‘This is a community of very caring people. Despite all the negativity in the world, this work is proof that there are more good people than bad ones.’

Copiague

“I always wanted a rabbit when I was a child, but my parents didn’t want the responsibility. Soon after moving out of my childhood home, I adopted two rabbits. I found the Long Island Rabbit Rescue Group when I was online researching how to best care for my bunnies.

“I attended an event and enjoyed it so much that I ended up volunteering with the organization. At the time, I was not happy with my job, and volunteering gave me such a positive outlet. It made me a better partner, friend and family member.

“I volunteer with the LIRRG now. It saves abandoned, neglected and abused domestic rabbits and educates the public about how to properly care for these sweet creatures.

“Over the past 10 years, I have experienced some very memorable rescues. Once, a conductor at the Long Island Rail Road found a white rabbit cowering under a bench on an elevated platform. The rabbit was not in a cage, and there was nothing stopping him from hopping onto the tracks! Luckily, we were able to get ahold of him and find him a loving forever home.

We put all potential adoptees through a rigorous screening process because rabbits — like any other animal — cannot be an impulse purchase.

“On another occasion, a rabbit was found abandoned in a Sears bathroom at the Broadway Mall. I often think about a little rabbit named Paisley who I fostered during the pandemic in 2020. She had lost the use of her back legs; we assume she was hit by a car or dropped by a human.

“LIRRG can get 40 to 60 calls a month about abandoned rabbits, and many times the people who find the rabbits end up adopting them. This is a community of very caring people. Despite all the negativity in the world, this work is proof that there are more good people than bad ones.

“We put all potential adoptees through a rigorous screening process because rabbits — like any other animal — cannot be an impulse purchase. People need to understand that rabbits can live over 10 years, they need special diets, safe indoor spaces and vets who understand their physiology.

“If something can be chewed, it will be chewed! If you have a rabbit that you cannot care for, surrender it to a rescue. Please don’t abandon it.”

Interviewed by Meagan Meehan