Foster Home

From 2020 - 2024 I ran a small foster home from my apartment in Bulgaria. I worked with several organizations to provide food, shelter, and care for rescued animals. Some rescue animals were found wandering alone on the street, some were left abandoned in cages, and some were queued up to be killed for meat.

But each animal came into foster, got the love and attention they needed, and moved on to their second chance at life - with a loving family. Each animal was special to me, and this page is to remember and share them.

The creation of a new, larger foster home is in progress. The space is due to be opened in 2025.

Sadie

Species/breed: Giant mix

Born: 2023

Rescue organization: Bunny Rescue Bulgaria

Description: Sadie was rescued from a meat farm in 2024 by Bunny Rescue Bulgaria. When she was taken in, she was found to be pregnant and soon gave birth to litter of bunnies. Once the babies were old enough to be independent, new homes were found for each of the babies and mom.

Sadie is a beautiful rabbit with a calm nature. She is a mini-giant due to some mixed genetics. She enjoyed her time in foster, especially meal times. Her hobbies include napping on the couch and chewing on old boxes. Sadie stayed in foster for around two months during the summer of 2024.

Ginny and Tony

Species/breed: Checkered giant

Born: October 2023 (approx.)

Rescue organization: Bunny Rescue Bulgaria

Description: Brother and sister, Ginny and Tony (G&T) do everything together, all day long. They are early birds who woke me up more than once while adventuring around my apartment at 6am.

During the day the groom each other and snuggle up. Although they are mostly kind to each other, food is a dividing issue and they have no problem stealing from one another.

Ginny and Tony had a short stay with me in March 2024. They then moved to another foster parent, who is considering adopting them. G&T are bonded and cannot be separated, so we wish them luck with their potential new home.

Gizmo

Species/breed: Abyssinian guinea pig

Born: January 2023 (approx.)

Rescue organization: Bunny Rescue Bulgaria

Description: Gizmo is a young and energetic guinea pig. He loves having space to run around, snacks, and he starts to sing when his food is being prepared. He is has a very curious and sweet nature.

Gizmo was found on the street by himself. His original owners could not be located, and it seems like he was abandoned.

Guinea pigs are very social animals and should always be housed in groups of at least two, and provided plenty of space to run around. Gizmo was adopted into a family who had another pig whose partner had sadly passed away. Gizmo and his new brother are now great friends. They enjoy naps together and singing their 'where is my food' song every morning.

Captain Bun Morgan

Species/breed: Californian

Rescue organization: Bunny Rescue Bulgaria

Description: Captain Bun Morgan is a very energetic and curious rabbit. As his name suggests, Captain Bun Morgan is an explorer who loves new things and places. After arriving at his foster home, Morgan stayed in the rabbit pen for a few hours before jumping out so he could explore the room.

Morgan had a poor start to life, being kept in a small cage and then abandoned outside during winter. If Bunny Rescue Bulgaria had not taken him, he would have died. Maybe due to the small cage he was found in, Morgan takes every opportunity to explore and stretch his legs.

Morgan now lives happily together with his girlfriend Dobrinka, where he has an entire home to explore.

Morgan was dumped in a cage outside, during winter.

In foster, Morgan loved to spread out on the couch and take naps.

Koko

Species/breed: English spot

Rescue organization: Bunny Rescue Bulgaria

Description: Koko is a mini-dog who will follow you around looking for snacks. He's a very relaxed rabbit who loves to nap and eat. Through no fault of his own, Koko was an unwanted pet surrendered to Bunny Rescue Bulgaria. Too many rabbits are bred and sold as babies from pet stores. Rabbits need a lot of time, money, and space, so most rabbits purchased from stores end up abandoned.

Koko immediately took to his foster home, and found all the nice spots to nap in. After we got him neutered, to help reduce the number of bunnies, he was ready to be adopted. Koko was so social and loving, it was easy to find an adopter. We wanted to find someone with another bunny for Koko to spend time with.

Now, Koko lives with his new family, spending his time grooming and cuddling with his new brother Leo.

Koko attending a Bunny Yoga class, where he met his adoptive family.

Toast

Species/breed: Mix

Rescue organization: Slatina Puppy Gang / Bogrov Dog Shelter

Description: Toast is a very sweet, older dog. Toast came for foster in 2022 after spending many years in a large, state run dog shelter. His soft coat was covered in matting, and unfortunately he tested positive for heart worms - which can be fatal if untreated.

We immediately began treatment for heart worms, and started long daily grooming sessions to get his coat under control. However, a bigger issue was his fear of elevators and more generally to walk on a leash. I live on the top floor of my building so walking up and down the stairs several times a day was not a good option. With help from some experts, we identified that Toast would take one step forward for food. So that's the approach we took, we got closer to the elevator literally step by step. We walked around the block step by step, snack by snack.

Eventually, Toast got more confident to use the elevator, and to walk without constant snacks. His heart worm treatment finished and he made a good recovery.

Toast was adopted by a student, who absolutely spoils him. He is spending his retirement with her, well fed and happy.

Toast was scared outside of the shelter at first, but he quickly started to enjoy his new adventure.

Sooty

Species/breed: Californian

Rescue organization: Bunny Rescue Bulgaria

Description: Sooty was originally bred as a meat rabbit. He was saved by a neighbour who found him and brought him to Bunny Rescue Bulgaria. Sooty's original name was Bella, because we believed he was a girl right up until he went in for neutering!

Sooty came into foster at a young age, so he became very affectionate and loving towards humans. He loves attention and would lay on the couch or floor beside you while he gets petted. He also loves food, and would hop around my feet while waiting for his dinner.

His first adoptive home didn't work out as he was fighting with his new sibling. Sooty returned to foster for a short period, until his final adoption to a loving family.

Sooty was a baby when he first arrived, his ears grew even bigger.

Sherlock

Species/breed: Belgian shepherd mix

Rescue organization: Slatina Puppy Gang

Description: Sherlock and his brother Kai were found by the side of a busy street in 2020. Although they were very young, mom was nowhere to be found. Both boys were checked by the vet, got their shots and a microchip before going into foster.

Sherlock was the most adorable puppy. His legs grew long very quickly, making him awkward and clumsy. But his puppy fur was soft and thick, and his inquisitive eyes meant we could never walk very far without someone stopping us to ask about him.

Most street dogs are a mix of many breeds, however Sherlock turned out to be very close to a Belgian Shephard, with at least one parent probably being a full breed. These dogs are very smart, and Sherlock was no exception. We played new games and hid food in new places every day to keep him engaged (and not interested in destroying furniture).

Naturally, Sherlock was adopted quickly, and now lives with his much smaller adoptive brother Shwartz.

On the street

In foster

All grown up

Dudu

Species/breed: Loaf / Dwarf mix

Rescue organization: Bunny Rescue Bulgaria

Description: Dudu was the first rescue bunny to come into foster with me. Although he is adorable, fluffy, and sweet natured, Dudu is another abandoned pet. He loves affection and will hop up on the couch and sit right on your lap to get the best cuddle position.

Dudu stayed with me while we waited for his neuter operation. After that we wanted to find a home with another bun because Dudu is so affectionate.

Dudu now lives with a family who are obsessed with him, and give him the best life.