I want to make it a tradition to sponsor a shelter rabbit financially every Easter by raising money.

Last year I raised money through an Easter Basket raffle and donated it to RabbitRescue.ca. This year I would like to sponsor a certain rabbit, particulalrly a special needs rabbit so people can see which rabbit they are helping. There are so many shelters to choose from and I'm running out of time to pick one. Which need the most help? Any input would be great. It has to be a Canadian or US rescue. Thanks.

That's a great idea!  There are so many worthwhile rescues so that's a tough question.  My favorite, of course, is Save A Bunny, www.saveabunny.com.  They are so incredible and they are very particular about who they adopt out to.  I can't say enough good things about them.  But like I said there are numerous great ones that many of the members here have connections to.  Osprey, for sure goes above and beyond for his rescue. I hope he'll respond because now I have forgotten the name of his rescue.  Good luck and what a wonderful idea.

We are The Rabbit Haven (http://therabbithaven.org).  Our most expensive bunny this year has been Jossalin (you may remember my "I have to rant" thread about her).  We had to pay for her to have a rear leg amputation, which is in the neighborhood of $1000.  We have also spent a ton of money on guinea pigs this year, taking a 63 at once from a single shelter dump, many of whom were sick and had been trampled..

Another option is the rescue that Sarita and MooBunnay work at, North Texas Rabbit Sanctuary (ttp://ntrs.org).  They are also paying off vet bills from an amputation for Cupcake.  Unfortunately, there are many broken bunnies around.

Wow, $1000.00 for an amputation. That's insanety but I guess it's a lot more complicated than it seems.

SARITA/MOOBUNNAY - I just visited your shelter site and am interested in the yearly bunny sponsorship. Just curious do you pick which bun you want to sponsor or does the shelter pick the most needy bunny?

Thanks for thinking of us, LPT!  We can use all the help we can get.  Your post reminds me that I have not heard anything about Dixie since her setback last month.  I'll try to get an update on her condition.

Marcy e-mailed me about it this evening:

Dear Friends,

Oh God, how can I not go since I live in Mill Valley and Save a Bunny is in Mill Valley.  I just think I'll be so upset but I guess I have to get over that and try and help.  Markusdark - what kind of help exactly do you think they need?

I talked to Heather last night and asked about Dixie.  She is not doing very well.  Her leg will not heal.  She is going to go back to Dr. Harvey for the 3rd possible treatment and if it fails, her leg will have to be amputated   We are all hoping she gets better soon.  I'll update you when I know more.

It is a foreleg that was broken.  Here story is here http://therabbithaven.org/sn/Dixie_122107.html

This is a related, happy ending type story.  We had a bunny with a missing foot on a foreleg name Jimmy.  He came to the shelter missing the foot, so we don't really know what happened to him.  He was adopted by a family who had a bunny with a missing rear leg, and they are inseparable now.  They even manage to navigate stairs.  Jimmy's Story.

Sorry for not responding sooner to this email.  Things have been hectic for me.

Of course, the main thing that Save a Bunny could use is foster homes.  They just do not have the room.  They have 3 litters that they need to adopt out as well as all of the new buns that came in so any space that can be freed up will help.

In addition, they can just use the extra hands to help with cleaning cages, treating buns and even just socializing them.  I am pretty sure no help will be refused.  Oh, and donations are always a plus. 

I hate to say it but this is just another chapter in rescue shelters.  I know Rabbit Haven recently had their Guinea Pig flood and they always get hit hard and usually out of nowhere.  There will never be enough room, help or foster homes.