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Rabbit Haven received the distress call from the shelter at 3 PM Monday letting me know that a large number of rabbits in one section of the shelter needed evacuation/rescue immediately. The air-conditioning had failed in this section; and rabbits, pigs and cats were suffering from the intense heat in the triple digits.
Fluids had already been needed to stabilize rabbits, and the shelter’s special needs coordinator called the Haven to evacuate. We responded immediately, sending two Haven staff to evaluate – loaded with ice water bottles, towels for cooling and fluids. Kudos to the quick thinking of shelter staff who called us and other rescue groups to get animals to safety.
On arrival we quickly assessed and decided to remove all the rabbits. The shelter temp was near 89 degrees, and there was no immediate solution to the air conditioning failure. Cages were quickly collected and the sickest rabbits, those at highest risk, were placed in carriers first and placed outside the section room. All rabbits were out in 45 minutes. We did call in Haven reinforcements and set up several emergency foster sites to accommodate the rabbits.
I could not believe how hot it was at the shelter. The poor animals could barely move. Some were positioned with their legs out of the cages. None of them were moving. Some of the rabbits had buried themselves under shredded newspaper to get cool -- without success. The rabbits had received fluids thanks to the quality care provided by the medical staff. The shelter staff was racing around trying to keep the remaining animals cool as we loaded up the rabbits. Great cooperation.
It took about 30 minutes to evaluate and move out the rabbits to a safer section, then they were on their way to foster care with Haven volunteers. Every rabbit survived! Many already have found permanent loving homes; some still wait.
Thank you to Sioux for coming at a moments notice – and to Joanne and Junko and Steve for fostering immediately – Sue of Haven’s Cavy House also dropped everything and came in to evacuate the guinea pigs. Anita, owner of For Other Living Things, and Mike of PetFood Express responded quickly too. They came through providing emergency supplies needed to care for all these rabbits! Both these businesses are truly focused to meet community needs. Their generosity and response to emergencies is incredible and most appreciated. These businesses help us with needed supply when rescues occur and during evacuations and or other disasters.
Many thanks to our sponsors for donated and discounted
products: Petfood Express and For Other
Living Things. Medical care was
provided at very low or no cost courtesy of Dr. Nakamura of Adobe Animal
Hospital, Los Altos, Creekside Hospital of Soquel, the Avian & Exotic
Clinic in Monterey, the Palo Alto Spay & Neuter Clinic, and Calaveras Vet
Hospital in Milpitas. With the help of
these vets, rabbits received medical care needed. What incredible doctors to help out in a time
of need!
Thank you to the entire Rabbit Haven team that makes all
this possible. We are an all-volunteer
nonprofit, and our volunteers are tremendous!
They deserve many thanks for all of the ways they helped create a safe
environment for every evacuated rabbit.
They are amazing people.
www.therabbithaven.org
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