ROCK HALL — Just last week, a Chestertown area family adopted a pet rabbit named Chalky from Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue and Education Center (ESRREC), marking the 500th adoption in the local nonprofit’s 10-year history.
Tracey and Chris Yiannakis, together with their daughter Skylar, celebrated the new addition to their family at an adoption ceremony conducted at ESRREC’s outreach building in Rock Hall.
The Yiannakis family fostered Chalky for two months prior to the adoption.
Chalky was transferred to ESRREC in 2024 from Baltimore County Animal Services, which had seized more than 60 rabbits in a hoarding case.
ESRREC took a newborn litter — including Chalky, his siblings and their mother — along with two other rabbits from the shelter.
Chalky’s “happy ending” is made possible by dedicated volunteers who manage all aspects of the rabbit rescue, including fundraising, veterinary visits, catching stray rabbits and holding adoption events.
ESRREC was established in December 2014 by Rock Hall resident Cora Dickson as a volunteer-based organization.
For several years, ESRREC volunteers operated a shelter on Rock Hall’s Main Street for abandoned pet rabbits.
Since 2023, ESRREC has relied solely on foster families to take care of the rabbits until they are adopted, while maintaining the small outreach building in Rock Hall Village.
The majority of ESRREC funds are spent on veterinary expenses, including spay/neuter and vaccination.
ESRREC’s adoption process emphasizes the commitment and specialized care needed for pet rabbits.
For more information, contact Cora Dickson, president, at ccdickson@esrrec.org.
ESRREC will host an open house on Friday, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at its outreach building in Rock Hall Village, 21267 Rock Hall Ave. Stop by before or after the parade; refreshments will be available.
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According to a post on its Facebook page, Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue and Education Center is unable to take in more rabbits until the nonprofit has more foster homes.
“Several Maryland shelters have contacted us for help with overcrowding, but we are limited in our ability to pull rabbits from shelters at this time. We currently have 35 rabbits in our care. However, we can take in more rabbits if we can find more foster families,” the social media post states.
ESRREC can supply basic equipment such as a playpen, litter box, food/water bowls and a week’s worth of food, litter and hay.
Preference is given to families living on the Eastern Shore.
Applicants will be provided a copy of the current ESRREC foster policy.
Once approved, the foster family and ESRREC will sign a “foster contract” that clearly delineates roles and responsibilities.
ESRREC covers all medical expenses for rabbits in foster care.
Where possible ESRREC will help with transportation to veterinary appointments.
Foster families will have an option to adopt or to help ESRREC find a new home for the rabbit by bringing it to adoption events.
To apply to be a foster family for Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue, see http://esrrec.org/foster.
