Since the North Olympic Rabbit Rescue took shape two years ago all because of one abandoned rabbit, lifelong animal lover and director of NORR Brandon Montoya has grown the organization into a federally registered charity.
“We had been an off-the-books volunteer group rooted in the idea of helping other rescues help rabbits and catch a small portion of the overflow and special care work for rabbits and a few other animals.”
However, as NORR grew and the need for assisting rabbits find forever homes continued to persist throughout the Olympic Peninsula, Montoya decided it was time to become an official charity. Becoming a recognized charity would both help ensure detailed record keeping and give the organization “a little legal standing,” Montoya said.
Although NORR is still a relatively small organization with a varying five volunteers, it has aided in the welfare of 35 animals directly, along with indirectly impacting countless others by providing advice, volunteering and collaborating with additional animal rescues.
Looking ahead, if NORR continues to grow and perhaps establishes its own campus, Montoya said, the organization could likely expand its rescue reach to include other small species like guinea pigs. Without the use of a campus or space devoted solely for NORR, the rescue relies on volunteers and foster homes to function.
Despite Montoya’s original focus on rabbits, if NORR has the manpower and means to help additional species, it will. Already NORR volunteers have helped dogs, cats, a duck and a deer.
“Our primary goal is rescuing rabbits because it is helping out where no one else has stepped in to help and we’re also helping people take the time to experience something they otherwise might not stop and experience,” Montoya said.
Montoya and his fellow volunteers fill a niche within the animal rescue community from Forks to the Hood Canal given their narrow focus on rabbit rescue. Additional rescues like the Olympic Humane Society have limited room for rabbits and tend to put more attention toward cat and dog rescue, Montoya said.
To keep NORR an active community service, the organizations receives anywhere from $1,000-$2,000 in annual donations, but the remainder and majority of the costs to maintain the rescue is supported by Montoya. Other sources of founding include adoption fees and the proceeds from handcrafted block print tote bags and shirts.
To supplement any money contributions, supplies often are donated to NORR. This year Montoya noted two families that are donating vegetables on a regular basis.
“Rabbits eat a lot of vegetables,” Montoya said, and although being educated on proper nutrition for any species of pet is important, rabbit owners “really have to learn about dietary needs” because rabbits have sensitive digestive systems and are “physically more delicate then a dog or cat.”
To assure the health of every rabbit rescued, NORR officials get each rabbit examined by a veterinarian at either Greywolf Veterinary Hospital or Sequim Animal Hospital. Each rabbit also is spayed or neutered upon rescue.
In NORR’s beginning, Montoya was told by several people that the rescue “could never succeed or really make a difference because rabbits breed fast,” Montoya said. Though, after nearly two years and having positively impacted more than 30 animals’ lives, not including indirect or collaborative efforts with other rescues, Montoya feels that NORR is making a difference.
The no-kill group will be bringing four of its adoptable rabbits to Best Friend Nutrition, Monday, Nov. 24, to provide educational information about rabbit ownership and health, answer questions and potentially find homes for Avery O’Hare, Beethoven Bach, Cornelius The Clever and Lana Lane the Super Girl.
“Rabbits have huge personalities, similar to a dog or cat,” Montoya said. “They’re playful, very interactive and can learn their name and tricks.”
During the rabbit adoption, NORR will have tickets available for its “Hoppy Holiday Giveaway” planned for Monday, Dec. 22. The grand prize includes a hand-printed tote bag stuffed with a variety of supplies, such as CareFresh litter, Oxbow hay, Oxbow food, two kinds of Oxbow treats, a chew toy and the book “Rabbits For Dummies.”
Rabbit adoption
When: Noon-5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24.
Where: Best Friend Nutrition, 680 W. Washington Ave., Suite B102
More info: www.olympicrabbit.org or e-mail rabbits@healthyinsanity.com
