We all know the local pound and larger scale rescues, like RSPCA. But what about smaller rescues? What about animals, whose care is forgotten? 

One rescue in Bendigo is making a name for themselves and for the rabbits; Kelly’s Rabbit Warren Rescue. Bendigo’s one and only rabbit rescue’s founder has given us a glimpse of what goes on in running a rescue, and how the only rabbit rescue in regional Victoria came to be.

YO Media team member, Mak, met with Kelly to find out more!

Mak: How long has the rescue been up and running?

Kelly: We officially started July 2022, but we had been working towards officiating the rescue three months before, gathering the necessary paperwork, meeting rescue requirements and making sure everything was done by the book to be an official non-forprofit organisation.

Mak: What inspired you to start the rescue? 

Kelly:I had worked in animal rescue most of my life, mostly with cats and dogs since 2013 and had a lot of experience with rehabilitating dogs. After adopting my first rabbit, I saw the conditions he came from. He had lost a toe from being kept on a wire bottom cage; it took me eight months to gain his trust. During this time, I was made aware of rabbits that been dumped in the streets, abandoned that had nowhere to go. I was having a day out with a group of friends, just a random catch up, when I brought up the idea of creating a rescue and board for the rescue, that’s where things began. 

Mak: What are the tasks involved with running a rescue? 

Kelly: Our rescue runs as a non-for-profit foster care network state-wide. We organise fundraising for vet bills and the costs involved in running a rescue. We facilitate bunny meet and greets, bunny dating, bunny area inspections and interviews as part of our adoption process. We provide lifelong support for all bunnies we adopt out as well as supporting the community with bunny-related issues and inquiries. We run social media to bring awareness to the rescue and allow people to see and support what we are currently working on.

Mak: What are the misconceptions about rabbits? 

Kelly: A rabbit’s diet is much more than carrots. They need hay and need to have access to it 24/7. They should have 80% hay, 15% of leafy greens and 5% treats or high-quality pellets. Most rabbits do not like being picked up as they are prey animals and would prefer you getting down on their level. They are not good first pets for children as they are high maintenance animals and need adult care. They're highcost pets as they are classified exotic by vets and need regular check-ups. Rabbits are able to be fixed and microchipped and for the health and safety of your rabbit both should be done as soon as possible.

Mak: What are you currently working on? 

Kelly: While we continue our mission of bringing rabbits in, caring for them and finding their forever homes, we are also currently working on creating a permanent sanctuary for our disabled and special needs bunnies that cannot be adopted out due to needing high levels of care. One of our permanent care bunnies is Zero (pictured above), who was found with a fractured spine and unable to use his back legs. He now has a wheelchair that he enjoys running around in and receives the care he needs being a paralysed bunny. He is bonded with Uno and Benji. Uno came to us with multiple health issues and needs regular medication. Benji came into our care recently, he is a twelve-year-old blind bunny who will spend his retirement in our sanctuary.

Interview by Mak