Our Story
SBRR could not be where it is today if it wasn’t for the first rabbit. The rescue was formed out of love, heartache, and the belief that all rabbits deserve to be cared for as companion animals. Below is our origin story.
The prequel
In November of 2019, Pip (pictured left) was adopted and brought to her forever home with our founder, Enara Iturregui. Pip was Enara’s first rabbit and, with little knowledge on how to care for a rabbit, she began researching and learning all there is to know. Shortly after adopting Pip, Enara adopted her second rabbit, Alby. For 3 years, Enara loved and cared for Pip and Alby, with Pip going through bouts of stasis and Alby having chronic snuffles. Enara became very experienced in caring for her rabbits when they were ill. In September of 2022, Pip began to show signs that something was not right and it was later determined that Pip had megacolon. Enara fought for Pip’s life, but despite her best efforts, Pip crossed the rainbow bridge in November 2022. In her grief, Enara began volunteering at the Mississauga Animal Shelter to educate employees and spend time with the rabbits in their care.
The Move
Volunteering in Pip’s honour brought new purpose and Enara began to heal from the loss of her first beloved bunny. However, in the winter of 2023, Enara moved back to her hometown, Sudbury. She looked for opportunities to volunteer with rescue rabbits again, but none were found. In an attempt to be involved, Enara joined lost pet groups to help reunite pets with their families. In the spring, she noticed an unbelievable increase in domestic rabbit sightings. Enara commented on one of the posts how to go about catching the young rabbit and the poster, desperate for help, reached out asking if she could catch them. So, she packed up a net, pellets, and a carrier, and set off to help. After a few hours, Gizmo (pictured right) was caught.
The First Rescue
Enara called Sudbury Animal Control thinking they would take Gizmo in considering the shelters in Southern Ontario take in rabbits. However, she learned that Sudbury is selective in the animals taken in by animal control. She then called every rescue in the city, but no where would take in little Gizmo. Enara soon realized that she would need to privately fundraise and cover his vet bills, then find him a home herself.
The Need
At the same time as caring for Gizmo, Enara noticed just how many domestic rabbits were being spotted abandoned outdoors and her heart broke for those who would not be saved. With no shelter or rescues in Sudbury taking in rabbits, they would be left to fend for themselves, terrified, and without the skills necessary to survive. Recognizing a need in the community, the Sudbury Bunny Snatchers Facebook group was formed to bring like-minded bunny lovers together to address the issue. As media-attention surged and the group grew larger, the Sudbury Bunny Rescue Room started to form.
The beginning
Along the way, Enara met a passionate and motivated young woman named Mindy who had a rescue rabbit of her own. Enara and Mindy worked to increase education and began attending the Sudbury Farmers Market as well as partnering with REN’s Pets to host events and raise awareness. Then, Gizmo’s adopters offered to volunteer and soon, more bunny lovers joined in the effort to get SBRR off the ground. SBRR could not be where it is today if it was not for everyone who had gotten involved, fueled by their passion for rabbits and desire for change in our community.