Critical Overload at the San Jose Shelter

Update: August 25, 2012

Rescue finalized on the majority of rabbits needing to be out by August 24, and rescue is pending on a final four rabbits left on the urgent needs rescue list at shelter. This work will not be completed until the end of August. It appears that the rescue needs of this shelter far exceeded our expectations. The community in San Jose and many surrounding counties pour animals into this shelter. Given the number of breeders and pet stores selling rabbits and other exotic animals, it is easy to understand the situation at this shelter. Add to this thousands of dogs and cats and you have a recipe for collapse without rescue and community support for adoptions.

San Jose shelter has made space for about 35 rabbits, however the care and maintenance of these rabbits is difficult given current staff levels. Note that the surrendered or abandoned rabbits are not spayed and neutered or may have minor or significant medical concerns due to their former lack of care, abuse or abandonment. This causes the need for extra medical services by the shelter vet or the Rabbit Haven. New litters are also born at the shelter as all females cannot be spayed quickly enough. When this occurs, the shelter must have rescue as they have no space for litters. The other alternative is euthanasia. We have taken out several litters. We do our best to save them.

Most recently we rescued a Dutch litter, misc. mix litter, Hotot litter, bunny mom, Mirida & her three kits. Next, we took our two injured rabbits, both with eye issues. Then just yesterday we took in Elliot, an injured Albino lop baby. He had such terrible urine scald - He is feeling much better now that Kyomi bathed him fluffed him up and took him to his new foster mom. Happily Dana & Jeannie were kindly rescued by SaveABunny, then nine others went to another community rescue program we work with. Rabbit Haven fosters absorbed all the rest. We have asked for additional support from the larger rescue community, but sadly they were too full to help at this time.

It is important to note that all of this work is made possible by the dedicated & creative efforts of our shelter advocate, Kyomi and also the work of Sarah who just started as a part time Shelter advocate. Kyomi has made many changes at the shelter for the benefit of the rabbits and has been our ambassador since June-1-2012. Staff appreciate and respect her work. Rabbit Haven is able to work well within this shelter. Given the work load, we want to add an additional advocate team. Given the number of rabbits involved, we think one-two additional advocates will help spread out the many duties of Haven shelter advocacy program in San Jose. If you are interested in the Haven shelter advocate position please contact me and I will give you full details.

We have also opened the Haven Network to serve all exotics at this shelter. Therefore, when the shelter receives snakes, birds, lizards, and many other exotics pets, we assist in posting and contacting rescue groups to help them place these animals ASAP. The reduction of a multitude of exotic animals in a small back room spaces helps to alleviate staff stress and also assures the animals are in proper facilities for their special needs. Organizations involved so far include NorthStar, Cavy house, Creepy Critters, CAPE, Micaboo, Mica coo and others. 30 animals have been moved to rescue through this program.

Additional program have been added to help adoptions in San Jose. The Rabbit Haven has opened our doors to showing one rabbit from the San Jose shelter monthly at our Sunnyvale adoption show. An additional Haven adoption show is also planned for third week of the month in the San Jose area focusing on San Jose area rabbits. This new show will be opening in September or November. Watch our web calendar for details.

Watch our posts on web, Face book, Blog and Twitter for additional rescue information.

August 20, 2012

Five rabbits on euthanasia list 8-21 or sooner

On Wednesday 8-14, the San Jose shelter was full with 30 rabbits! Rabbit Haven arranged for three rescues that day, which were picked up. It seemed like we could manage these numbers with 3 rescues, so we moved on to the Santa Cruz rescue.

Snowshoe Male

Then, at 6 PM on the same day, a major dumping occurred at the San Jose shelter. It was so fortunate that we had two Haven advocates on duty! (Sarah and Kyomi) The San Jose shelter was slammed with loads of dogs & cats and 11 new rabbits. It was ridiculous to see the long line of people bringing in their pets so late at night. Even when they were told the shelter was full, they still insisted on dumping animals there. Even when it was clear these animals would not have a space and most likely would be euthanized, they still dumped their animals there.

Advocates called The Haven immediately and we all went to work quickly to find rescue and make plans to fit the rest in. At the end of late evening, 11PM, every new bunny got a cage, so no bunny had to go in a makeshift cage on the floor. Some had to bunk in together to make it work. Happily we were able to rescue three right away.

Blessings to Kyomi and Sarah and Lisa of the shelter. They each worked so hard to help these rabbits and to work with me to make space to save their lives. This indeed was a herculean effort - Together, they made it work. Here's a quick recap of new rabbits as of 8-14:

7 Snowshoe (white w/gray tips) 1 in this group had serious leg injury
1 Agouti: young
1 Hotot: young
1 Brown/tan: young
1 Tan: young

11 total!!! The Agouti & Hotot arrived later). Note: This count was just the new rabbits. The shelter was already full at the beginning of the day.

Then, on Friday, 8-17, we received notice from the shelter that 12 rabbits were on the needs rescue list and 6 were due to be euthanized. One, Tama, was set to be killed on 8-18 and five others were on the list for 8-21 (If the shelter did not get more rabbits!). We went to work quickly posting appeals for rescue, adoptions or fosters on Face book, Twitter and contacted all rescues. We took out as many as we possibly could. Marcy of SaveAbunny came through and rescued Tama. We continued to work on the rest.

Dutch Female

Then tonight we received deadly news. Sunday, 8-19 the worst possible thing happened. Even more rabbits were dumped at the shelter. The injured rabbit was euthanized. Even with our rescues and work at the shelter, as of tonight, the shelter has only one space left. As soon as that space is filled, then the rabbits on the list for 8-21 will be at risk of death. That is at least five rabbits and it could be more depending on how many more "surrendered" or dumped rabbits the shelter takes in. Still, there is hope.

There are many ways that you can help:

Rescue: If you are a rescue, please consider accepting one of these beautiful rabbits into your program. We will get them to you. We will cover cost of spay neuter if it is not already done. (Four paws or Palo Alto).
Foster: If you can foster, now is the time. Act quickly as we do not have time to spare. I will give you any information you need if you just call. 831 600-7479. I can send photos, evaluations, anything you need. If you are fostering we provide all set up supply: Pen, food water dish, litter box, sheets, and the cover for the floor. Even a starter pack of food, hay and litter and toys.
Donate supply or funds: If you cannot rescue or foster you may donate money or supply- We are running out of foster set up supply. We need to receive more or purchase more. Transport: You can always offer transport if you are available - Trips sometimes are local in and to San Jose, while other times trip are from San Jose to Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, El Cerrito, or Mill Valley.
Post/Cross post: Let everyone you know read what is happening at the shelter. Let them know how to help.

Call if you can rescue, foster or help in any way 831 600-7479 To donate go to the web www.therabbithaven.org (we have pay pals). Email Director@therabbithaven.org with your ideas.

Have an extra pen or Marchioro, plastic cage? We are looking for 2 door- 43inch. If so, now is a great time to donate this cage. X pens are happily accepted too. We are working to help the rabbits in Santa Cruz as well, so we are running short on supplies.

Thank you for your consideration - just look at these sweet bunnies. There must be some way to save their lives.