The Purpose and Expectation Behind Donations
First of all, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to every friend who chooses to support the Bunny Lovers Association through actual donations. Your willingness to help means the world to us.
However, before making a donation, we invite you to pause for a moment and think about the purpose and expectation behind your contribution. Are you hoping that the association will "take the money and get things done," or are you donating "out of recognition and support" for what we stand for? There is an important difference between the two.
The intention and expectation you bring when donating will shape how you later perceive the organization's actions and outcomes. Understanding this helps create a more meaningful and trusting relationship between donors and the association.
Message from the Rabbit Welfare Association
Our team at the Rabbit Welfare Association feels it is important to speak with complete honesty to the public. With the current limited number of dedicated staff, we are already fully engaged in demanding responsibilities — including round-the-clock duties, education, rescue operations, animal care, medical treatment, public relations, legal research, adoption services, volunteer training, and essential administrative work.
Given these ongoing commitments, the amount of extra time we can spare is already extremely tight. It is therefore impossible for us to meet every individual donor's specific expectations concerning particular cases of concern.
In light of this, we sincerely hope our donors define their contributions as a recognition and support of the work the Association is undertaking — rather than as instructions or commissions directing us to handle specific matters.
When Resources Are Limited: The Reality Behind Rescue Work
A real-life example: Every time a rescue application is submitted, but the association determines that the case does not meet foster placement principles or does not qualify as an emergency relief case, the applicant often responds with anger. They may accuse the association of taking donations without doing real work, disrespecting donors, or even claim that because they donated before, their own request should receive priority treatment.
However, in reality, the association must make difficult choices within its limited resources. It can only act on the most urgent cases or those that clearly meet the criteria for emergency aid. The principle is to allocate scarce resources wisely—to spend them where they are most needed and to help as many animals as possible in a fair and effective way.
Let us not forget: for every pet rabbit adopted through the association, all spaying, neutering, and medical expenses are fully covered by the organization. Not a single cent is charged to the adopter. This commitment reflects the association's dedication to animal welfare, even amid the constraints of limited funding and manpower.
Case Study 1: A Misunderstanding in Animal Rescue
One day, a donor came across a post online showing that a local shelter had rabbits in its care. Deeply concerned, the donor immediately contacted the Animal Welfare Association, urging them to go and rescue the animals.
The Association explained that the situation at the shelter did not fall under their "emergency rescue" criteria. They further clarified that the Association already had a formal cooperation mechanism with the shelter: whenever assistance is needed, the shelter itself would take the initiative to reach out.
Upon hearing that the Association would not intervene, the donor became angry. They accused the Association of being fraudulent and untrustworthy, refusing to accept the explanation provided by the staff.
This incident highlights how misunderstandings can arise when the scope of responsibility in animal welfare is unclear. Transparent communication and public education are essential to ensure both donors and rescue groups work together effectively for animal well-being.
Case Study 2: A Dispute with the Rabbit Hospital
In this case, an individual got into a dispute with a rabbit hospital for personal reasons and was subsequently placed on the hospital's blacklist, making it impossible for them to contact the facility directly. Later, the person called the association, asking staff members to contact the hospital on their behalf.
However, since hospital-related matters were outside the association's responsibilities, the volunteer on duty politely declined the request. The individual then insisted that, as a donor, the association was obliged to offer assistance. The situation escalated when the caller angrily scolded the volunteer.
This case highlights the importance of setting clear boundaries between organizational responsibilities and donor expectations. Even when personal emotions run high, maintaining respect and understanding ensures smoother communication and preserves mutual trust.
The Challenge of Animal Rescue Sustainability
For a single rescue case, spending around ten thousand dollars to save one rabbit—including medical treatment and sterilization—may seem remarkable. In reality, anyone with determination could probably raise such funds. However, when it comes to rescuing hundreds of animals every year, things become far more complex than a simple math problem of multiplying that cost by two hundred.
Large-scale rescue efforts bring about enormous demands in terms of space, medical care, manpower, adoption work, and equipment. Each case involves layers of procedures—intake assessments, management of outgoing adoptions, follow-up care, and interviews. Every step is interlinked, and a single mistake can cause bottlenecks or chain reactions that strain the entire system.
Moreover, given the existing scale of the Rabbit Welfare Association and its donation income and expenses, it is simply impossible to sustain such a level of financial demand. This highlights the delicate balance between compassion and capacity that lies at the heart of animal rescue work.
Understanding the Realities of Frontline Rescuers
We hope everyone can understand the real and often difficult challenges faced by frontline rescuers. Their work demands time, energy, compassion, and countless unseen sacrifices. It is not always as simple as spending money to make things happen—because hands-on rescue involves emotions, logistics, and the unpredictable realities of life itself.
However, if you still view donations as a way of "paying someone to handle things for me," then perhaps it may be better to contribute to another organization that aligns more with that expectation. After all, success and compassion do not have to belong exclusively to our group.
What truly matters is that anyone or any organization capable of using their resources to care for more small lives deserves support and encouragement. Whether it's through our rescue network or through others who share the same goal, every act of kindness helps make the world a more caring place for those who need it most.
