Meet The Team
Rabbit Advocates is a non-profit, all-volunteer animal rescue organization that aims to place abandoned or surrendered rabbits in loving homes where they will be welcomed as family members.
On May 15, 2002, Rabbit Advocates was incorporated as a non-profit rescue dedicated to rescuing domesticated bunnies. A small group of volunteers embarked on the mission of promoting the welfare of domestic rabbits. Over the years, the organization has grown into the organization it is today.
In 2021, Rabbit Advocates rescued 160 new rabbits from perilous situations, and found excellent adoptive homes for 148 rabbits with the help of 85 certified foster families in the Greater Portland Area. In 2020, Rabbit Advocates rescued 150 rabbits and adopted out 175 house rabbits.
Rabbit Advocates is an Ally of The House Rabbit Society and a fully-registered 501(c)(3) organization. Rabbit Advocates is a licensed Animal Rescue Entity (ARE) by the Oregon State Veterinarian under the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).
Board of Directors
Kem Sypher, President, Treasurer, Founding Board Member
Helen Swan, Vice President
Roni Nguyen, Secretary
Bridget Budbill, Member
Alexsis Cassaday, Member
Joan Gilbert, Founding Board Member
Faye Peebles, Member
Carinna Van Liew, Member
Annamika Konkola, Intern Member
Siri Kovi, Intern Member
Team Leads
Adoption: Veronica Hatch and Heather O’Neill
Adoption Counselors Kerrie Morrissey, Stephanie Bahnsen, Abiy Williams, and Veronica Hatch.
Communications & Marketing: Roni Nguyen
Education: Kem Sypher
Foster: Veronica Hatch and Heather O’Neill
Foster Counselors: Heather O’Neill and Veronica Hatch
Foster Supplies Manager: Theresa Furber
Hay: Shannon McArthur & Kris Newmann
Help Line: Joan Gilbert
Medical: Mary Anne Landowski
Spa: Amber Valdez & J. Tefft
Special Projects & Web/IT: Marie Boisvert
Vax Clinic: Jordan Rhodes
Volunteer Coordinator: Alex Henderson
Commitment to Quality
Rabbit Advocates complies with all laws and regulations, and implements industry best practices in our organization. We have wonderful foster homes where rabbits will thrive, and we ensure that rabbits are adopted into forever homes that meet the standards of Rabbit Advocates and The House Rabbit Society. Many rescued bunnies have survived traumatic events, and many have never known the comforts of living indoors as a valued family member. We are grateful for our foster providers who play an integral role in rehabilitating rescued rabbits and helping them find excellent adoptive homes. Over the past two years, we have made significant updates to our policies and processes to ensure compliance with new state, county, and city regulations. Below are key points from our Care Capacity Protocols:
We require all foster providers to complete a foster application and undertake an inspection of every home before placing foster rabbit(s) in their care.
We make sure each foster provider has enough time to provide bunnies with a clean habitat, daily food and water, and ample exercise and socialization.
We do not place more than four rabbits in a single foster home, with the exception of family units such as mama bunnies and their nursing babies. The majority of foster homes at Rabbit Advocates have 1-2 foster bunnies in their care.
We do not ask foster providers to take care of more rabbits than they are comfortable or able to care for. We do not “warehouse” rabbits as we know this is a strain on foster providers and rabbits alike.
We seek to have fun and save lives. We strive to promote a supportive organizational culture that enables everybun to learn and grow.
To learn more about Oregon's new animal rescue regulations, follow this link. If you have questions about the Rabbit Advocates Foster Program, please contact foster@rabbitadvocates.org.