I'm writing this post while sat in the shelter, a bunny happily binkying in a run beside me. For those who don't know, rabbits binky - jump up in the air - when they are at their most happy and playful. They are literally jumping for joy.
We're coming up on the five year anniversary of the founding of Paws Here, and that's five years during which we've all worked so hard to give these forgotten, voiceless animals happiness and joy again. A new start, a new home, a saved life. All of us, our volunteers, supporters, foster carers, adopters, visitors - every single one of you has helped to do an incredible thing in the lives of these abandoned pets. It might not seem like much, but I know with everything in me that if we could ask them - the frightened, abused, lonely animals whose lives we turn around even if only for a few measly hours of happiness, even if it's only someone to hold them just once with love and gentleness so that they're not afraid at the end - I know that they would be able to express better than I can how important the work we do for them is, how much it's helped and changed and saved them.
I know they would want to thank you. Every one of you.
Unfortunately now I'm coming to you once again with a plea for help, for a very dear little rabbit called Snowy.
Let me tell you her story.
Snowy came to us last year with her friend Nancy for a holiday. They were never collected, and all attempts to contact their owners were rebuffed. It seems hard to believe, but this happens more often than you would think. After waiting month after long month, the decision was taken to rehome them.
Unfortunately, poor Snowy was being quite badly bullied at this point by Nancy, and it reached the point where we had to separate them. Nancy was easily paired up with another bunny and rehomed, however Snowy has been left affected by her negative experience. Frightened of other animals and people, withdrawing into herself, she's been left alone.
We're working hard to help Snowy overcome her fears, and two of our volunteers clubbed together to pay for her spaying a few months ago so that she has a better chance than ever of finding a companion and a forever home. Despite everything she's been through, we have high hopes for this little rabbit. One day she'll be binkying like the other rabbits, joyful at last.
However, in order for that to happen, Snowy needs potentially life saving surgery.
Just yesterday, volunteer Clare noticed that Snowy's eyes were watering. We rushed her in to the vet where she was diagnosed with tooth spurs - a painful, irritating and potentially life threatening problem that can only be fixed with surgery. Snowy will need a special diet and a special home to make sure the spurs don't reoccur, and to have them monitored and treated if they do.
I'm going to say this right now: I believe we can save her life. And I believe her life is worth saving.
Snowy has been booked in for surgery next Wednesday, and so the first thing we need to do is raise £108 to pay for this procedure. If anyone can donate anything at all, please do. No matter how small you think your contribution is, it makes a big big difference to Snowy. You can donate here.
The second thing we need to do feels, unbelievably, even more impossible. We need to find Snowy a forever home where she can get the quiet, no-pressure, stress free attention, love and care that she deserves. We need to find her a family that is prepared to take on a special needs rabbit with potential teeth problems. A "damaged" rabbit, physically and psychologically affected by the things which have happened to her. We need a family for Snowy that is prepared to work hard to find her an ideal bunny companion, because Snowy doesn't always get on with other rabbits.
It seems so hopeless, when we have healthy, friendly, bouncy bunnies who have been waiting for homes for weeks and weeks, months, years even in some cases. How will Snowy ever find her family?
There's a family out there for her. That's another thing I know. Somewhere out there is someone with a heart big enough to take on this special girl. We just need to get her to them.
How can you help?
By spreading the word! Please please repost this, blog this, tell your friends on facebook and twitter and livejournal, tell the whole world. If we tell enough people, I know for sure that one of them will step forward to adopt our precious Snowy.
That's all. That's all I'm asking. Talk about her, be a voice for the voiceless.
I know you can do it.
