Pets
East Bay Rabbit Crisis: How To Help
All over the East Bay, rabbits are being abandoned and having trouble finding a home. Shelters are at capacity. Here's how you can help.
DUBLIN, CA — Housing is a problem all over the East Bay, including for rabbits.
Joan Wegner of Dublin-based East Bay Rabbit Rescue told Patch that for every rabbit adopted, three more take their place.
“In the decade that we have been rescuing bunnies, we have never felt so helpless. In a typical year, we re-home over 200 rabbits. Interest has suddenly waned,” Wegner said, citing landlord pet restrictions, a shortage of vets, and evictions as a few reasons for the ballooning crisis. Many release rabbits into the wild, where Wegner says they are not equipped to survive.
Find out what's happening in Dublinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
If you would like to help these furry friends, there are several options in addition to adopting.
Adoption: View available bunnies at https://www.eastbayrabbit.org, and fill in an adoption questionnaire.
Find out what's happening in Dublinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Fostering: You can provide a temporary foster home (minimum four weeks) for the rabbit until a permanent arrangement is found. East Bay Rabbit Rescue provides a 2 by 6-foot pen and food.
Transport: Help transport the bunny from the shelter to the house, or to vet or adoption appointments.
Shelter volunteers: 1-2 hour weekly, biweekly or monthly shifts are available at understaffed shelters.
Donations: Donate online at https://www.eastbayrabbit.org/donate.
For more information, email eastbayrabbit@gmail.com.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
