Update: MacArthur has been adopted! Here she is with her new companion:
Oakland Animal Services sometimes rescue rabbits that have been living on the streets of Oakland. (Yes, rabbits!) These creatures, often abandoned by their human caretaker or otherwise lost, somehow find a way to survive in the face of many dangers, including cars, predators, lack of food, and an overwhelming amount of stress.
This bunny, who we named MacArthur, had reportedly been living on MacArthur Boulevard and 14th Street for nearly a year. She was finally trapped by a caring neighbor who usually traps and fixes feral cats. MacArthur had apparently even been seen hopping several times across MacArthur Boulevard — and lived to tell the tale. She had discovered a vegetable garden where she got food and found refuge under cars at a local mechanic’s shop. She had even been seen playing with a puppy, the two of them taking turns chasing each other. When MacArthur was finally trapped, she was covered in grease and oil from living under cars. It’s remarkable that she hadn’t been poisoned from these chemicals.
When she arrived at the shelter, we immediately gave her a bath. She wasn’t happy with this at all. But then she got to sun herself in our courtyard and was brushed and dried by a bunny volunteer, and is now reacquainting herself with life indoors with regular food and care. This special bunny is available for adoption at OAS. Not surprisingly, MacArthur is fearless and has a strong personality, but she is also quite a sweetheart. Come visit and see for yourself!
MacArthur’s story is unusual. Sadly, the vast majority of rabbits on the streets don’t survive. It is important to keep your bunny safe inside. Rabbits can be litter trained and are very clean, making for great indoor family companions.
