Since its founding in 1999, Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue has primarily caught to its identify, offering shelter and veterinary providers for cats.
That all modified proper earlier than Christmas, when the New Kensington rescue took in 27 rabbits.
Another 70-plus rabbits are on the best way, the rescue introduced Monday through Facebook, leaving employees scrambling to assemble provides and organize for adoption, foster or switch to different organizations.
Becky Morrow, president and medical director of Frankie’s Friends, mentioned she felt an obligation to step in and take the stress off different shelters. These rabbits got here or will come from “very bad situations,” Morrow mentioned, and “other rescue groups are just filled with rabbits already.”
The rescue spays or neuters every rabbit that comes into its care, conscious of the animal’s prolific breeding tendencies. But Frankie’s Friends isn’t simply coping with instances of unintended litters or undesirable household pets.
Trained as a forensic veterinarian, Morrow usually is known as to crime scenes to advise on amassing proof of animal cruelty. That’s how she encountered the primary group of rabbits.
Rabbits require a relentless provide of hay, particular paper litter, meals pellets and hands-on care, in response to Morrow. That’s a number of work for eight employees members — excluding the 2 who’re allergic to rabbits. It’s not low cost both, and this upcoming inflow of rescues received’t make it any cheaper.
“It was about $1,000 a week … and this is going to double that,” Morrow mentioned. “We can’t take on that by ourselves.”
Frankie’s Friends is asking for knowledgeable volunteers in addition to for donations via PayPal or Venmo to cowl these momentary prices.
The thought, in response to Morrow, is to finally revert again to cats solely.
Each yr, the rescue takes in about 500 sick or injured cats, rehabilitating them and discovering them good properties.
“We have our hands full with the cat rescue,” Morrow mentioned.
To that finish, Frankie’s Friends has been reaching out to foster households. Underground Squeaks, a small animal rescue service based mostly in Western Pennsylvania, picked up six rabbits on Tuesday, and Morrow mentioned one other group has agreed to switch 20 extra into their care.
Morrow, who has owned rabbits all through her life, additionally would possibly take one home for herself.
“They are the cutest animals,” Morrow mentioned. “They have it all.”
Jack Troy is a TribDwell reporter. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in January 2024. He will be reached at [email protected].
