Our Early Beginnings
How a Las Vegas mental health facility became ground zero for one of the largest domestic rabbit rescues in the country — and how Bunnies Matter was born.
The Charleston Mental Health Facility
The original Las Vegas bunny dumpsite — and where it all started.
Building 1 — Before February 2018 Rescue
Charleston Mental Health Facility Campus
Building 1 — After the Rescue
Over 700 bunnies rescued (including babies born after rescuing females)
Dumpsite Eliminated!
Due to the completion of the rescue effort at the original "Vegas Bunny Dumpsite," this site has been eliminated. It is no longer the largest bunny dumpsite in the country — in fact, it is no longer a dumpsite at all.
The Original Story
There is a central location in Las Vegas where people have dumped their unwanted pet bunnies at a large State mental health facility because there are already hundreds of "wild" domestic bunnies running around at this site. These bunny dumpers probably figure, "Hey, what's one more bunny there? They'll be happy here!" The problem with that is that bunnies are very territorial and if you haven't ever seen bunnies fight, it is more brutal than you can imagine. The new bunnies that are dumped here will be attacked by the other bunnies, suffer heatstroke, be hurt by other animals (coyotes and hawks) and/or run out in the street and get hit by cars because they are being chased.
The story that we've heard from a few different people is that around 2007, the State thought that it would be calming for their mental patients to have bunnies running around their huge, many-acre facility, so they let several bunnies loose — not spayed or neutered, of course.
Rabbits Breed Like Rabbits
The State did not take into consideration that rabbits breed like rabbits. Since the bunnies at this site have never been fixed, the hundreds of female bunnies can have between 4 and 12 babies every 30 days — and their offspring can start reproducing at 3 to 4 months old. It doesn't take long for the bunny population to explode. The ONLY reason the population was somewhat under control was that bunnies had been constantly dying from injury, local predators, or being purposely killed.
A Failed Rescue Attempt
The state of Nevada contracted a rescue called V Sanctuary (Fall 2015) to "fix" the bunny issue, but according to the owner, he was not given enough funds to solve the problem. A Channel 13 news story reported that V Sanctuary was paid $17,000 — but whatever amount was spent, it was a complete waste of time and money. While the initial effort temporarily reduced the population, since not all bunnies were rescued and fixed, six months later (May 2016) the population was already out of control again.
Condition of the Bunnies
During the spring and fall there is some grass and water from sprinklers, but the weather in Vegas is brutal on these bunnies in the other two seasons. We have found parts of bunnies, dead bunnies, and some grassroots rescuers have even had to put a few bunnies to sleep because of severe injuries. One of our favorite rescues — Matty/Lucky — cost our volunteer $1,500 to vet her.
Floyd Lamb Park — The Next Chapter
Unfortunately, clearing the mental health facility made Floyd Lamb Park the largest bunny dumpsite in town. As of October 2019, Bunnies Matter Rescue had captured every domestic bunny on property and began holding adoption events there every Saturday from 10 AM – 3 PM.
Floyd Lamb Park — the next major dumpsite
Jackie and Carri at the "Bunny House" at Floyd Lamb Park
Adoption Event every Saturday at Floyd Lamb Park — 10 AM – 3 PM
Our first bunny adoption at Floyd Lamb Park
"Parker" — dumped and left to fend on his own
"Parker" — living an amazing life with his two new friends
As of May 2021,As of April 2021, we had rescued all the dumped bunnies at Floyd Lamb Park (current total: 70) and most have been adopted to great homes. Michele Fiore and the Parks Division are currently working with our group to help save other bunnies that have been dumped in and around the City of Las Vegas. We applied for 501(c)3 status in January 2020 and are now officially a 501(c)3 bunny rescue non-profit.
Neighborhood Dumpsites
These were feral bunnies in an NW Las Vegas neighborhood that made a home under our family's shed and began breeding — which is how our daughters and we (the Schweiger family) became aware that there are very few resources for bunnies in Las Vegas.
There are several neighborhoods in Las Vegas where dumped bunnies are breeding and struggling to survive. We personally have been doing our part in our neighborhood and have done TNR (Trap Neuter Return) on our property to help stop the breeding.
The last 5 survivors of our neighborhood rescue were transported to Lollypop Farm in New York using the Bunderground Railroad.
Our Volunteer Bunny Heroes
None of this would be possible without the incredible people who give their time, money, and hearts to these bunnies.
There is still a lot of work to do.
Feeding and caring for hundreds of dumped bunnies is very expensive. If you can donate, please do. If you can't donate, please share!