Former Mill Valley executive’s rabbit rescue saves thousands of abandoned bunnies

By Sharon Chin

The approaching Easter holiday often means an increase in the purchase and gifting of live rabbits, and a resulting spike in abandonments. A North Bay woman has been tackling that problem for nearly three decades.

In 1999, Mill Valley resident Marcy Berman never imagined she’d fall in love with a bunny. The former Fortune 100 company marketing executive rescued a white rabbit that a family with kids no longer wanted.

“They said you can just have her. And that’s how it started,” she said.

The bunny changed her life, and Berman hopped into action. She learned everything she could about rabbits. Before she knew it, she founded SaveABunny, a nonprofit that has rescued and rehabilitated more than 5,000 bunnies in 27 years.

“They’re very smart, they’re very sweet, but they’re also feisty, and I kind of appreciate that,” Berman said.

Berman rehabilitates rabbits that are abandoned, neglected, abused, and in danger of being euthanized. Other rabbits end up in her shelter after living their lives in a laboratory.

“They come in, they’ve never been out of a tiny metal cage,” Berman said. “They don’t know what a toy is; they’ve never had a chance to play.”

She showed us another white rabbit, eating greens, that survived getting thrown from a car in San Jose. In another area, a mother and daughter, white with black spots, were saved from being hoarded and getting killed for meat.

“We’ve had bunnies come from horrific situations like being set on fire,” Berman said. “And they end up becoming ambassador bunnies, and I take them to visit hospice patients.”

There aren’t many grants for rabbit shelters, so Berman and her volunteers rely on donations to get the animals spayed or neutered and provide medical care.

Donations are critical, Berman said. SaveABunny spends on average $300 to $500 to rehabilitate each rabbit, but they only charge $120 in fees when one is adopted. 

Volunteers also integrate acupuncture, Reiki and chiropractic healing where needed. SaveABunny partners with other shelters and is often the last resort.

“I joke around, ‘Do you have one-eyed, old, gooey, cranky 3-legged bunnies?’ We love them. They’re so resilient,” Berman said.

During Easter, Berman cautions adults not to impulsively adopt a bunny for children who may not be committed to caring for them long-term. 

While some rabbits find permanent sanctuary at SaveABunny, about 100 to 200 furry friends find new homes each year, for a 75% adoption rate. 

Longtime volunteer Jill Harris says Berman makes sure each bunny gets a good home, and the adopting family has a good connection.

“It’s not that you’re going to get the bunny that you want. You’re going to get the bunny that you need, making sure that everyone is matched perfectly.” Harris explained.

In fact, signs at the entrance read, “Are you ready to meet the love of your life?”

“And that is really important to me. That these animals feel seen and treasured for who they are.”