We researched several options for adopting a rabbit. We knew a pet store was NOT the way we wanted to go. A friend offered to give us her bunny et al but he wasn't the right bunny for us. My husband even did a search on Craigslist - we are city people, that's what we do first. I had email conversations with a rescue organization (more on that in another post) but realized we were not a good fit for each other.
Through petfinders.com, I found No Splitting Hares, (nosplittinghares.com) a pet rescue about an hour away. They had bunnies we would love to meet. When I spoke to the owner on the phone, she was very straight forward and practical. I really liked that about Lisa. Their visiting days are Saturdays. That Saturday, we took a drive out to see the rescue and to meet bunnies. We did not plan to adopt that day.
No Splitting Hares is located in an old farmhouse that is completely dedicated to rabbits. There is a room with used cages, rabbit accessories (new and used), and rabbit food and litter (all new). When families deliver their animals to No Splitting Hares, they often give away all of the rabbit gear (cages, food and water bowl, toys, etc.). When you adopt a rabbit, you can purchase items from the "store" if you so choose. Great system.
The main floor has 3 rabbit rooms in addition to the kitchen/office and the store. Bunnies are moved to the main floor when they are ready to be adopted. The upper floor is the intake floor where bunnies are assessed, fixed up, socialized, litter trained, etc. All together, there are over 200 rabbits at any given time. Lisa, the owner, takes rabbits returns, breeder overstock, hoarded rabbits, pound rabbits, etc. Her goal is to save the lives of the rabbits, get them healthy and socialized and into good homes.
The worker who took us around each room was very knowledgable. She knew every bunny, their history, their age, personality, etc. She knew her stuff! Based upon our wish list, she showed us the bunnies that she felt would work in our lifestyle and environment.
While we were there, a family dropped off their rabbit. It was a mom and her sons. After they said their "good byes" to the rabbit and left, Lisa said there is typically nothing wrong with the rabbits. People get them home and realize they are not just cute little pets, but you have to clean their cage and play with them. After cleaning the cage a few times, they decide it is too much work.
Our experience with No Splitting Hares was positive, positive, positive. I have searched the internet for negative comments about the organization but cannot find any negative comments made about them. It would appear phone call is the best method of communication over e-mails. If you were taking care of over 250 rabbits and over a dozen volunteers, you might have a hard time staying up on the emails as well.
We ended up adopting a black mini-lop female who came from a breeder overstock. She is absolutely adorable, litter-trained and socialized!!!
