Handling Shelter Rabbits

[pinknfwuffy]

I will be volunteering at my local animal shelter soon but wanted to find out if there is anything I should know ahead of time concerning handling other rabbits and animals so I don’t bring any illnesses or problems home to Olaf? I’ll be dealing mostly with rabbits, cats, and occasionally dogs. I’ll be washing up before and after handling any of them (mine included) but is there anything specific to be aware of? I’m excited to get started but want to keep everyone healthy. :]

Also, if you help out at any shelters, what was your experience like? Thanks!

[Krista]

The most important thing you can do is make sure to wash your hands thoroughly between each animal you handle and before you head home. You should also bring a pair of rubber boots or old shoes that you don’t normally wear so that you can wear those around the shelter instead of tracking any possible bacteria, viruses, or fecal residue from any of the shelter animals back to your home. That’s the key way to prevent bringing disease to your pets. If you handle the quarantine ward, make sure they have a pan with bleach outside the door so you can step in it with your rubber boots to get rid of any possible diseases before you continue through the other animals you may handle.

Handling wise, make sure to look for body language so you don’t get hurt. This is mainly for cats and dogs. Make sure to try and appear as unthreatening as you can. Especially in the case of fearful animals. Body language is very important and you must make sure you aren’t accidentally displaying threatening behavior to the animals. (Like towering over them or reaching towards their blind spots).

If you are just socializing animals, like rabbits, let them come to you at their own time. Rabbits are prey animals and some are very shy. If you need to pick a rabbit up I think you should pick it up much like you would a cat and make sure to have a firm enough hold that it doesn’t just hop out of your arms.

Im sure the shelter will give you a run through of how they run things, make sure to take notes!:3 hope this helps

[pinknfwuffy]

Krista, thank you! That is very helpful. I will definitely be sure to bring a different pair of boots to just use at the shelter. I never thought of that. It’s good to know that there are protocol in place for this kind of thing. The last thing I would want is to try and do some good at the shelter but instead end up spreading an illness to any of their animals or my own rabbit. I’d feel terrible. Better to be safe than sorry!

Thanks for the tips! I’ll mostly be socializing them so I’ll definitely be keeping my distance and taking it on step at a time to see how each animal acts, reacts, and their personality. I’ve got Olaf at home so I’m familiar with rabbit handling in general but my favorite part of spending time with rabbits is the passive activity. Definitely don’t want to scare them! Sitting, quietly, watching what they do. It is such an incredible feeling when a shy animal finally finds the courage to come closer and take a sniff of you. Priceless. :]

[LittlePuffyTail]

I used to volunteer with my local SPCA and spent time with the bunnies and cats. As I have bunnies and cats at home, I was always super careful. I would wash hands and arms between pets (this was a shelter requirement anyways) and right before I left. I bought a cheap pair or shoes to wear at the shelter and I would change them and put them in the trunk. Then I would get in the car and put sanitizer gel on my hands. Then go home, immediately strip and throw everything in the washing machine and shower.

I really enjoyed my time working at the shelter, unfortunately, very unfriendly and rude staff made me stop going.

[Q8bunny]

That sounds awesome!
I used to volunteer in the bunny room at our shelter (there are no more buns up for adoption at the mo.). I bought those papery overalls worn by painters and CSI dudes and kept my Hunters there. Latex gloves for any poorly buns or new buns or when cleaning out areas. Plenty of handwashing and lotioning between healthy buns when playing or grooming or giving noserubs (organic lotion is a must – repeated handwashing wreaks havoc on skin).

[pinknfwuffy]

Thanks for the tips, LPT and Q8! I appreciate it. I’ll definitely look into those coveralls as they sound like the perfect way to stay clean. I’m glad I asked ahead of time as this will all be very helpful. I think they only have two bunnies right now but one is very under-socialized and has been there for over a year, poor thing. She never had the opportunity to be anyone’s house bun and lost her mate shortly after arriving at the shelter. I hope to make some progress with her over time.

[Q8bunny]

Poor sweetheart… I wish you success

[Author]

Messages