SPCA- The Good and the Bad

[LittlePuffyTail]

The last couple of weeks volunteering at the SPCA, I’ve really enjoyed my time with the cats and bunnies. When I go with my friend I usually spend half my time with cats and half with bunnies. When I go alone I pretty much focus just on the bunnies. I am planning on going lots this summer because it’s so close to my house that I can walk or bike while my bf has the car.

There are 6 bunnies living in the shelter right now. One I’ve become very fond of: Rex who is a big, black standard Rex. He reminds me of a giant Stormy, I guess that’s why I like him so much. Last night I played with a bunny named Jack Frost who I’m pretty sure was the guy in the Cadbury commercials. Most of the bunnies are surrendered due to moving (AAAGGGHH! That makes me want to scream!!!Unless your moving so far that you need a long plane ride, that’s not an excuse!!! Pack bunny up and take him with you!!!!)

I find it annoying how all the staff seems so surly. They always seem annoyed that you’re in the way. No one ever smiles or says “Hi”. You’d think they’d be glad we are there helping.  There is one guy that is always really friendly but that’s pretty much it. I know that they are busy but I don’t like feeling unwelcome when I’m volunteering to help.

Second, and most upsetting to me, is that they really are not what I would consider rabbit “savyy”. Rabbits are the third largest population of the shelter so shouldn’t someone be educated? I know that they get pellets and unlimited hay but I’ve yet to see greens. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they don’t get any. They seem to get unlimited pellets and a couple of the bunnies are very much overweight.  Yesterday I found a bunny nibbling on a piece of apple core with seeds! Of course we all know that seeds are really bad for rabbits; shouldn’t they? I took the apple core away. And another time I found a grape stem in a cage. I had read that grape stems ands seeds were poisonous. Whether that’s true or not I’m not sure, but I know they are not one of the reccommended treat foods. And last but not least, they get shavings. I assume the shelter cannot afford anything else and it’s better than nothing but still I wonder if they are even aware of the whole “bunnies and shavings” thing.

I find this really hard because I am such a passionate rabbit advocate but I find myself too shy to say anything. I’m extremely shy around new people. My plan is just sort of to go as much as possible so the people will get to know me as “the bunny girl” and then I can start asking questions and giving input. I would very much like, in the future, to be the rabbit volunteer that is sort of in charge of all the rabbit stuff.

Sort of a rant I guess, but thanks for listening. I needed to get it out!!!

 

My buddy, Rex.

[Beka27]

I hear you LPT! I am just thankful that those bunnies have SOMEPLACE to go. So many more are not that fortunate.

I also recognize that the majority of what they do is out of necessity. Funds are limited and have to be split so many ways.

The buns are lucky to have you helping.

[Sarita]

Those buns are so lucky to have you!

Realize as Beka mentions that funds are limited and it’s hard to know what their priorities are. As for greens, this is not uncommon for rabbits and other small animals not to get them in shelters due to limited resources (space & money). The rabbit rescue I used to volunteer at rarely gave greens – it was always just pellets and hay. On occasion a carrot and some greens – it wasn’t for lack of want, it was for lack of space and funds.

As for the staff being surly – they are probably a stressed out bunch.

[Elrohwen]

I’m with Sarita that my local shelters don’t give greens – there just isn’t the money for it (my shelter has 30-40 rabbits). They also feed alfalfa pellets, because they’re significantly cheaper, but have timmy pellets on hand for those bunnies who can’t handle alfalfa. I’m sure they’re doing the best they can!

As for the shavings, maybe you could suggest newspaper? My shelter gets old newspaper donated to them. A layer goes down on the solid cage floors, then a bunch goes in the litter box with hay on top (the whole cage is changed out every day). It’s safer than shavings and free!

I’m so glad you’re helping out – I bet the bunnies really appreciate having someone come in to play with them.

And about the staff – have you tried talking to them? What are your responsibilities while you’re there? It could be (and I’m just guessing) that the staff have a ton of work to do and then most volunteers just come in to play with the cute animals. Maybe offering to clean cages, feed, etc would make them appreciate how devoted you are? Completely ignore this if you already do those things, but it was just something I thought of after spending time in a couple different shelters.

[Beka27]

I also have to wonder what the “turn-over” is for shelter volunteers. If they have many people who are very excited about volunteering, and then within a few weeks, burn out and stop coming, I could see why they would be a little bit defensive against trying to forge friendships with newcomers. I would advise that you just keep showing up, keep to a predictable schedule, be polite, smile or nod in passing. I’m sure at some point, they may recognize your devotion and commitment to the volunteer work.

[Elrohwen]

Beka, I agree. I was thinking something like that, but couldn’t figure out how to say it.

[Lani]

I completely hear you about rabbit education at the SPCA. I got my bun from our local SPCA and every time I went to see her before I brought her home she had no pellets, very little hay and about 6 half eaten slices of apple at any given time. This was true for all of the small animals there. One of the workers (not a volunteer) actually commented on her diet when I went to fill out my paper work and said “she does seem to have a little bit of diarrhea” and I wanted to scream NO KIDDING!!  Blah. I’m just glad I got her out of there and she didn’t have any serious health issues from such a diet. I understand about not having a budget for all of the greens but you’d think if they noticed diarrhea they’d try to do something to get rid of it instead of continuing to feed apples.

Glad you’re able to keep an eye on those buns when you’re there, they’re lucky to have you!

[peppypoo]

My local rabbit shelter rarely gives greens either – more of a treat than a staple, unfortunately. Like everybody else said, funds are pretty limited…I can’t imagine how much it would cost to feed 200+ bunnies greens every day!

If you’re hesitant to talk to somebody in person, is there a way you could reach people over e-mail? Maybe you could mention that you’re a volunteer with a lot of experience with rabbits, and you’re willing to work and see to it that the rabbits are getting the care they need. It might be easier than talking to someone in person…at least it wolud be for me!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thank you for all the input guys, I really appreciate it.

With regards to the greens, I didn’t realize that was very common at shelters. I can certainly understand about the costs when there are a lot of rabbits. Just feeding my 3 buns greens all winter was pretty rough on the wallet. (30 to 40 rabbits! Wow. My SPCA would definitely not have room to accommodate that many).

That’s what I’m going to do: keep showing up and being nice. I might take your advice Peppy and e-mail the volunteer co-ordinator and introduce myself. I’ve sort of been brainstorming about starting a website about helping rabbits in my province so I’d like to get that going and I could direct them to my site as well.

Beka- I suspect the “turn-over” is high. I went to the mandatory new volunteer meeting and there was about 30 people. The staff was really surprised but it was the first day of March Break and I figured a lot of people were just looking for something to do during their time off. I’ve seen a few recurring volunteers in the afternoons.

As far as I know, I’m the only one who takes the rabbits upstairs to the “play” room so it makes me feel good that I’m doing something to help the rabbits.

[Monkeybun]

LPT, you could suggest newspaper for litter instead. Thats what OHS uses for their shelter buns. It is all donated, so its even cheaper than buying shavings And even if not enough newspaper gets donated.. there’s always free newspapers somewhere

OHS doesn’t have alot of room for bunnies either. It can hold9 singles in teh small animal room, or 9 pairs, or a mix there of. plus a little extra room in the back. Alot of the bunnies can also be found in foster homes too! I like volunteering for OHS, they have good people on staff. One of the people in charge of the bunnies is a Rabbit Advocate volunteer

[MimzMum]

The most important thing is that you are there, and for some time during the day, the bunnies, and the kitties, are getting attention and LOVE. This is the best thing you can do for them all, and you are my hero for being there for them! ^_ ^ (((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))
I could not go into a shelter without wanting to take every single bunny/kitty/doggy/piggy back home with me. *nods* You have a good deal more strength than I.

0_o Thems some BIG ears on that bunneh! 0_o; Wow!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, Mimz. It is very hard because there are so many I want to take home (all the bunnies! and a bunch of kitties) but I know that financially I just cannot at this time and as for rabbits, if I had more than my 3, they would not get the time and attention they deserve. Going to the shelter to spend time with them is the next best thing I can do.

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