Red Barn Rabbit Rescue - Creswell, OR

Fighting the Good Fight

AWARENESS

Bringing a problem to the public’s attention is a process. RBRR starts with letters or e-mails to the person(s) they believe is responsible for making the decisions within the organization in question. More often than not this communication falls of deaf ears. Usually we receive no response at all. Occasionally we will receive a response thanking us for our interest but stating that they are not in agreement with our assessment.

At this point it is clear we will need a much wider opinion base. Thus we will gather as much data as needed in order to give the public enough information to make their own judgment of the situation. It can be pictures, video, or other media. We will then disburse this information via the internet, mail, etc.

As reactions and comments come in we sort through them and read each one to determine what the overall feeling is and how we can best continue our approach. This kind of system creates all kinds of opinions, feelings, and comments. Not all are good or productive but they still play a role in getting the attention of the organization in question. This method gives them a chance to take one more look at what they are doing and rationally question whether we may have a point worth looking into.

Many times the organization and its followers will become defensive, angry and uncooperative. This is an understandable reaction but not conducive to resolution. RBRR then continues a professional and non-threatening approach to solving the problem. If communication with the person(s) in charge fails then RBRR will create more pressure and awareness using newspapers, television and other media outlets as well as legal avenues when possible.

Our concern is not for the people that patron these events. We do not care that they did not ask for our help or that is a tradition for their community. There is plain and simply a right and wrong way to treat rabbits. When our experience and research tells us that cruelty, negligence, and/or irresponsibility is present; Our pursuit to end it will be relentless.

STOPPING THE ANIMAL /RABBIT SCRAMBLES

RBRR with the guidance of Scott Beckstead (HSUS) proposed an ordinance on June 4, 2013 that asked that small animals not be allowed to be given as prizes. It was received well by a majority of the commissioners. Advice was given and promises were made to get the process started. It was decided that even if an emergency order was given it could not pass in time to stop the Cottage Grove Rodeo from holding their annual Animal Scramble.

We will continue to make sure it moves forward and gets passed before any more of these inhumane and grossly irresponsible events can take place. The next step is to meet with the Lane County Animal Services advisory committee in July.

RBRR will not have a physical presence at the Rodeo this year. We still have hope that the Riding Club will not get their USDA license in time and have to forfeit the event. Please remember that once the event has taken place we need those rabbits to get off the grounds ASAP because they will have already endured a lot of stress. We can only hope they are not injured or sick and that the homes they are going to will take good care of them. Any kind of physical presence should be respectful, constructive, and professional. Impeding the event and/or harassing the patrons will only prolong the rabbits stress. Help us fight with letters of support, phone calls, and donations.

Meet Graham

Donate to the RBRR Medical Fund

Become a Monthly Sponsor