Three women have come forward to share their story of rescuing bunnies that were abandoned in New York City’s Prospect Park after being used in a photoshoot by Anna Delvey. Terry Chao, Jennifer Babcock, and Jenna Goins recently spoke with PEOPLE about their efforts to track down and safely capture the three domestic rabbits that were left behind.
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The incident began when domestic rabbits used in a photo shoot for Anna Delvey’s Instagram account were found abandoned in Prospect Park. Christian Batty, the hairstylist who allegedly procured the animals for the shoot, later apologized in a now-deleted Instagram post, admitting that he had released the rabbits in the park out of panic. Delvey credited Batty in her Instagram post and shared his apology before he deleted his social media accounts.
Terry Chao, a vegan blogger, first learned about one of the abandoned rabbits through a post in her neighbourhood Facebook group. She quickly realised that the rabbit was one of the same animals featured in Delvey’s photoshoot and felt compelled to rescue it. With the help of Jenna Goins, who offered her expertise in catching wild rabbits, and her roommate Caroline, they managed to capture two of the three rabbits.
Chao identified the third missing rabbit from Delvey’s photoshoot and traced its origins to a surrender post in the “NYC Bunnies” Facebook group. She connected with a previous owner who confirmed that Batty had picked up the rabbits. The group eventually found the third rabbit with Batty’s help, and all three bunnies – Parker, Moon, and Joaquin – were safely rescued and are now in foster or foster-to-adopt homes.
Notably, all three rescuers emphasised that the issue of abandoned rabbits is not unique to this incident but is a common occurrence. They highlighted the importance of raising awareness about responsible pet ownership and the specific needs of domestic rabbits. Jenna Goins explained that many people are unaware that rabbits should live indoors and are not equipped to handle the outdoors like wild rabbits.
Despite the attention this case has received due to Anna Delvey’s involvement, the women stress that such instances happen frequently and need to be addressed. Chao underscored the urgency of educating the public about proper pet care and the consequences of irresponsible pet dumping. By sharing their experience and advocating for the well-being of the rescued bunnies, these women hope to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In response to the situation, Delvey addressed the handling of the rabbits in a social media post and made a donation to a rabbit rescue organisation. She asserted that as an animal lover, she would ensure better protocols for sourcing and caring for animals in the future. Now that the bunnies are safe and receiving proper care, the focus remains on spreading awareness and promoting responsible pet ownership for all animals, not just those in the public eye.
The collaborative effort of Terry Chao, Jennifer Babcock, and Jenna Goins serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and vigilance in protecting vulnerable animals. Their dedication to rescuing the abandoned bunnies reflects a commitment to animal welfare and a mission to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The story of these brave women sheds light on the enduring need for advocacy and education in the realm of animal care and highlights the impact that individuals can make when they come together for a common cause.