Judi and Bryce Inglis of Rabbit Run-away Orphanage have been advocates for pet rabbit welfare since 2003 when two young giant stray rabbits arrived through a hole in their back fence. They became acutely aware of the all too commonplace neglect, cruelty and dumping of these intelligent, sensitive creatures. Currently, Judi and Bryce work tirelessly to have pet rabbits included under animal law and to educate the public on the needs and nature of this unique and exotic pet.
In September 2013, Rabbit Run-away Orphanage was invited to become the first official Australian chapter of the esteemed House Rabbit Society (HRS). The House Rabbit Society has been established for 25 years and is the oldest and most respected animal welfare organisation for rabbits in the world.
Rabbit Run-away Orphanage is...
- Victoria's First Dedicated No Kill Pet Rabbit Rescue and
- The First and Only Official Chapter of the House Rabbit Society in Australia
We provide:
1) care for sick, unwanted, stray, or mistreated rabbits
2) facilitate short-term care, medical treatment
3) implement rehabilitation and long-term re-homing
4) educate the public on rabbit ownership and care
5) prevent unnecessary euthanasia of rabbits
7) provide education and awareness to potential and existing rabbit owners
Perhaps our most significant difference to other rabbit welfare organizations is our VIB special needs support program. We pay for the vet care of rabbits identified to have health issues, for the life of the rabbit (in 2023 the Orphanage supports 260 special needs rabbits in this program). We constantly review the care needs of the rabbits we place into foster and permanent care homes (and the needs of these foster carers and rabbit owners) and provide ongoing support to maximise the wellbeing of these rabbits throughout their lives. Further, if the health of a rabbit adopted from the Orphanage changes at any time, we offer support for its vet care. By providing this ongoing support, we reduce the likelihood of re-traumatising the rabbit through surrendering/dumping/neglect due to financial limitations.
We do this by providing:
- Ongoing Support by providing equipment, training and on-going support to foster carers, new rabbit owners and those trialing rabbit ownership, and those introducing a second rabbit into their family.
- Our special needs (VIB) foster program places rabbits with ongoing health needs into permanent foster homes that can provide the love and care needed, while the Orphanage meets all vet care costs and provides equipment, supplies and ongoing support.
- Rehabilitation program We place rabbits that are difficult to re-home (often due to previous cruelty and neglect) into short-term foster homes so that they can be socialised, rehabilitated, and have one-on-one care.
- Assist councils, pounds and shelters We respond to calls from Council pounds, shelters, vet clinics and the public to provide information and advise and to transfer lost, dumped and injured rabbits to our Orphanage to receive care and prevent unnecessary euthanasia.
- Education We regularly participate in pet expos, adoption information days and many other events to educate the public on pet rabbit care and welfare, and to promote responsible and kind ownership.
- Referral By default, we have become a nationwide referral/advice service. We received calls from all over Australia regarding care/bonding/problem behaviors, locating vets with rabbit expertise, and locating local services to help with lost/found/surrendered rabbits.
