to feel unsure about what I've done - RSPCA and rabbit

[RabbitIssue]

Long story but I went with my family to a sanctuary on Saturday to take part in a feeding experience.

A couple of things concerned me though, 1 of the rabbits didn't seem to have a water bottle in its cage (most of the rabbits were free ranging). I asked and the guy said 'oh its in the other barn' - not quite sure how that was going to help the rabbit but still. Then my children were holding some of the young animals and I was making sure they were being really careful, one animal moved and my dd nearly dropped it, i had my hands under to ensure she didn't and the guy said 'oh don't worry they've fallen from higher than that before'

I saw a free roaming rabbit that was really tame, didn't even move when I stroked it. I noticed fur missing under its chin, I picked the rabbit up and took it to the man working there. He said the rabbit had had a litter and had pulled the fur from its chest to line the nest. He did say the rabbit had had antibiotics but wasn't on them now and didn't need anymore.

I held the rabbit for ages, fell in love with it and half jokingly said 'do you rehome?' He said yes and I said we'd love to take the rabbit home (have cage, run, all suitable stuff, my dd's two rabbits died two months ago). I was a bit shocked that he didn't ask me for address, phone, do a home visit etc. End result - paid donation, took rabbit home.

Get home and realise rabbit is ridiculously thin. Take straight to vets - the fur missing under chin isn't from nest lining but a nearly golf ball sized abscess from a tooth infection. Rabbit is weighed and is less than half the weight it should be.

Hand feeding rabbit now, booked in for teeth/mouth check under sedation early in week. Vet says rabbit may not survive. Very sad. We will pay all the vet fees and I will give the rabbit a loving home if she pulls through (crossed fingers)

So, I ummhed and ahhed and phoned the RSPCA to report the sanctuary. I feel really bad, on the one hand, because it is a sanctuary but on the other hand surely this is terrible neglect? The rabbit must be in considerable pain and would have died if I hadn't seen it and taken it home. There were several other rabbits there that looked 'manky' not good phrase but they didn't look in top form, the other animals all seemed fine.

What would you have done? Should I have told the RSPCA or not?

Ah what a sad end - but so glad she had 4 lovely and loving days with you.

Poor Myrtle. Giving GAs to rabbits is very risky (and expensive) - these little prey animals are designed to live fast and die young, they don't react to stress and trauma very well. You and the vets did the best they could to save her and you gave her four days of love. Animals sense that, I think.

You did a good thing xxx

Voucher for the feeding experience... So they were profiting from their maltreated animals then.

OP, if you google the "sanctuary's" name, what comes up. I just wonder if a RSPCA raid or similar has made it into the local papers.

Uncaring bastards, but at least Myrtle had a name, and cuddles, and grated apple for her last few days.

I'm sorry, OP. I really hoped Myrtle would pull through. Thank you for giving her a few peaceful, loving days and doing your best for her. I hope the RSPCA have shut that damn "sanctuary" down.

Im so sorry!! U gave him a lovely last few days though op

On no, poor Myrtle. You absolutely 100% did the right thing though, and at least she had some love and apples in her final days.

[anger] at feeding vouchers. FFS.

Oh OP I'm so sorry to hear about Myrtle, but you are the most wonderful of people for showing her such unconditional love and for helping to save all her bunny friends back at that terrible place. Fingers crossed the RSPCA can save them and find them lovely homes.

Sadly theres too many animal places like this, always report and post on trip advisor (a few weeks after to give the RSPCA to catch off guard).

Can I ask if you're in mid wales or thereabouts?
Our local rabbit rescue has put out an appeal to other rescues as a large number of rabbit need urgent rescue space.
Well done btw. Hopefully the others will get help now

Minnisota - no, the Midlands

The experience was wallaby feeding, they just happen to have rabbits, guinea pigs, goats etc there too.

The reason the vouchers have been cancelled and the website is down is nothing to do with the RSPCA

Apparently whoever the 'guy' was selling the vouchers through Groupon/Amazon etc for the sanctuary, sold thousands and nicked off with all the cash. Weird.

Anyway, that's got absolutely nothing to do with the state of Myrtle. I'm irritated now because I was hoping that the RSPCA had actually done something but as they haven't phoned me yet I assume not, not sure how long it takes.

It can take the a while to do a visit, depending on the amount of officers (rangers? Not sure of job title!) in the area and also to visit a larger property they may want to involve the police so they can have immediate rights to seizing the animals.
I would give them another ring, if you know the place is still open, keep pushing for something to be done. Get other people to complain too, unfortunately it can sometimes be a bit of a numbers game, the things that are reported the least get left until last. An chance your vet might put in a word?

Aw that's really sad news that the bunny didnt make it..she had a happy last few days with you though.

Poor Myrtle. We had a very much loved and cared for rabbit (George) who died from a dental abscess, bunnies are prone to them. You might think about getting another one, you sound like a fabulous bunny-frend!

Our current rescue bunny (Speedy MacReadie) is lying beside me on the sofa just now - lovely boy. He's a lone house-and-garden bunny but he grooms all the girls (we've 4 girl guinea pigs) every day and then leaves them alone, apart from trying to steal their daily parsley treat!

He has recently started sleeping on the end of my bed on days dh is away on call!

Weegie - too cute

It's getting really convoluted... I called the council (can you tell I've got steadily more pissed off about this since Myrtle died??). They told me that...

They'd had no concerns over the 'sanctuary' in general but...
the old owners, who own the business that the sanctuary is in the grounds of, gave the running over to some bloke who then started selling the 'feeding experience' vouchers. He's now legged it with the money and the old owners have taken back over. They apparently had had their own concerns over the running of it by this 'bloke' and had called the council themselves. A vet has been out to see the animals (the Monday after we went). So at least that's good.

Thing is, I described the guy who showed us round to the lady at the council and she said that that was this 'bloke' who'd legged it with the cash, but he was about 18! God knows why they trusted the running of the sanctuary to him but still.

Still trying to get back through to the RSPCA.

Thank goodness a vet has been out to them, that's one good step at least.
If the old owners have taken over again might it be worth dropping an email or phone call to them to let them know about your experience, they don't sound very sensible letting an 18 year old take on a sanctuary but they may well have thought they were doing the right thing and are now trying to make amends.

Hoe youre doing ok op x

ohh so sad :( im sorry op. yes please do keep hassling them. xx

Oh no. Poor Myrtle. Well done for giving her such a dignified end.

To anyone who reports to the RSPCA; if you are doing it for the right reasons then no need to worry.