Developing a Solid Vet relationship for your Rescue and Nurturing it
Nurturing and cultivating your personal relationship with your vet and office staff is invaluable.
Disabled bunny Pat at the vet
When you begin to rescue rabbits, or ideally before you take in your first bunny, have an established vet clinic. Ask at the clinic and your primary veterinarian if they can offer a rescue discount. The main discount you will need is a price for spay & neuter.
Fortunately for me, my vet offered a spay and neuter discount before I began. She also established a Paypal account so that I am able to receive donations directly to the clinic via Paypal. This helps immensely and allows donors to feel comfortable knowing their donations will go directly to the care of bunnies.
Please keep in mind that most animal care providers are struggling. The number of personal pets skyrocketed during the pandemic, costs for everything has gone up. The NOMV- Not One More Vet suicide syndrome is a reality. Bunny vets/exotic practitioners are in demand and short supply. Establish healthy lines of communication with your primary bunny vet and their staff/team. This will allow you to be more effective in rescuing bunnies and obtaining medical care for them, more effectively. Establish a solid working relationship and an increasing level of trust with your vet. What you put in in terms of effort will hopefully be reciprocated.
No matter how busy you may be, remember the vet clinic is probably 3-4 times as busy. When they cannot fit you in, they probably really cannot. Look for a second vet clinic as a backup.
I like to acknowledge all clinic staff and their service. We bring treats on behalf of the rescue and bunnies. I try to acknowledge birthdays, holidays and generally show my appreciation.
Often times as clients we cannot see the chaos of the day at the clinic. There may be angry clients, more than one euthanasia, etc. Please remember that without a discount and a bonafide vet relationship, you have no ability to rescue bunnies.
