How to Let Go and Not Hoard Rabbits
From what I have seen but not experienced personally-there may be a fine line between rescuing and hoarding bunnies. I have seen & heard many stories of rescues overwhelmed and overcrowded with bunnies in their care. Maybe it’s too difficult to let go of your favorite bunnies. Perhaps you cannot trust that if you adopt out a bunny you worked so hard to save or that cost a lot in vet bills, they won't be taken care of the way you think you can.
Credit HRS
Personally, I have not had a problem letting go. It does pull on your heart strings and we do have a stronger attachment to certain bunnies. What I have done over the years is do my best to find the optimal fit/family for each adopted bunny. I also make each & every rabbit a promise to find them a home at least as good, if not better than what I believe I can provide. I look for homes with fewer bunnies than we may have in our rescue/foster homes. And what I require or love to hear most from potential adopters is that “they have simply fallen in love with the bunny” and the bunny’s back story that they are applying to adopt.
I firmly believe that all bunny rescuers start out from a pure place. If they lose themselves along the way, their original mission gives way to eventual hoarding, a lack of care or the ability to financially care for a large number of bunnies, it’s probably not because they are evil. Bunny rescue is not for the faint of heart and it is hard work. Rescuers may become overwhelmed by taking in more bunnies than they can physically house, fundraise for, medically care for or all of the above.
My advice is to start small and stay as small as you can. If you rely on a home foster based system, understand that fosters will come and go, you will have attrition. Dont take in more bunnies than you and maybe one or two dedicated fosters can provide for. Know and understand your donor base. Factor out your own expenses, what you can personally provide if all outside resources dry up.
Finally, please honor your commitments to the bunnies that you intake and rescue. See them through to the end and give them willingly to the best home you can find within your power. It may be painful to let go, but once you see them thriving in their Forever Home, that is your reward.