The Rewards of Fostering
by Susan Harrow
http://www.adoptarabbit.com/articles/fostering.html
My first try at fostering rabbits has turned out to be fun,
gratifying, and a learning experience. Late in June 1998, I
received a call from our regional humane society. Three domestic
baby rabbits had been found outdoors, and brought in. They were
too young to stay there, one was not doing well and not expected
to live, and no one there could care for them anyway. Could I
come and get them?
Although I had never had such tiny bunnies before, I agreed
immediately. My husband and I drove quickly to the shelter, my
heart pounding with anxiety. I already felt committed and
responsible for those little rabbits! The staff let us in the
back door, as the shelter was closed for the day. We rushed to a
back room, and there were two tiny white babies, little
cotton balls with ears, huddled in a metal cage. The third baby
had already passed away and had been removed. The remaining
bunnies' tiny ears were drooping pitifully. We gently scooped
them into a small cardboard box, where a piece of soft fleece was
laid. I felt their little tummies, which were rounded. That meant
they'd been fed by Momma Bunny, wherever she was. I sent a
silent, fervent wish to her for her safety, and promised I would
try my very best with her babies.
We took the babies home and set their little box in the
bathroom, which was quiet and had a good heater. I read
everything about fostering infant rabbits in the House Rabbit
Handbook, and also implored HRS chapters from San Diego and
Washington State for help, which I gratefully received. I began
feeding the babies Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) with acidophilus
added, with a tiny syringe. The larger baby started to take the
milk, but the tinier baby wouldn't -- so I would carefully place
a drop on her lips and she would have to lick it off. I was so
worried about the amount they were taking in, so we bought a
small scale and weighed the babies every day. They only weighed 6
ounces at the end of the first week!
Within days, the bunnies were happily lapping the milk off the
end of the syringe. They soon tired of the box, and began to
scramble out and hop around. Whenever I entered their room, they
would run to me, sit on my feet and look up, waiting for their
milk. Those little furry faces totally captivated me! Soon I had
to use two syringes and feed them simultaneously. They started to
nibble timothy and alfalfa hay. They adored finely grated
carrots, but I had to be careful they didn't eat too much and
upset their stomachs. Carefully, I cleaned their bottoms with a
cotton ball and watched them vigilantly for any signs of
diarrhea. I had read that the transition between milk and solid
foods can be critical for baby rabbits. Fortunately, they
continued to thrive.
Now those tiny babies are bouncing youngsters, over five pounds
each! We named them Mork and Mindy. We affectionately refer to
them as our "white buffaloes" for the way they thunder back and
forth in their pen.
Fostering these rabbits was a fantastic experience for me. I
learned so much: infant rabbit care, more diet knowledge, and the
immense satisfaction of seeing those little lives saved. I
formally adopted Mork and Mindy; after all, I'm their mother!
See Also:
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