1943 – July 12th, 2024. We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Sandi Ackerman, a seminal figure in the House Rabbit movement. Sandi was 81 years old and spent more than 35 years tirelessly saving animals and advocating for their well-being.
Sandi had many adventures before focusing on rabbit rescue. In 1974 she lived in Johannesburg, South Africa, for six months. Here is a photo of her and the rest of the “Hellman’s Heavies” skydivers.
There is a three-page pdf that shares her background in skydiving and travel. (Please let us know if you have a copy to share.)
Sandi began her groundbreaking rescue work with the founding of Best Little Rabbit, Rodent & Ferret House, one of the first rabbit rescue organizations and supply stores in the United States, which later became Rabbit Meadows. Her unwavering mission to end live animal sales in pet stores—particularly at Petco—and to promote spaying and neutering was instrumental in improving the lives of countless animals.
In 2019, Sandi moved to Kitsap County with plans to establish a small sanctuary where she could continue her work. Her vision included a Colony Rabbit Rescue and House Rabbit Education Workshops, offering a space to save more rabbits and teach others how to care for them. Her legacy is one of compassion, education, and tireless advocacy for rabbits and other animals.
Marinell Harriman summed up Sandi well, “Sandi was a true champion for bunnies everywhere. She stood up for their well being with every ounce of energy she had for many years. Whatever situation she encountered, her animals came first.”
As shared by Jessica Mango, who volunteered alongside Sandi for nearly a decade:
“It is with a heavy heart that I want to let everyone know that the founder of Rabbit Meadows, Sandi Ackerman, passed away on Friday, July 12th, 2024. Sandi was 81 years old.
Sandi spent over 35 years saving animals. Sandi started one of the first rabbit rescue organizations in the US and remained devoted to animals to the very end.
Sandi loved her animal friends and worked tirelessly to prevent their suffering and cruelty.
I hope that in Sandi’s memory, you all will continue her mission of helping by spaying/neutering your animals, donating/volunteering your time to the rescues out there and treating all animals with love and respect.
On a personal note, I had volunteered with Sandi for almost 10 years. I never once saw her put her own needs first. I saw her bring back animals on the brink of death and turn them into loving pets willing to trust again. I never once saw her take a day off or go on vacation. Her life was devoted to animals, and I’m sure she lost some friends in the process. At the end of her life, I hope she felt good about all her success stories and all the lives (animal and human) whose lives she impacted.”
Sandi’s legacy lives on through Rabbit Meadows and the many people she inspired. May we honor her memory by continuing her mission—spaying and neutering our animals, supporting rescues, and treating all creatures with the love and respect she so passionately believed they deserved.
When it came to animal care Sandi tolerated no nonsense. One of the last times we saw her before she retired she told us about the one time she took a vacation 20+ years ago and left her animals under the care of someone. Unfortunately that person didn’t come close to meeting her standards of care so she hadn’t taken a vacation since. I’m happy to see that so many other people could see beyond her sometimes hard exterior and admire all the work she did.
I’m so sorry to hear this. Living in North Seattle, we were blessed to have Sandi as our bunny guru for several decades. When our first bunny died violently, probably of a heart attack, Sandi drove down to comfort me. 7 of our 9 bunnies were adopted from Rabbit Meadows, and all boarded there when we went on vacation. We had a flightless house-pigeon, and Sandi even cared for her while my husband and I were out of state for 8 months during my mother-in-law’s final illness.
We were sorry to see her leave Seattle, but glad for her, too. Running Rabbit Meadows, pretty much on her own, must have been incredibly stressful and tiring, despite being a labor of love.
Sandi’s tireless rescue work was often covered in the Seatttle press. Here are just a few pieces about her work.
People Tend to Buy Bunnies, Tire of Them, Set Them Loose, Officials Say April, 2004. Seattle Post Intelligencer.
Rabbit Rescuers Need You To Hop To It! February, 2006. Seattle Post Intelligencer.
Ferret castaways are latest fad-pet losers. Sep 17, 2000 Seattle Times.
Rabbit adoption center opens in Kenmore. January 3, 2014. Bothell Kenmore Reporter.
With high spay/neuter fees, bunnies in Seattle multiplying like rabbits. December 6th 2012. KOMO News.
