Meet Gigi.

The six-year-old English Lop was transferred from a Maryland shelter to Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue in September. The large rabbit with long ears instantly won the hearts of staff and volunteers.

Photo: Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue

Sadly, she is one of countless rabbits who are surrendered to shelters when their owner loses interest. The sweet and friendly rabbit was a favorite at adoption events and staff thought she would quickly find a home.

A few months later, she was still at the rescue and her health started to decline. She stopped eating, which is always an emergency situation since rabbits eat constantly, and quickly lost weight. She was rushed to an animal clinic who performed X-rays to try and figure out why she lost her appetite.

Photo: Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue

The medical team didn't find any blockage and moved on to a blood test and ultrasound. The results showed that Gigi was suffering from an often fatal liver condition known as liver torsion. She immediately underwent surgery to repair her liver and survived.

The rescue shared with us that Gigi's case was luckily of "chronic torsion" rather than the more fatal "acute torsion".

Gigi is expected to make a full recovery but will need weeks of rehabilitation. She is already eating and starting to gain weight.

Photo: Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue

Will you help her heal?

The rescue reached out to Greater Good Charities' Emergency Animal Medical fund for help with her medical bills. The fund helps shelter animals get the second chance they deserve by sending funds to cover emergency surgeries and other medical needs.

Pets receiving critical care facilitated by an Emergency Animal Medical grant may not be eligible for adoption until they have completed their course of treatment. If you would like to inquire about adoption of a specific animal, we strongly encourage you to visit the shelter’s specific website first as that is often the most up to date place to learn about available pets and review the adoption policies and process. Check out the shelter’s website to see all adoptable pets.

Help us meet our goal of $6,000 for Gigi and pets like her. Your gift will not only give her the hope to keep fighting, but your donations will help cover her ongoing care.