06/06/2026
When a large white rabbit approached a homeowner in Brockton, MA, it was immediately clear something was wrong. She was able to gently get him into a carrier and brought him to our Wildlife Hospital.
Upon arrival, our veterinary team confirmed that the rabbit is actually domestic and not a wild animal, and performed a full medical assessment. While our Odd Pet Vet team regularly cares for rabbits, without an owner, Snow White (as Dr. Gannaway named him and he is now affectionately being called) had nowhere else to go. Our staff stepped in and provided him care at no cost while we worked to find out more information on where he came from and worked out a plan.
As we began our investigation, we contacted the Brockton Animal Inspector in case someone was searching for a missing pet. While we were unable to connect him to a specific owner, his condition suggested he was likely a recently abandoned rabbit.
His arrival also comes amid ongoing concerns about domestic rabbits being released in the Brockton area. A group of rabbits were reportedly abandoned after a homeowner moved away. Local officials and community members have spent months working to safely capture and rescue them - highlighting a heartbreaking animal welfare issue that continues to affect communities across the region.
By the time Snow White arrived at our hospital, he was in rough shape. Our veterinary team treated his wounds, prescribed antibiotics and anti inflammatory medications, addressed a severe ear mite infestation, and began treatment for painful sore hocks. Most importantly, he finally received a warm, safe place to rest and a good meal. Seeing him eagerly eat after admission was one of the first encouraging signs that he was ready to begin recovering!
Today, Snow White has been transferred to a dedicated rabbit rescue organization, where he will continue his rehabilitation and receive the long term care he deserves. We are grateful to everyone who played a role in his rescue, from the compassionate community member who stopped to help, to City of Brockton Animal Control Department and local partners who have spent months trying to assist abandoned rabbits, to the rescue organization that welcomed her into the next chapter of her journey.
Cases like Snow White’s are a reminder that animal welfare is often a community effort. Whether it's an abandoned rabbit, a cold stunned tegu, an alligator snapping turtle, or another displaced domestic animal, our team is frequently called upon to help animals that fall outside traditional systems of care. While our primary mission is wildlife rehabilitation, we also recognize that there are times when an animal has nowhere else to turn. In those moments, we do our best to step in, provide care, and help connect them with the resources they need.
This is one of the things that makes our Odd Pet Vet and Wildlife Hospital model so crucial. It allows us to respond when the community finds an animal in need, even when that animal is not wildlife. It allows us to support animal control officers, inspectors, rescue organizations, and concerned residents who simply want to do the right thing.
Most of all, we are proud to be part of a community that cares enough to notice when an animal is in trouble and willing to work together to make sure they get a second chance!
Photo 1-3: Snow White eating after his exam
Photo 4: Chrissy transporting Snow White to his new home
