Xmas at the bunny Sanctuary

Not really sure what I expected......

Well yesterday morning 8am i was out the door and on the M27 on my way to help out with the bunnies, feeling all festive and with a car full of blankets, towels, food & toys.

It didnt take long for that festive feeling to be promtly removed. I was met by a slightly grumpy man who made me feel like a naughty child, who in a rather short fashion barked instructions at me and motioned me to a large greenhouse.
I tried to explain that I had a car with me stuffed with goodies - but he wasnt the slightest bit interested. I wasnt expecting un-ending gratitude - a "happy christmas" or a "thanks for making the trip on christmas day" might have been nice. Even a little bit of interest in what I had brought along would have been great.

I was then left more or less to my own devices. Luckily another lady turned up who had been once before and knew the ropes! She had been given strict instructions on how the only hay they were allowed was to line their litter trays (!!) and how they were only allowed a very small amount of food because "they were getting fat".

I loved loved loved spending time with the bunnies and i felt like - to them - I made a difference...they all got a cuddle, and since id brought a ton of food, hay and greens with me I gave them all lots in a blatant flout of the rules!!

I then went to leave - no one was about, so I knocked on the door of the house and asked what I could do with all the stuff. I was told to leave it in one of the buildings. So i did and i left. The man did manage a half hearted thanks when i climbed into the car.

So I left feeling a bit **** actually. They are very short on equipment for the bunnies. The hutches and pens were in a right old state, and I could see that supplies were very low. The bunnies all looked healthy though (although certainly not fat).

My point is that if volunteers are not made to feel welcome (even at christmas) donaters not made to feel to be appreciated, then im not surprised that they are so despirately short on equipment, supplies and volunteers.

For myself Im going to go again because I felt like a made a difference to the bunnies, but I could see how a someone else might say - well sod them then!

I guess im just feeling dissappointed and deflated. Very odd.

Aww what a shame
It would of been nice if you felt appriciated, Im sure not many people would be as selfless as to give up their xmas morning!
No wonder some rescues/charities are low on funds if thats the way they treat volunteers :S
You did a lovely thing though, im sure the buns were very happy :]

Kate x

what a lovely thought pitty about the appriciation.(He Probably doesn't like xmas)

Wow!! That's really too bad!!

I used to work at a vets office (first job ever) and I felt pretty much the same way. I loved spending time with the animals but felt like I was mostly a nuisance to everyone else... the big difference is I was getting paid and you were doing it out of the kindness of your heart! I definitely know the feeling of "doing it for the animals" though!

I guess there is only one solution... to OPEN A BUNNY SANCTUARY OF YOUR OWN!

Oh the bunnies were sooooo lovely. Unfortunately hubby said he would be checking my pockets for bunnies on my return home so couldnt sneak any out! Miserable sod!

That sounds a bit lame, I'm glad the buns made it worthwhile

Well it doesn't matter what the grumpy old git said or did. What is important is that YOU made a difference to those bunnies' lives. YOU cuddles them and gave them a lovely day. That was a lovely kind thing for you to do on Christmas Day. If the owners are too blind or ignorant to see that, well that is their problem. Well done you. XX

Hi Katie

Well, I'm glad I met you because through you I've found this brilliant site

I've been to the rescue centre many times over the years, although Christmas Day was only the second time I had actually done any work there, and the owners are much better with animals than they are with people. I agree with all your comments but I have found that the more the owners get to know me the more amenable they have become and they are absolutely brilliant with the cats and bunnies.

If you go again and get a chance to speak to some of the other staff there they are really lovely - completely different. Friendly and chatty as well as being extremely knowledgable.

I was put off by the attitude of the owners initially but I just let it go over my head now. I think they do appreciate what volunteers do - they are just bad at expressing themselves and are not 'people' people.

I think the male owner was particularly stressed as he had some very poorly kittens and a bunny who he had been hand feeding - which probably entails him having very little sleep. Sadly, the bunny died while we were there but I saw the kittens when I went inside to see my own poorly bunny and he's done an amazing job with one of them just getting the little one to survive with no Mum.

I will be going again because I believe we did make a difference to the buns and I think it was great smuggling them in treats and lots of extra veg. I was glad to have a partner in crime

I appreciated you being there anyway - lots. I'd have hated to have had to work on my own in the greenhouse.

Hi Rhianna,

Right then partners in crime we will continue to be!! Ill let you know when my next sunday will be......i was thinking the 17th Jan - armed with unauthorised bunny treats and extra hay and greens.

Like you say perhaps when ive been a few times ill feel more welcome.....and as long as the bunnies are happy - thats the main thing!

Sounds good to me. I had hoped to get Justin back today but he is still not eating

When I next speak to Nigel I will mention 17 Jan. I think he wanted us to fill that form in too.

I'll collect some hay, greens and treats too. The bunnies are who really matter. Hopefully, some of them will get rehomed in the new year. Sunday afternoons are when people can come and look at them with a view to adopting. One of the really nice staff usually works then - she is totally lovely and has been really supportive to me over Justin, when I was tearful.

With practice the bunnies may get used to hiding their treats

Tee hee

Yep ill get on and fill in the form.

Big hugs for Justin x x x x And you too, I know how stressful it is worrying about a poorly bunny, so take care of yourself too. x

Well done for what you did - you definitely made a difference to the bunnies' day!

Shame about the grumpy man, as you say, it's not the best way to encourage volunteers! Hope you get on better the next time you go.