Hopper, Chewy and Spotty's Story

Three rabbits took the journey of a lifetime and flew south for the winter, landing with Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy.

The three young bunnies arrived in Vancouver from Dawson City, Yukon after a shortage of shelter space in the tiny northern town forced their relocation. One male and two females– Spotty, Hopper and Chewy– touched down at Vancouver International Airport on November 2, and went straight into the care of the VRRA. The bunnies, just over two months old are siblings, and their story although unique in geography is a familiar refrain to everyone at VRRA.

It started in the summer when a traveller from Alaska arrived in Dawson City, with what he thought was a male rabbit. Just a week later, this ‘male rabbit’ gave birth to a litter of five little bunnies. Isaac Fage, the Shelter Coordinator of the Humane Society Dawson, took in the baby rabbits once they were weaned and staff there found good homes for two of the bunnies. This was no small feat for a community Dawson City’s size. With such a small population base– Dawson City only has about 2,000 residents– and a lack of shelter space and funds, Fage soon realized that three of the five bunnies were not going to find homes locally. He had read about VRRA in the Vancouver Courier and figured it was a positive solution to the three remaining bunnies’ uncertain future. He promptly got in touch with the VRRA’s Olga Betts.

With some quick thinking, Fage also contacted Air North, who kindly agreed to provide transportation for the rabbits to Vancouver if VRRA would be willing to look after them. Betts agreed to take on the little rabbits, and promptly arranged a temporary home for the bunnies in Vancouver. Meanwhile, 1,000 miles away in Dawson City, Fage booked the flight and the three siblings were just days away from the longest journey of their lives.

On November 2, the three little bunnies arrived, amidst the passengers, cargo and freight on Air North Flight 505. Awaiting them was Betts and several other VRRA members.

Spotty, Hopper and Chewy are now the poster rabbits and mascots of VRRA. Dozens of other rabbits with VRRA members and at SPCA shelters await permanent loving homes. Shelter space from small communities like Dawson City to huge cities like Vancouver is in short supply. Without rabbit friendly homes and funding for shelter space, food and supplies, many rabbits face an uncertain future. For the time being, many rabbits of all types and sizes are crammed into tiny cages in small rooms in shelters. Although always a last resort, putting bunnies to sleep has become a sad reality when good homes aren’t offered.

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