How far would you go for an animal you had just met? Canadian traveler Francis Metivier expected to use his time in Indonesia to surf,surf and surf. But after he found a small white and cute rabbit alone in an extremely small hanging cage, the waves had to wait.
He spent two weeks taking care of the rabbit, to the point where he gave it a name. This name was Asa, and in the end, he decided to take him to his hometown in Canada. The importance of this rescue was that it really visibilized why rabbits need space, enrichment, veterinary care and long-term responsibility.
A cage he could not ignore
So what are the details of this story? Metivier found Asa in a remote village in northern Indonesia. According to reports, the rabbit was bought to entertain the owner’s kids, but it was later completely forgotten…
That is why Metivier asked to take him, but the woman asked for money in exchange “I don’t like buying animals because I don’t believe they are property,” he told The Dodo. Still, he was really worried about Asa’s safety and because of that, he felt he had no choice, and finally opened the rabbit’s cage.
Two weeks became a rescue
Metivier’s fundraiser points out that he had been travelling for around four months through Indonesia when he started taking care of Asa. After two weeks together, returning the rabbit to its previous or different reality was not an option anymore.
Imagine after travelling more than 3,600 kilometers by land across Indonesia before completing the journey to Canada and leaving him behind.
A long route to freedom
Their journey was a really big adventure. Their route included a short boat trip, an hour-long drive and a 12-hour ferry crossing. Metivier also booked a hotel room so Asa could be freer and move his body,not only in the room but also in the garden before going on the boat and later on the plane.
Why those first hops mattered
The RSPCA describes rabbits as intelligent, active, social and curious animals that of course need exercise, exploration and social interaction. If they are in isolated or restrictive environments they can feel bored or frustrated. And after seeing Asa inside a cage, on this occasion Metivier said that watching Asa express himself freely was a really big privilege.
Crossing borders takes planning
Wanting to save an animal’s life is not so easy. When we talk about animal international animal rescue you need to think that a lot of paperwork is involved. For you to have an idea for example, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency advises travelers to check carefully all the requirements, because animals can be delayed or refused entry when rules are not followed.
Hope became his name
The touching part of this story is that Metivier chose Asa because he said the word means hope in Indonesian.
His fundraiser showed how much money he spent on Asa’s health and care. These expenses included veterinary care, neutering, food, the construction of his permanent home and all the travel expenses. Asa’s campaign had received approx CAD 3,287 from 74 donations as of August 24, 2026. His story really captured people’s attention.
The work after the rescue
Asa now lives with Metivier in Canada. They are definitely best friends and traveling companions.
The rescue did not really end when Asa was taken out of the cage. That was just the beginning, since they continued traveling until the moment when Metiviet decided to take care of Asa permanently and take him to his home in Canada. For sure, that ensured that Asa will never have to be inside a cage ever again.
