Honoring Our Medical Team on World Veterinary Day
Dr. Christine Austin preps for surgery at HRS.
Observed annually on the last Saturday in April, World Veterinary Day recognizes the vital role veterinarians play in protecting the health of animals, people, and our shared environment. This year, April 26th is World Veterinary Day, and the theme is "Animal health takes a team," highlighting the collaboration at the heart of veterinary care.
We want to give a heartfelt shoutout to Dr. Christine Austin, our staff veterinarian, and Grace Santos, our registered veterinary technician (RVT), for their unwavering dedication to the rabbits. Whether they're performing life-saving surgeries or training the next generation of veterinary professionals through our veterinary training initiative, their impact is immeasurable.
(left) A rabbit being prepped for surgery at HRS.
In 2024, we spayed/neutered 398 rabbits at our rescue facility in Richmond, California, which helped prevent more unwanted rabbits from entering already-overcrowded shelters. We also vaccinated 900 rabbits through our monthly vaccine clinics, protecting them from RHDV2. Dr. Austin and Grace lead these efforts with incredible skill and compassion. We thank them for their tireless commitment to the health and wellbeing of every rabbit who comes through our doors and their ongoing efforts to raise the standard of rabbit care both here in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the country.
Looking ahead, we’re continuing to expand our veterinary training program, designed to give veterinary students, technicians, and practicing veterinarians hands-on experience in rabbit care. As the only rabbit rescue in the U.S. with a full-time veterinarian and an on-site surgery suite, we strongly feel it is our responsibility to help improve access to quality rabbit medical care nationwide.
Training takes place at our facility in Richmond, California, and includes learning:
Rabbit-safe handling techniques
Routine medical treatments and diagnostics
Best practices for spay/neuter surgeries
Anesthesia and intubation protocols
Observation of and participation in special procedures, including enucleations, dentals, and more
Comprehensive pre- and post-operative care
For professionals who can’t travel to us, we are also hard at work to offer remote learning resources very soon, including instructional videos, dosage charts, and treatment guidelines, all tailored to rabbit-specific care.
As our veterinary training program continues to grow, we're excited to welcome more pre-vet students, vet techs, and veterinarians into the fold. With increased knowledge and confidence, they’ll return to their communities ready to elevate the standard of rabbit care, something our community urgently needs.
If you’re looking to increase your rabbit medicine experience—whether you’re in vet school, need clinic hours, or simply want to expand your skills—we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at rabbit-center@houserabbit.org to learn how you can get involved. Together, we can create a brighter, healthier future for rabbits everywhere!
