Henryville Confiscation Case

Today I took a break from classroom set up to help Mary and Judy with the Henryville Confiscation case and the 34 rabbits that are being housed at an equine rescue. This was honestly one of the toughest things I have ever done.

Background on case-

31 rabbits as well as a pony and mini dwarf were taken to Heartland Equine Rescue in Henryville due to possible neglect and abuse.  Originally, we were told the rabbits were being fed and looked after once a week.  Now, we are being told someone fed them once a day which I personally think after laying hands on these rabbits that is not correct.  Even so once a day is not enough for any rabbit and especially not for the larger breeds and nursing mommas.  As of right now, these rabbits will remain at Heartland until the prosecutor decides whether or not to press charges against the responsible parties.  We were told the Indiana State vet came in this afternoon to lay hands on all the rabbits and document their conditions.  I believe once this is compiled it will be given to the prosecutor to make his/her decision.  We are hoping charges are filed or the owners are told to surrender the rabbits.  Once either is done we will be able to place these rabbits into rescues and foster care to seek further medical assistance.  

The Rabbits-

There are 31 of various breeds and health conditions in 17 different cages.  Included are 4 nursing mommas with babies of varied ages.  The litters are no larger than 3 kits but that doesn’t mean there may not have been more at one time.  One litter actually lost a kit last night and that added to the heartbreaking things I saw today.  Some of the breeds of the herd today include:

A Flemish Giant who had the worst case of ear mites in the bunch.

Several black and white Dutch rabbits and one brown and white Dutch.

2 Jersey Wooleys and one of them might actually be an angora considering how fluffy he/she was.

Several lops of various types (mini, French)

A Rex

A Chinchilla Buck who can do a very scary performance of a bunny flop.  

2 or 3 Lionheads of varied sizes/age.  One is a little ball of white fluff.

Plan/Goal-

Today’s plan/goal was to medicate each rabbit for the ear mites and rabbit syphilis.  The babies luckily did not get the injections for syphilis and only received the ear drops.  To accomplish this goal we worked together in almost an assembly line fashion to treat each rabbit. We set up an “exam table” with towels and all of our medical supplies then surrounded the table with 2 large pens in case of an escape.  The ex pens also allowed us to give the rabbits sometime in the grass to stretch their legs and move around.  Many of the rabbits enjoyed munching on the grass and clover. Once our treatment area was set up we were able to begin the process of medicating the rabbits. 

 First, Mary, our resident bunny wrangler, would bring the bunny to our “exam table”. At the table I would already have the ear drops measured out and ready to be put in their ears.  Once a rabbit arrived at the table, we would weigh them and document their weight.   This was done so I could determine the dosage of Pen-G as it’s administered based on weight.  As I prepared the Pen-G injections, Mary would put the ivermectin into the rabbit’s ears.  Then I would run around the table to hold the rabbit’s head and comfort them as Mary injected the Pen-G.  We would then let the rabbit have some time to hop around in the grass (within the ex-pen) for a few minutes.  Next, came nail trims with Mary and Judy. Mary would trim and Judy held or comforted the rabbit.  While they did nail trims, I was preparing the next rabbit’s ivermectin syringes, documented the former rabbit’s Pen-G dosage and cleaned up around the table.  We followed this process with all the adult rabbits.  The babies only received the ivermectin in their ears and did not get time in the grass as they could easy slip through the bars of the ex-pen.  

Along with the process of medicating the rabbits, Judy also gave all the rabbits hay, pellets and fresh water.  Before we left she gave several rabbits more water as they had already drank more than half of the bottle in the 3(?) hours we were there. 

Positive moments-

Even in a situation and time surrounded in heart breaking sights there were some positive moments to help keep us going.  When Mary put the Flemish Giant on the grass he/she was so excited to have room and a softer ground that he/she binkied.  For those who don’t know what that means, a rabbit will “dance” by kicking out their back feet like a bucking bronco when they are happy.  One of the Dutch rabbits was so grateful for the play time that they were digging in the grass.  A sweet tan and white lop found the box for our scale on the grass and claimed it as theirs by chinning it multiple times.  One non rabbit related positive moment was watching Jo-Claire’s grandson playing with one of their rescue donkeys named Radar.  Radar liked to serenade us with song and stories while we worked.  You could tell he is a loving boy and adores Jo-Claire’s grandson.  Watching Radar chase and play with him did a good job of distracting us from the sad work we had to do.  

Grateful-

Thank You to many who have helped these rabbits as they sit in limbo waiting to find out what the future holds for them. 

Heartland Equine Rescue, Jo-Claire and her sweet family- deserves a big thanks for taking these rabbits in and caring for their daily needs (food, water, clean cages, etc.) I know the day to day care in taxing especially if you are not used to it.  If these wonderful people had not agreed to house the rabbits, their fate would definitely be very grim. 

Mary- For agreeing to help Heartland by representing Harvey’s House and taking supplies, food and the medicine to the rabbits.  Her professional bunny wrangling skills were put to great use today and I know she must be completely exhausted.  Mary’s knowledge of rabbit care and leadership are what make Harvey’s House such a wonderful rescue.  I have learned so much from her and look forward to following her leadership in the future.  Mary also brought two rabbits that were in the direst condition to the rescue so she could get them direct veterinarian care. 

Judy- for all her help in bunny wrangling as well.  Judy is one of our bunny snugglers and did a fantastic job helping Mary during nail trims on the wilder rabbits.  She also made sure each rabbit had fresh water, lots of hay and pellets.  Refilling water throughout our time there as some rabbits (especially the cages with mommas and babies) drank more water than others.  Judy’s knowledge of legal procedures came in handy to help me better understand how these cases can sometimes go. 

Dr. Jewell- She supplied us with the medication and supplies we would need to treat these rabbits.  She was also kind enough to make a “cheat sheet” to help when determining the correct dosage of Pen-G for each rabbit.  I am especially grateful for that as these poor rabbits have been through enough and did not need to rely on poor math skills to get the medicine they desperately needed.  Dr. J also saw the two direst rabbits that Mary brought into rescue and is helping with their ongoing treatment. 

Thank you to any and everyone else who has donated money to Heartland or Harvey’s House to help with the care of these rabbits.  Also, to those who are sending thoughts and prayers for these sweet rabbits and the possibility of a better future for them.  

Other pictures from today-

Meet Maya

Picture that was sent to me from when she was first rescued. 

On May 29^th, we were told about a bunny in need.  A sweet woman had rescued a bunny that was running down her street and was almost hit by her sister’s car.  The women rescued the bunny and did what they could to keep her safe.  They also put the word out about finding a better home for the girl and called several shelters to see if anyone may be looking for bunny.  This is how we were notified.  Damon and I met the rescuer in the parking lot of a local store and brought her home.  

Her first day with us before her health check. 

After giving her some time to adjust to her new cage and surroundings, we did an initial health check.  I used my monthly maintenance checklist to exam the bunny’s health.  Things looked good except for an obviously case of urine scald on her bottom.  Her tail was so matted that it was completely rock hard.  During this exam I could also determine that this bunny was a girl.  The next step was to get her to our vet so Damon made an appointment for the following day.  Her vet exam (Friday) went well though she did in fact have urine scald.  Dr. J had to shave her bottom and her matted tail.  She would then need to be treated with Silvadene cream on the shaved area (this went on for 10+ days). That night, while Damon was away… Mary (from the rescue) and I wrote back and forth to each other trying to determine a name for this sweet girl.  We finally settled on Maya.  Since this sweetheart was initially rescued on the day the world lost Maya Angelou.  Maya is still living with us and has recovered from urine scald.  She will go to the vet this week to confirm her progress and to discuss her spay.  Maya is a very sweet girl who LOVES attention and gives kisses freely.  She is very under weight and our vet estimates to be about 6 months old.  

I just can't understand why someone would turn this sweet girl loose.  I know all the typical reasons but they just don't make sense.  This baby girl is so sweet, loving, curious and friendly.  Not to mention utterly adorable.  People can seriously irritate me. How could you throw that sweet face out into the wild to fend for herself?  

More updates will come as Maya spends more time in foster care.  

Happy Easter

Happy Easter from our Easter Bunnies.   

                                                     Theo checking out the goodies in his basket.

                      Louie and Mo playing with some Easter eggs while their Peter Rabbit supervises.

In Memoriam 

Today we said goodbye to our dear sweet Charlie Brown.  He has been through a lot but his poor 13 year old body could not hold on much longer.  Charlie was a precious boy who loved soaking in the attention of volunteers.  During his months at Harvey's House, he grew to be one of my favorites and I always tried to make an effort to spend some time with him.  Charlie was the first rabbit I featured on this blog as a way to share is story with the world so others could learn about rabbit care through the eyes of a elder bun who has been through and survived a lot in his many years.  I am so glad he was able to make it to his 13th birthday and allowed us to love on him until the very end.

Charlie Brown
2001-2014

Beyond the Rainbow

 As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played, 

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade. 

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble free, 

where all of us can meet again to spend eternity. 

I saw the most beautiful rainbow and on the other side 

were meadows rich and beautiful lush and green and wide! 

And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see 

were every sort of animal, as healthy as could be! 

My own tired failing body was fresh and healed and new 

and I wanted to go run with them but I had something left to do. 

I needed to reach out to you to tell you I'm alright, 

that this place is truly wonderful - then a bright glow pierced the night. 

'Twas the glow of many candles shining bright and strong and bold 

and I knew then that it held your love in it's brilliant shades of gold. 

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be 

we are still connected by a cord that no eye can ever see. 

So whenever you need to find me we're never far apart 

if you look beyond the rainbow and listen with your heart.

~ author unknown ~

White Fury Chocolates Easter 2014 Update

4/3/14   EASTER 2014- White Fury Chocolates

Well, we have begun taking and filling orders of chocolate bunnies.  Damon and his mom made TONS of mini bunnies to be bagged and sold at our rabbit-approved vet's office.  I am very pleased with how many friends and family have ordered chocolate bunnies.  We still plan to make several extra large and bags of mini bunnies to be sold next weekend at the Egg hunt fundraiser that our rescue is hosting to raise money for the medical fund.  I am excited to see how well the chocolates sell and hope this continues to be a successful fundraiser for our rescue.

4/7/14- Packaging 

We have begun packaging the orders we received for chocolate bunnies.  These are the bunnies we made to fulfill specific orders.  There are 28 bags of mini bunnies and 42 large single bunnies of various flavors.  We have also molded a ton of minis that were bagged and are being sold at our local veterinarian's office.  This week Damon is going to make additional large and minis in milk chocolate, dark chocolate and cookies n cream for the upcoming egg hunt for our friends at the rescue.

Thank you so much to all of our family, friends and coworkers who have ordered bunnies from us.  Your support will go to help many rescued bunnies.   

Rescue Visit - March 29, 2014 (Guest post by Damon)

Former foster bunny Fluffy came for a visit, and we spent a little time with him. The little fella was fun and playful, but wasn't being a cooperative model for the camera. He just didn't want to pose.

As energetic as those little dwarves are, they eventually wear out. Once back in his cage, Fluffy dozed off......and snored. And snored. And snored.

Gytha came out to play, too. She and her sister, Esme, had to be separated recently, and Esme has since been adopted. Gytha is still uncertain when it comes to interacting with people but we're working with her to gain her trust. She's slowly coming along, but it will take some time before she's begging for pets and kisses.

Charlie's Big Day

Today is a special day for one of my buddy's at the rescue.  Charlie Brown turned 13 today!

Happy Birthday, Charlie Brown!