Whittaker, MI. (South of Ann Arbor, MI).

The rabbits, originally from the Reno Rabbit Rescue, are once again in desperate need of help from Rapid Response.

Executive Director for the sanctuary, Lake Jacobson said, “Rabbits are stranded in hay racks and such, and essentially living on little islands. Others are stranded on the east side of the yard, and a lake lies between them and the small area on the west side that is not under water.”

“Some bonded bunnies are separated and many are unable to get to their favorite "safe" place,” said the Director. “Moreover, the fence on the north side of the yard is leaning over to a tremendous degree, and this is because the ground is so flooded that there is no solid ground to secure the fence posts. Of course, our staff is bringing food and shelter to all the rabbits, but this is clearly not a safe or healthy situation.”

Rapid Response Manager Rich Crook is asking volunteers to meet him at the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary to build fences, care for rabbits and move the rabbits to higher ground.

Rich stated, “The Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary supported us by providing a home for these rabbits. It’s only right that we support them now in their time of need. It’s the Best Friend’s way.”

When: Monday, January 15th
Where: Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary
Duration: One week
How: To volunteer, contact Tiffani Hill at responsevols@bestfriends.org

See you in Whittaker!

Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary
POB 7, Whittaker, MI 48190
(734) 461-1726
http://www.rabbitsanctuary.org/

Written by Shelley Thayer

See related story on how the bunnies made their way to Michigan.
http://network.bestfriends.org/michigan/news/10990.html

Posted Jan 11 2007, 12:00 AM by RichC

Comments

Posted 14 Jan 2007 9:54 AM by GLRS

We are very grateful to Rich Crook and Best Friends for coming out to relocate the Reno rabbits to a new yard they are building right now, and an adjoining barn we are renovating. But I want to clarify that the photo of these marooned rabbits was taken after a day and night of very heavy rains. After taking this picture we moved those rabbits and then rented a pump and got rid of all the water except for a small "pond" the rabbits are able to avoid. The yard is very muddy and unpleasant, and any significant rain requires another trip to the rental store for a pump. But the rabbits are not living in hay racks in the middle of a lake, as pictured here. The situation is an emergency, but I don't want anyone to think the rabbits are in imminent danger of drowning. We have all been working very hard to find a solution to this serious problem, and are lucky to have Richard here to help us. Thank you for your support and please come help if you are in our area! --Lake Jacobson, Executive Director

Posted 15 Jan 2007 10:40 by rad123

Thank you so much for clarifying the situation. I'm glad to know that things are not quite as dire as the picture shows.

Posted 17 Jan 2007 6:00 by GLRS

The bunnies have been moved! They are happy in a dry, grassy yard again. We all worked hard to catch most of them on Monday, and then the remainder we got on Tuesday. By 5pm all were in their new home. Construction workers continue to renovate the barn for the rabbits, and this has become quite expensive. Donations would be appreciated to pay for the construction supplies and electrical work. The bunnies will appreciate it. Thank you all for your concern and assistance.
--Lake Jacobson, Executive Director, Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary www.rabbitsanctuary.org