Today we’d like to introduce you to Jude Ferguson
Jude, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am often asked how I started rescuing domestic rabbits. I rescued my first loose rabbit in my hometown of LaMirada in 2005. There were always stray cats around that I rescued and kept, adopted out, or transferred to a cat rescue group. However, when I noticed rabbits being dumped at the park and rescued them, I was not able to get them into a rabbit rescue as there are so few rabbit rescues in SoCal compared to cat rescues.
The rabbit dumping/rescuing really intensified in 2012 and I was caring for 30 rabbits at that time. In 2016 I moved to Lake Elsinore and continued rescuing rabbits full-time. I have rescued about 1500 rabbits over 20 years. All rabbits are given intake medicine protocols, spayed/neutered and examined by an exotic veterinarian, vaccinated against the deadly RHDV2, and microchipped prior to being available for adoption to indoor homes.
How do I know about all these dumped rabbits? I am notified by: Good Samaritans, referrals by other rescues, internet searches, prior adopters, social media, etc. How do I wrangle these rabbits? We surround the rabbits with exercise pens and close in on them or we use a feral cat drop trap, a regular humane trap, a net, or hand grab them.
There are always a plethora of rabbits available here at the rescue seeking their forever homes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Easter is always a challenge. Rabbits purchased from a breeder or pet store are usually not alive one year later. Rabbits are not good pets for children. Most children lose interest in rabbits very quickly and the parents then look to rehome the rabbits. They are not starter pets. They do not belong in classrooms. Rabbits are a lot of work. Most rabbits don’t like to be picked up.
Rabbits need a lot of room to run, hop and do binkies! A cage is not appropriate. Indoor, free roam, rabbit-proofed housing is ideal. Alternatively, an exercise pen (puppy pen) can be used or two pens joined together for additional room.
Rabbits need exotic veterinarian care, not a dog or cat veterinarian. Rabbits are prey animals and hide their illnesses. Rabbit care can be more expensive than dog or cat care.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My rescue, Kribs for Kritters Rabbit Rescue & Sanctuary, rescues abandoned domestic rabbits all across Southern California from parks, school grounds, golf courses, fitness trails, dumpsters (yes!), residential neighborhoods and other outdoor locations.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Running an animal rescue is an all-encompassing endeavor. Start small by volunteering for a rescue or shelter to help you decide if it’s something you really want to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kribsforkritters.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kribs_for_kritters/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kribsforkrittersofficial/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/w6fe8losoNk
