Recently, a dedicated WHS volunteer went out of her way to make sure our animals were the happiest they could be while living in our shelter. Having grown up in the country around many animals, especially rabbits, PACK (People & Animals Cardio Klub) member and Shelter Star volunteer Carlin Abbitt knew how active and inquisitive bunnies could be. She had seen cats and ferrets taken for walks on leashes and thought, “why not try it with rabbits?” On her own time, Carlin purchased a small animal harness so that she and other volunteers and staff could better exercise the rabbits at our New York Avenue facility. On her first day using the harness, she took five rabbits – one at a time – for a long walk in the puppy play yard (while the dogs were not present of course!). She watched as each bunny seemed to enjoy his new experience more than the last. The rabbits ate grass and leaves, chewed branches, sniffed everything in sight and even got playful by running and kicking out their hind legs.
Like all animals, we provide our rabbits with everything we can to make their stay with us comfortable and fulfilling. Every day they receive Timonthy Hay and a high-quality pellet and fresh vegetable diet. We also provide them with enrichment toys, such as straw tumblers to chew. In addition, we have several volunteers who specialize in bunny care, who also enjoy exercising the animals outside of their cages – however, this activity usually takes place in a small indoor pen – making Topsy (pictured above) and company’s most recent journey the first official outdoor bunny walk!
We can’t thank our volunteers and staff enough for their dedication to providing the highest quality of care possible to our animals of all shapes, sizes, age and breed. Their attention and thoughtfulness helps make WHS the leading voice of compassion for animals in the DC community. We truly could not fulfill our mission without such a committed group!
As we enter our second month of the “Save More Lives: ASPCA $100K Adoption Challenge,” what the animals of DC need most right now is the support of their community. Show that dc loves dc animals and adopt, foster or volunteer with us. Learn more at www.dclovesdcanimals.org.
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