story

Bugz – A bunny with a lot of “mite”

Bugz was found running loose on a Delray Golf Course. Golfers reported him romping on the green for over 4 months.  When Bugz was finally caught, he was covered in mites from his ears to his toes to his tail.  We took him to the vet and he was infested with 4 different types of mites.  He was covered in them so badly that he had to be quarantined at Lantana/Atlantis Animal Hospital for a week.  These pictures were taken a few days after treatment.  You can imagine how bad it was.  All the mites responded well to the Revolution treatment and he is now in his tender loving foster home.    We are so glad to have been able to rescue him because this sweet poor boy was certainly suffering.

Simba’s Pride – Two Weeks Old

Simba’s Pride is growing up so quickly.  They have opened their eyes and are on the go.  They don’t quite know where they are going but they are learning that mobility is fun.  They can now seek out mom and tackle her for some milk!   They have not yet discovered how to hop but instead “walk” around on their tippy toes.  It is so cute.  Their true colors are showing…we have 1 black, 1 agouti, 1 blue, 1 grey and the unmistakable white with black spots.  Pictured are Sarabi and Rafiki.

Simba’s Pride – One Week Old

Where there is death…there is life.  The day Simba died was shared with a day of  life,  5 little lives.  On the evening of Simba’s death, 5 babies were born to a pregnant mother we rescued from Animal Care and Control.  In honor and rememberance of Simba and to the babies that entered the world while Simba crossed over the rainbow bridge…meet Simba’s Pride – Nala, Sarabi, Zazu, Rafiki, and Mufasa.  Five healthy babies with 2 being black, 2 grey, and 1 white with black spots.

Broken Simba

Confused, frightened and broken, Simba the three month old mini lion head sits at the vet office unknowingly awaiting surgery.  Simba doesn’t know what lies ahead but he knows all too well what he left behind.  He knows he didn’t ask to be born into a petting zoo as a token of entertainment.  He knows he didn’t ask to be sold at a spring family festival for profit.  He knows he didn’t ask to be given up by his family after only a month of being loved.  Simba certainly knows for sure that he didn’t ask to have his leg broken.  This is Simba’s story…Family Festivals are crowded with parents and their children.  What better place to sell merchandise and products…and animals.  These petting zoos, pet stores, breeders, whatever you want to call them, attend family festivals and activities so they can quickly sell their cute baby animals to parents who want to please their children. These animals are sold for profit without regard or much thought to their well being – they are being sold on impulse, on heart strings but not on common sense.  Simba was purchased on a whim at one such Palm Beach County festival.  The family loved him but quickly realized they didn’t have the ability to care for a rabbit. They weren’t sure how to get “rid” of their bunny so they contacted, My Whole Pet Store in Royal Palm Beach non-reputable pet store.  Of course, they gladly took the bunny to resell it.  Simba was dumped in a large pen with many other bunnies who do not look kindly on ”trespassers”. While Simba was dealing with many territorial bunnies who were protecting their staked out real-estate, Simba’s family had a change of heart and returned to bring him back home.  They were glad to have him back in their arms and were quite surprised to see his back leg was mysteriously deformed.  Upon examination from a vet, it was confirmed that his leg was broken.  This broken leg led to a broken heart as the young family knew they could not afford the expensive surgery.  They contacted us for help and we could not turn our back on this little guy – after all –he didn’t ask for any of this to happen.  Simba is currently at the Lantana Atlantis Animal Hospital awaiting surgery for his broken rear leg.  His bones are so fragile and frail Dr. Love is not sure if the pins and plates will work.  If the bone splinters the only solution to his healing is amputation.  What happened in the 10 minutes that he was left in the pet store will forever remain a mystery.  Was he dropped? Was he attacked? Did his leg get caught in the pen?  We will never know because the pet store will never tell us; they were neglectful and handed over a broken bunny. Looking at the past at the events that Simba never asked for is no longer…instead we look into the future and towards the one thing Simba is asking for…a forever home. Simba is a trooper, a trooper with high hopes for a bright future.  

 Please consider making a donation on our website for Simba’s surgery.  And please give him a hug !