Written by Karien van Wyk, Director of Critter Rescue SA
Photography by Riaan van der Merwe
On the 1st of May 2022 I went to put petrol in my car at my usual garage. As I got there, I saw one of the attendants call someone and, the next minute, Chicumba stands next to my car.
“Hello mum. You lescue animals,” he said (he has a slight speech impediment).
I looked at him curiously and said yes.
“Mum, what kind of animals you lescue?”
“I rescue bunnies, pigs and so on. Why do you ask?”
“Mum, the guys said I must wait for you. You don’t lescue labbits?”
“Labbies? No, I don’t do dogs, sorry.”
“No mum, labbits.”
I stared at him, perplexed, and then, finally, I got it: “Rabbits?!”
“Yes mum, labbits!”
“Yes I do... Why, what’s wrong?”
“Mum, I have a labbit and he got out, so the guys said the other dogs where I stay will kill him. I don’t want him to get killed. The guys said you always come and can help my labbit. I waited three days for you mum.”
“Ok, where is the rabbit?”
“In the bathroom, mum. I waited for you – I work night shift.”
My brain was working overtime. Is this guy for real? Only one way to find out. I looked at him steadily and asked him to fetch the rabbit.
And with that, we met our new addition, a snow-white bunny fondly named... Labbit! (And no, we’re not taking in any new animals at this point due to being full to the brim... but this was a special case.)
We have a lot of respect for Chicumba. He could’ve given Labbit to anyone, but instead he waited for help. And, soon after our Facebook post about Labbit, he found his forever home with Toni Botha.
Toni, Labbit’s new owner, shares...
After my bunny, Storm, died I decided to get another bunny, but not just any bunny; I had to adopt a rescue bunny. Seeing how many unwanted rabbits there are is just heart-breaking!
While I was browsing on Critter Rescue SA’s Facebook page I saw Labbit and thought he was such a gorgeous bunny. (I have to admit I’d never read the story behind Labbit – I even thought of changing his name). When my mom showed me Labbit’s story, I was touched deeply and I knew that he is LABBIT; a perfect name! It really touched my heart, and it’s amazing that there are people out there that still care.
Labbit has been part of the family for a few weeks now and I must say we’re really bonding so nicely. Labbit is such a curious and friendly bunny. He runs up to everyone who comes into my room and sleeps on my bed at night. My family knows they aren’t allowed to pick him up at this stage as they need to earn his trust (even though it looks like he already trusts them).
Labbit has the most impressive appetite; I’m thinking of starting a vegetable garden just for him!
Thank you Critter Rescue SA for allowing me to adopt this beautiful and very special bunny. It’s only been a while, but I already love Labbit so much and I couldn’t be happier for having him as part of our family!
