10/17/2026
I had one empty space in the bunny building for about 12 hours. The amount of phone calls, emails and heart breaking messages are so overwhelming that I “closed intakes” just like everyone else but people can’t hear “sorry I’m full” from one more person or they start threatening what they will do if I don’t help.
I wanted to try not to write another paragraph post but what we are dealing with here across the country is total panic. Every rescue, every pound, every Good Samaritan is overflowing and doesn’t know where to put “just one more”.
The bunny crisis is here and has been, you just don’t hear about it as often. I don’t like being on the news every day and I dont call them everytime I do something but maybe I need to start because my voice isn’t loud enough and clearly I’m being pushed into the background.
What I do at Rebel Rescue Ranch 📣 501(c)3 located in Berlin Center Ohio, is just as important and a service that is needed. I take in all exotic, domestic and farm pets that are no longer wanted… I also help humane agencies. This year alone, I have taken in 68 animals from six different humane agencies that don’t have the available/correct enclosures/space for exotics and farm critters. Some driving over 3 hours for my help.
I am one person with one volunteer each day for about an hour or two. I do not have a team, staff, paid employees, a secretary answering my calls, a social media person making content videos for me and I definitely don’t have a person running around town dropping off animals to their vet appointments in a company car. It’s all just me. Doing everything. I need a moment to catch my breath and celebrate an adoption before the space gets filled but “welp too bad you’re a rescue and you chose this so oh well”….. that’s not fair.
It’s only a matter of time before I see everyone sharing that post about needing “thick skin” and “pushing through each day of people tearing you down” no. No no no. I DO have thick skin and I’m able to do this because I can handle what many can’t-but that doesn’t mean that I’m not still human and need time to heal and breathe. Maybe everyone shouldn’t be so hateful and learn that rescues are not dumping grounds because you can’t handle p**p.
Just because I “chose rescue” doesn’t mean I’m the public’s punching bag or person to manipulate into feeling bad for their poor choices. “You need to help me or I’m going to throw it out” I know you’re full but I can’t bring this when I move so you have to take it because no one else will” the reasons go on and on-as if they are trying to talk me into magically finding an empty space in my bathroom to store another animal to rid them on their problem but wait… “no I don’t want to make a donation”…… 😑 I try to express this just like everyone else but some how I’m mean. I have no empathy.
If I just say yes to every single animal every time someone asks, I am not a rescue. If I stack animals on top of eachother in cages, just so everyone’s happy, I am not better than the hoarding situation on the news. I am trying to do better. You’d think people would try to just keep their pets and also do better.
I promise you, I am trying.
