Residents urge board to preserve Bunny Lou rabbit rescue; county staff told to study options

Multiple residents, adopters and volunteers urged the Augusta County Board of Supervisors to allow Bunny Lou — a volunteer-run rabbit rescue operated by Mary Ellen Whitehouse — to continue operating in its current single-family residential location. Dozens of speakers described rescues, vet care and rehoming services and asked the board to work with staff to find a solution rather than force closure.

Public commenters described Bunny Lou’s role in spay/neuter, rehabilitation and placements and said the rescue reduces pressure on municipal animal shelters. Mary Ellen Whitehouse, who identified her address and said she has operated for 26 years and served Augusta County for about seven and a half years, told the board that a composting-related complaint had been investigated and “thoroughly fully addressed and rectified.” Supporters said Bunny Lou is a nonprofit public-service operation — not a commercial business — and emphasized volunteer labor, regional veterinary relationships, and education of adopters.

Attorney and advocate Jonathan Kettler — speaking during public comment — summarized statutory and zoning arguments on Bunny Lou’s behalf.…