Stewart

We received a call from a lady from Surrey who was worried about a rabbit that was in her yard, which appeared to have a broken leg.

One of our volunteers headed straight over and picked up this big bunny for a visit to the vet. It turned out that he didn’t have a broken leg, but what appeared to be the symptoms of head tilt. He was able to hop around, but became very wobbly when he stopped or tried washing his face, at which time he would usually fall over on his side.

Stuart’s ear is a graphic example of what can happen to a domestic rabbit abandoned and left to fend for himself, perhaps caused by the other unaltered rabbits or predators in the area. Because he is so wobbly we know that he would have met a horrible fate if not for the caring family who called us.

Stuart’s history is this: His previous “family”, who had him, as well as several other rabbits, decided to leave the rabbits behind when they moved out of the home they were living in. Word has it that they grew tired of the rabbits and no longer wanted them. The other rabbits have been spotted in the area over the past month, as well as a coyote. Last year a bear was also seen in the immediate area.

It turns out that when the family moved in approximately a month ago, they had seen this big bunny, who is a Flemish Giant, in the back yard. He generally kept to himself and was a bit aloof, though he did seem friendly. He was able to move around fine, and did not seem ill.

One day the family returned home to find him sitting, hunched near their front door. He appeared to be injured and in need of help. It is heartwarming that Stuart waited where they would see him and be able to help him. We guess he hadn’t given up on humans after all (many of them care, you see!)

When he first came to us, he was a bit nervous, but he quickly learned that he is in a safe place and he has now become very relaxed, stretching out, without a care on the floor. He loves being pet and to have his back scratched and will fall into a trance when he is being groomed.

Below are the pictures of the property where Stuart and his family were abandoned at. The stepping-stone pathway leads to a “hutch” (actually an old cupboard covered with chain link and totally exposed to the elements).