Meet Jody Springborn of BunnyLuv Rabbit Resource Center in Van Nuys

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jody Springborn.

Jody, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
BunnyLuv Rabbit Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) no-kill rabbit shelter. Since 1996 BunnyLuv has focused in educating new and current pet owners on how to create a meaningful relationship with their pet bunny. We do this by providing information free of charge and providing a safe haven for neglected domestic rabbits. We also provide boarding, grooming and bonding services. We work with LA Animal Services, and have taken many rabbits from their system – injured, sick, unweaned babies, as well as healthy ones on their euthanasia list.

I, myself, joined BunnyLuv as a volunteer in 2010, and applied for health associate when a position opened in Spring 2011. At the time I was a bunny owner, but I began to learn much more about rabbit health, behavior and personality in short order. I also became more involved in the operation of BunnyLuv. As a small non-profit, the organization depends very much on donations and word of mouth. I volunteered to put out the email newsletters and put together a few successful fundraisers. Through the years I have established contacts with other rescues vets, and some local businesses, growing BunnyLuv’s profile.

There is still so much to accomplish at BunnyLuv. The need to help homeless rabbits is great, and BunnyLuv has a big mission ahead.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Running an animal rescue is not exactly a money-making venture. No one goes into it thinking that one day they will get rich and retire early. Since we are dealing with live animals, there are expenses that cannot go away – food, shelter, medical treatment.

Much of our income depends on donations. It is often difficult to get enough money in to pay for extra expenses such as emergency vet visits/surgeries, or broken air conditioner units. The cost of operating a rescue (and with a facility at that), is extremely expensive, especially here in Southern California.

The other difficult issue is getting the word out about the importance of proper care for domestic rabbits. Most people are focused on dogs and cats, even most rescues do not deal with rabbits, even though they are the third most popular pet in the United States.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
BunnyLuv Rabbit Resource Center is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), no-kill animal welfare organization. We offer education, adoption, care and supplies for domestic rabbits and the humans who love them. Since our establishment in 1996, BunnyLuv Rabbit Resource Center has helped thousands of rabbits and humans live together. ​
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We are here to help people create and maintain a meaningful relationship with their domestic companion rabbits and to help keep their rabbits happy and healthy for a long life and mutual enjoyment. We do this by providing information free of charge, helping to reduce rabbit overpopulation and abandonment in Southern California, and providing a safe haven for neglected rabbits as they await adoption.

In November 2015, we became a chapter of the House Rabbit Society, an international organization devoted to domestic rabbit advocacy based in Richmond, CA

We are one of the few rabbit rescues who have their own facility. We are a small team of staff and volunteers who care deeply about our charges. Some of our rabbits stay with BunnyLuv their whole lives, and we are determined to make it a good experience for them. We take care of a number of disabled, senior and chronically ill rabbits, and do whatever we can to give them good quality of life. These rabbits become an important part of our lives, and we are extremely strict with our adoption policy. We do not have large adoption numbers in comparison to other rescues, but we are focused that our bunnies succeed in a new home. We do home checks and supervise the bunny introductions. We offer classes and make ourselves available to all new owners, and providing guidance when asked.

What were you like growing up?
I always liked animals.

Contact Info:

• Address: 16742 Stagg Street, Suite 104
  Van Nuys, CA 91406
• Website: bunnyluv.org
• Phone: 818-988-4488
• Email: bunnyluv@bunnyluv.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bunnyluv_vannuys/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BunnyLuvRRC/

Image Credit:
Volunteer, Dustin Yoder

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