I've been an Exotic Veterinary Assistant for 6 years and am very well-rounded in the love and care of many exotic species especially rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas!
How I got started:
In 2011 I got my first job at age 17 working in a small pet store in El Monte, California. During the several months I was employed there I learned how cruel humankind can be towards animals. Just after my first week on the job a gentleman came in with a box full of baby bunnies and stated, in very broken English, that he didn't want them and is giving them to the store to sell. As I was putting the babies in a cage, I picked one up that was obviously very ill and needed medical attention. His eye was completely swollen shut and dried blood surrounded the area. I asked my boss at the time what we could do for the poor thing, and he replied that he couldn't sell it and will call a friend to come get it for his snake. In horror, I told him that I would take it if my family approved. The next thing I know I'm taking the baby bunny home on the bus with me. We named him Binkie!
After a couple days of doing a warm/cold compress on his eye and syringe feeding him baby food he presented with "head-tilt." We rushed Binkie to the only vet we knew who saw rabbits at the time and was given an antibiotic (which now knowing as much as I do; it shouldn't have even worked, but we are so glad it did). It took Binkie several weeks to improve and stabilize but once he did he was the sweetest most loving animal I'd ever met.
Shortly after Binkie got better, we acquired 4 more rabbits all in horrible conditions and in need of medical attention. The atmosphere that I thought would be a good experience for me was all too much to handle mentally, and I said goodbye to the pet store - never to return.
After losing several rabbits to malpractice at the other hospital we found Exotic Animal Veterinary Center in Pasadena, California and started bringing our rabbits there.
Wanting to learn more to better my rabbit experience, I asked to work voluntarily which quickly became a full-time paying job. I worked for Dr. Kanfer for 7 years as an Exotic Veterinary Assistant! I am grateful to her, and her staff, for all the wonderful years of specialized hands-on experience I received.
Binkie passed away in 2017, but his memory and inspiration we carry close to us as we house and help other animals in need. In honor of him we named our business after him!
Today:
I am currently attending Cal Poly Pomona to earn my BA in Business Management and Human Resources. My plan is to continue helping those in need by continuing the love and care we provide here at Binkie's Burrow and one day managing local businesses.
