Most people have spotted a bunny in their yard, and most of those are wild rabbits.
Next time, look a little closer. The animal might be a domestic breed, and the organization to call if you spot one is Rabbit Wranglers.
“We get calls all the time from people about rabbits on their property,” said Suaz Forsythe of Lawrenceville, who co-runs Rabbit Wranglers with business partner Alyssa O’Toole of Dormont. “I tell them to take a picture. If it’s a domestic rabbit, we go out and trap it so we can help the animal.”
Domestic rabbits don’t survive as well as their wild counterparts. Forsythe and O’Toole care for them and find foster homes. Recognizing their work are members of the Anthrocon convention, which chooses a charity to raise money for the weekend they are in town.
The organization is this year’s beneficiary.
Rabbit Wranglers is a Pittsburgh-based, all-volunteer nonprofit organization. Its mission is to help abused, neglected and abandoned rabbits and educate the public to improve the lives of these companion animals. It helps rescue rabbits, assists shelters with their high-maintenance cases and overflow population and provides medical, hospice and behavioral rabbit care. It also works to keep rabbits in their homes.
Rabbit Wranglers helps rabbits with special needs, medical issues or injuries all across the country. It averages 60-70 rabbits in its care, and, without a facility, its foster homes are exhausted. It always is looking for help.
Anthrocon tries to choose Pennsylvania-based charities, said John “KP” Cole of Orlando, Fla., public outreach director for the convention. He said the convention tries to look for smaller charities that may not have a lot of fundraising capabilities.
Well over $100,000 has been donated to charity over the years the event has been in Pittsburgh, including $41,000 last year, Cole said.
“Pittsburgh supports us, so we want to support Pittsburgh,” said Coast, an Anthrocon attendee dressed as a husky. “I carried a bucket around at last year’s convention, and it was fun raising money.”
In addition to the bucket collection, the convention will raise money via game and comedy shows where people can donate.
There also will be a charity auction Sunday afternoon that offers items and products unique to the convention.
The connection with Anthrocon is natural, Forsythe said while setting up a booth at the convention center Thursday afternoon. Rabbits will be at the convention.
Rabbits are the third most adopted or surrendered companion animal in shelters, Forsythe said.
“We work with shelters to make the care of rabbits easier and with homeowners to keep rabbits in their home,” Forsythe said. “It’s a perfect union. We are so grateful.”
VisitPittsburgh president and CEO Jerad Bachar said most people are aware of the convention’s economic impact, but the charity arm makes a societal impact, as well.
“They are such a tight-knit community,” Bachar said. “They connect to Pittsburgh through charitable outreach. They give back, and that can’t be understated. That generosity goes a long way. The Rabbit Wranglers are a wonderful cause.”
Donations can be made online at anthrocon.org.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne by email at jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter .