Friday Foster(s) - Wendy & Waldo

Finally, you get to meet Wendy & Waldo! These two laid-back house rabbits are what we in the rabbit rescue world like to call a “bonded pair”, which means that while they are spayed and neutered, they are housed together. Bonded pairs can become despondent when separated, so Indiana HRS will only adopt them to a home where they can stay together. Naturally, since most people are hesitant to take on more than one rabbit at a time it can be very hard to find a home for pairs.

Wendy was originally rescued from a neglect situation in Paragon, Indiana in 2004. She was being housed in a wire-bottomed cage beneath other rabbits (also in wire-bottomed cages) — the feces and urine were piled pretty high, and she and the other rabbits on the bottom were covered in urine stains. Other rabbits from that rescue had god-awful ear mites, upper respiratory infections, and toenails a mile long. It took a while for Wendy to come around to people in general, but today she’s a very sweet, outgoing, affectionate rabbit.

Waldo was actually born in foster care. We were called in April of 2004 to capture a white rabbit that had been spotted in a northside neighborhood. She presented us with a litter before we could schedule her for a spay — I can’t remember how many babies there were, but Waldo must look like his daddy, because Mary Alice — his mom — is pure white. Waldo was so named for the “W” that spreads across the top of his head as he sheds. Which is constantly. Fortunately his gray fur sort of blends with everything.

Wendy & Waldo were adopted into a pairing situation in late 2005, but were returned in 2006. The family that adopted them really didn’t set Wendy & Waldo up for success… they were allowing the children to be the primary caregivers, despite all our education to the contrary. Children simply cannot — and should not — be primary caregivers for animals. They aren’t intuitive enough to know when something subtle is wrong, and for prey animals especially this can be a death sentence. Prey animals hide their symptoms well so as not to appear weak, and by the time symptoms of illness are visible it can be too late. Anyway, they moved in here, with me, and they’ve been with me now for almost two years. These two are my “bedroom bunnies”, and they keep me company in my room. They love their playtime, although Waldo, who is more timid, prefers to be where he can see Wendy at all times. She’s his protector.

If you’re interested in information about adopting Wendy & Waldo, or any other Indiana HRS adoptables, please visit our website at www.indianahrs.org. You will also find information about upcoming events in the state.

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