Our story began with ..
Penny & Wildflower
Penny & Wild is named after two special rabbits who inspired the creation of this rescue. Their stories are the foundation of everything we do, and the name serves as a daily reminder of our mission and purpose. You can read more about Penny and Wild below.
Penelope (a.k.a. Penny) was originally fostered by one of our founders through another rescue organization. At the time, no one wanted to go near her because she had been labeled “aggressive.” In reality, all of Penny’s reactions were rooted in fear. After a few months of patience and consistent work, she began to open up and show her true, gentle personality.
Penny was one of many rabbits who are unfairly labeled as aggressive for behaviors that often stem from fear or trauma. Sadly, these labels can put rabbits at risk of being euthanized when they simply need time and understanding. Like many others, Penny became much friendlier once she felt safe.
We reserve a set number of spaces each year for rabbits who have been labeled “aggressive” so that we can help them heal, work through their behavior, and eventually find loving homes. Penny was an incredible rabbit, and her legacy lives on in every misunderstood rabbit we are able to save and support.
Wildflower (a.k.a. Wild) was rescued by one of our founders six years before this rescue officially began. She came from a backyard breeding operation, which is why she had a tattoo in her ear. Wild, along with a few other rabbits, had been deemed “not good enough” for breeding and was about to be discarded. The conditions they were living in were appalling. They were kept in bare wire cages outside, eating pine cones, and surrounded by loose chickens.
Wild earned her nickname because of her unpredictable and defensive behavior. Everyone called her “wild and crazy,” but like Penny, her aggression came from fear, not malice. Within six months of being rescued, she had transformed into a sweet, affectionate, and cuddly bunny.
From the day she was rescued until the day she passed years later, Wild faced a series of medical challenges. She underwent more than four surgeries, several procedures, and many other treatments. Her resilience and spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who met her.
Wild is one of the reasons this rescue focuses so heavily on medical cases and why we have such a soft spot for discarded breeder rabbits. She was truly special and continues to inspire the work we do.
There is an overwhelming need for rabbit rescue in South Florida. Every year, countless rabbits are purchased from pet stores and later abandoned. Hundreds are dumped in parks, neighborhoods, or even in the middle of the street. We see massive hoarding cases, Easter bunnies released outside, and many other heartbreaking situations that most people would find hard to believe. Guinea pigs face similar challenges, with hundreds needing to be rehomed annually for a wide range of reasons.
We work tirelessly to save as many animals as we can. As a 100% foster-based rescue, the number of lives we save depends entirely on the number of foster homes available. Every person who opens their heart and home to even one animal plays a vital role in that animal’s journey to a safe, loving forever home. At any given time, Penny and Wild cares for around 150 animals. We are deeply grateful to every foster, donor, volunteer, and transporter who helps us continue this work and keep these animals safe.