A few years ago, Kaili Stalling came across seven rabbits near her home in Norway, bounding around on the road, abandoned.

Calls for help made to local rescues were little help — no group was set up to take in large numbers of pets labeled as “exotic.”

With previous experience doing cat rescue and with Misfits Wildlife Rehab in Auburn, leaving the rabbits she found to fend on their own was not an option.

“It was kind of a surprise to me that small towns contract with so many shelters that don’t really take small animals or exotics,” Stalling said. “I decided I’d trap those seven, have them fixed and rehome them.”

But rather than her act of kindness being a one-and-done situation, Stalling found herself labeled as the woman who takes in rabbits and she soon received a call about another colony.

“Someone said they had heard I rescued rabbits,” Stalling said. “And at the time I didn’t, but there was obviously a problem and need, so I said I would help. It ended up being 13 Angoras. They were matted and gross.” 

She and a friend, Rachel Gailitis, trapped the rabbits, trimmed their out-of-control fur and nails and worked with the Animal Welfare Society and Greater Androscoggin Humane Society to get them medical attention and place them in foster care until the shelters either placed them in permanent homes or became able to intake them.

And the calls kept coming — 18 were on the loose in South Paris, and then a colony of more than two dozen in West Paris.

By then it was clear to Stalling and Gailitis they were filling a real need in the community and found themselves being called to help from people and groups from York county to the midcoast and into central Maine. 

They founded Rocky Coast Rabbit Rescue and Sanctuary as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2024 and have become leading voices on the education and care of rabbits across much of the state.

While Gailitis has had to step back from active rescue recently, Stalling continues the mission with her partner, Julian Redman.

“We had to buy a bigger house,” Redman quipped.

Rabbit care is not cheap. It can cost as much $800 to neuter one rabbit. Many of the 200-plus rabbits Rocky Coast has rescued have required medical treatment for injuries, illness and parasites. They are prone to dental infections, ear mites and other difficult-to-treat conditions.

Spring is a busy time for rabbit rescue.

“At Easter, it’s the time for cute bunnies,” Stalling said. “But there is much more to having a pet rabbit than people assume. Their best environment is to live inside but they require close supervision.

“We encourage anyone who wants a pet rabbit to reach out to us. We provide education about their care and ongoing support to new owners. Starting out as a foster home, caring for a neutered rabbit is usually the best way to guarantee a happy outcome.”

To learn more, email Stalling at [email protected] or visit Rocky Coast Rabbit Rescue and Sanctuary’s Facebook page.

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