Alabama EARS

Snookie's Photo Gallery

Friends of Snookie

Snookie's Adoptable Page

Snookie's Timeline:

Late 2010: Snookie arrives at Alabama EARS. She was a terrified bunny with serious health issues. In addition, further diagnosis revealed that Snookie's cataracts were so thick that she was blind.

January 2011: Snookie's foster mom has gained the trust of this little lop. Snookie has started to relax, is a great hay and veggie eater and welcomes petting attention from visitors and her foster mom. She knows her name and will follow a human voice to her food dish, and still boxes if startled. Snookie, doesn't spend much time exploring her apartment and instead prefers to spend most of her time sitting in her extra litter box.

March 2011: Snookie has become so trusting of her foster mom that she is now a curious and happy bunny. Still, we have a nagging feeling that she would be an even happier, more relaxed rabbit if she could see. Alabama EARS starts a fundraising campaign asking for small donations to help pay for surgery to remove Snookie's cataracts.

March 2011: The incredible outpouring of good wishes and donations for Snookie Fund makes it possible to do her surgery sooner that we had anticipated. Our appreciation cannot be fully expressed in only acknowledging each donor so we also created a Friends of Snookie webpage.

March 2011: Dr. Korsch performs Snookie's surgery. We are thrilled that the surgery went well. Dr. Korsch's post-op notes:

"

Snookie was admitted to our hospital for cataract surgery in both eyes.  Cataract removal by phacoemulsification went well.  Her cataracts were very advanced and as a result there was significant scarring inside the eyes.  There seems to be some vision that has been restored already, but it may take some time for Snookie to get around and have functional vision.  There will be increased redness and intermittent squinting for the first week.  The eyes should be clear and open most of the time." 

March 2011: Two days post surgery. We post Snookie's first post-op photo on our website, Facebook and Twitter. Her eyes are a beautiful brown without those pesky cataracts in the way! 

March 2011: Four days post surgery. The celebration at EARS continues...Snookie has started to play in her apartment. She is seen, for the first time, stretching completely out on her belly instead of sitting still in her litter box! 

 

Her foster mom adds "I believe Snookie feels so much better...she actually flopped for the first time on Wednesday."

March 2011: One week post surgery. Snookie has her follow-up visit with Dr. Korsch. Dr. Korsch notes:

"Snookie is doing great post cataract surgery for both eyes.  She has vision from both eyes, but is slightly far-sighted.  It may continue to take time for her to get used to her new vision.  However, we expect her to do well long term as she continues to heal."

April 2011: Snookie is doing so well that she is more than ready to meet and greet foster home visitors. She is now officially up for adoption yet. We hope that the right home will come along to give this wonderful lop the luxury of being a number one bunny. 

Snookie's Story: Part 1

In late 2010, Snookie arrived at Alabama EARS a terrified bunny with some serious health issues. Prior to her rescue, she was kept in a windowless garage for three years without any light (and we're pretty sure affection was scarce if any was offered). Unfortunately, she had not been spayed and as a result had uterine cancer. 

After arriving a EARS, Snookie was spayed and a large, malignant tumor was removed. Additional tests revealed that Snookie is blind which made gaining her trust even more of a challenge.

As with most bunnies who are given love and shown kindness, 

Snookie has come out of her terrified shell.  In a few months, this now sweet and curious rabbit has become a happy girl with a healthy appetite for veggies and hay. She answers to her own name and loves to be loved on. We know we can't make up for the miserable life she had before EARS, but we also know there is something more we can do to make the rest of her life even better:

We might be able to give her back her eyesight.

After a thorough examination, EARS has learned that Snookie has a very good chance to see again. However, the surgery will be expensive (and we do understand--these are her eyes we're talking about!) So why do the surgery? Because our mantra is simple: a foster bunny is the same as a forever bunny, and all bunnies deserve the best care and the best life possible.

As with all rabbits we rescue, we took Snookie into our care with a promise that we would do everything humanly possible to make her life as wonderful as it should have been from the start.   

Our goal is fundraise for the approximate $2,500 her surgery will cost.

So here's what we are asking for on behalf of Snookie: donations. We're calling our campaign "Snookie's Fund." Admittedly, it's not the most creative name but it gets the point across. 

A few dollars from enough people will help us reach our goal of $2,500. Even a $5 or $10 donation from enough people will make a difference. To encourage donations, we're earmarking 2011 membership donations for Snookie's surgery. 

You can also help by posting Snookie's story and a link to this page on your Facebook wall. If you use Twitter please send a tweet to help us spread the word! 

Visit the Friends of Snookie Page