In early May 2015, four domestic lionhead rabbits were abandoned near the campgrounds at Hecksher Park in East Islip. Two were soon rescued by a kind person who knew the dangers they faced from predators, parasites, heat and dehydration. Frustratingly, the other two evaded rescue efforts. Days of extreme weather turned to weeks, and park-goers and rescuers scrambled to both find foster space and to catch them.
Once the round-up was on, our team did an incredible job of bringing the last of the “Hecksher buns” to safety– and not a minute too soon. They were in horrifying condition. The one male and one female were covered from head to toe with so many ticks it took 18 hours to remove them. They endured all our treatments and grooming so well, without complaint. It was like they understood we were finally helping them! It was heartbreaking, and infuriating to think someone threw these sweet, literally defenseless creatures into the woods to suffer from all this.
Ruth and Pierce are true survivors. Ruth had a severe bite-wound infected abscess on her back and endured an intense surgery. She healed wonderfully. After their spay and neuter, Ruth and Pierce officially reunited and are so very much in love.
