DETROIT -- Tough times are affecting some furry animals in Michigan.

The Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary houses roughly 550 rabbits that have been neglected, abused or abandoned and said it is in need of donations to care for the animals.

"Rabbit pellets cost more than what they did a few years ago," said sanctuary board president Tim Patino.

Patino said it costs about $300,000 a year to run the sanctuary, with most of the cost being covered by donations.

"It takes a passion and desire. We have those things but the money is something we're trying to always raise as well," Patino said.

Patino said the goal of the sanctuary is two-fold.

"We try to be a rescue for house rabbits to try and get them adopted to homes and build awareness of house rabbits and how wonderful they can be as pets," he said. "Secondly, we also serve as a sanctuary. We feel that a lot of rabbits who don't get adopted, instead of keeping them in an adoption pen or store, we build a sanctuary where they can live out their lives here and be catered to by our staff."

The sanctuary is partnered with PETCO to help facilitate the adoption of eligible rabbits.

"This place does not get government funding and even with five or six people working here every day, it's really hard to get everything done," said animal caregiver Joe Sacksteder.

When asked why helping the rabbits is important, Sacksteder said, "They're cute as can be and a lot of people think that rabbits don't have a lot of personality but after working here for a few months you get to know them not necessarily how they look but often by how they act."

Find out more, or donate, at www.RabbitSanctuary.org.