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What do rescues do with 'Unhomeables'?

Sooz

Wise Old Thumper
Since starting to rescue I have taken on two rabbits permenantly due to health problems which mean they cannot be rehomed due to needing specialised care, possible expensive vet treatment and maybe even having a short amount of time left.

I have found myself with another two rabbits who possibly cannot be rehomed...one with recurrent FRS which if we cannot find a preventative for will need intensive nursing when she has a 'turn' and another who appears to be in chronic renal failure (awaiting test results).

Basically what Im asking is how do rescues cope with increasing numbers of permenant residents without becoming full of un-homeables and ending up as a sanctuary rather than an active rescue?
 
I don't have any brilliant answers for this.....though strangely enough, I was thinking about this just the other day myself. So I will be very interested in hearing replies.:)
 
I know bunny camp sanctuary has a big shed for the oldies and invalids - they just keep them but it must be a big burden work wise and financially - I think they run a 'sponsor a bunny' scheme for the permanent residents.
 
Sadly some have to PTS due to limited funds. Most will do everything possible to find sponsorship/longterm foster homes (whereby the Bun is not housed at the Rescue but the Rescue funds Vet treatment-I have done this for 3 ARC Unhomeables), but sometimes there are just not the funds to cover longterm Vet fees for numerous Rabbits :cry: :cry:

Not a nice thought :cry:

Janex
 
Sue at Southampton rescue has a big garden shed that houses all her residential sick buns (she has a few), and their care is sponsored, but I don't know if that covers the costs compltely.
 
what do rescues do with unhomables

bunnies that come into me that i class as unhomable i keep, i run a sponsorship scheme for them, but i know aqt some point ill have so many unhomeables that i probably wont be able to carry on.
my main problem is bunnies with teeth problems it is trusting someone enough to keep up the vetinary treatment.
I know of several people /rescues who put bunnies to sleep with teeth problems however minor the problem maybe although i have considered this:oops: i could never do it, luckily ive roped my parents into fostering so they take my permanents :)
i think its a very sad situation which every rescue must face at some point and sadly there just arent enough special people who would take on bunnies with problems :cry: and also the expense
 
As Jane has said a few of ARC's long termers who have had specific long term problems Jane has fostered for us. ARC is lucky as this frees up space for us to accomodate more rabbits.

We have a number of others who 'growl' when their territory is invaded by humans, others who have problematic teeth problems, others who bite, one who has very specific health problems and we have a few who have been with us since January 2005 for no other reason than they are black buns :cry: These will all remain in long term foster with ARC fosterers until their natural time comes for them to go to the bridge, unless Christobel advises differently if they have a health problem which necessitates this. Fortunately for ARC we have enough foster homes and volunteers to cope with a number of long termers, if our bank account is struggling we organise another fund raising event to cope with this! This is the advantage of having a number of helpers ;) unfortunately rescues which are mainly run by 'one man / woman' are not able to absorp long term animals so easily, financially and space wise.
 
I'm not sure of the exact number, but I know Lou has LOTS of permanent residents that can't be rehomed. She doesn't foster them out, but takes on all their care herself along with all the other buns/pigs that are looking for homes (around 200 altogether):shock: .
Methinks she is superwoman!!!!
 
Is there anyway that you could set up a sponsorship kind of thing for the buns? But then I guess you would eventually run out of room and any buns would have to get on with your current bunnies. The other option I guess would to do some kind of fun raising each year for you to be able to keep giving the rabbits the vet treatment they need. I'm sure there would be enough of us in Sheffield and the surrounding area to do some kind of fund raising event every year.

I recently had a cake sale at work and raised over £100 for the RNLI, also HSBC run a £ for £ scheme which means they will match any monies raised, so ended up with over £200 pounds. I could do another one for you in a couple of months. Guess £200 is only small portion of what you spend on rabbits each year tho.
 
We keep the "unhomeables"..Bambi who was unwanted due to her age and the worry she may have had cancer...she didn't:D ...has gone to lifetime foster..Carol cares for her as her own but she stays our bunny and we make the decision on vet care and pick up the bills.

The teeth bunnies..well several have been lucky enough to find new homes and the others will stay with us.
I know some rescues PTS dental buns and this is a shame as we have found that some rabbits only need one or two dentals and their teeth right themselves..of course others don't:(

I couldn't PTS a bun considered "in the way"....aslong as they have a decent quality of life they stay.
 
We have a number of others who 'growl' when their territory is invaded by humans, others who have problematic teeth problems, others who bite, one who has very specific health problems and we have a few who have been with us since January 2005 for no other reason than they are black buns :cry:

This is so sad :( Its a pet hate of mine that people are so fussy about colour and temperament.
Virtually all my buns over the last 15 years have been the aggressive ones that noone wants and in time with patience, respect and space they have all become wonderful, freindly buns.

Sponsorship is a great idea!
 
If I was to set up a sponsorship scheme what would potential sponsors want to see in their sponsor packs? :D

Just thought of something slightly ironic....I sponsor Hope at BARC and my second part of the sponsor pack arrived on Saturday :lol:
 
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I think a sponsorship scheme is a great idea, and I'm intending to help Kayj by sponsoring one of her longterm buns shortly. I don't think I'd want anything in return though, like in a sponsorship pack, but I guess a picture of the rabbit and a thank you card might appeal to some people... I think us people on the forum would just be happy knowing our sponsor fee's are helping these rabbits, other people who sponsor other organisations who do send out packs, etc, may find this appealing as they have something to show for their efforts.

Lou x
 
I think sponsor a hutch type thing is a good idea where you send out a picture and little update on who is currently staying in the hutch each time the resident changes. I think by people getting updates or a picture they can see which animals they are helping, also people might do it possibly as a gift idea. Obviously people who run rescues are very busy, but maybe a friend or volunteer could help out with this.
 
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