February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month! I have all kinds of rabbits at my house. I like to chase them when they come in my yard but Mom scolds me. She says the rabbits live here too and I need to leave them alone. I have to admit they are cute. Almost as cute as guinea pigs!
Maybe that's why so many rabbits wind up in shelters. They are cute and cuddly looking and people buy them on a whim, especially now - in the months before the Easter season. But these people may not know how to take care of a rabbit. And that can lead to problems like chewing. Now the people are tired of the rabbit and have dropped them off at shelters - or worse, just turned them loose thinking they will survive like wild rabbits.
This month I want to teach everyone about rabbits and help get some already rescued rabbits adopted.
Rabbits are smart and affectionate. Mom says they can even be trained to use a litter box like our cats. But just like puppies, they like to chew and that can be destructive. Mom says that just like new parents baby-proof their home or new puppy parents puppy-proof their home, new adoptive parents of a rabbit must be willing to rabbit-proof their home. Rabbits should also be spayed or neutered just like I was. There are too many rabbits in shelters already. We don't need more babies to add to the overpopulation problem.
Rabbits are not always good pets for children. Children often want to us up and carry us. I don't mind being carried. I'm old and tired. But most rabbits don't enjoy it. When a child realizes that their new pet doesn't want to play with them, they may not want to keep it. And then another rabbit gets dropped off at the local shelter.
Mom suggests that if you are considering adopting a rabbit, you should read about it first. The House Rabbit Society is a great place to find out about caring for a pet rabbit. After you get the facts, if you decide a rabbit is the right pet for you, please consider adoption first. Contact your local shelter or rescue group, Petfinder, or the House Rabbit Society to find rabbits waiting for homes in your area.
Showing posts with label Adopt a Rabbit Month. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adopt a Rabbit Month. Show all posts
Friday, February 1, 2013
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
House Rabbit Society focuses on "partner adoptions," urges people to consider adopting a buddy for their bunny."
House Rabbit Society (HRS), an international nonprofit animal rescue and education group,is celebrating February as "Adopt-a-Rescued-Rabbit Month."
Mary Cotter, Marketing/Education Director of the Richmond-based HRS says the organization will focus on partner adoptions during this special month: "Many people feel guilty leaving their companion rabbit home alone all day, when they are at work. Adopting a partner bunny is the perfect solution. It's not only good for your bunny; it's good for you!"
According to Cotter, two bunnies are not twice the work of one, as long as they are bonded. "They share living quarters, food and water bowls, and even a litterbox - so the cleanup is essentially the same. And the bunnies entertain one another, groom one another, and keep each other company when their humans are not at home."
"Introductions need to be done carefully," says Margo DeMello, President of HRS, who lives with a group of bonded rabbits herself. "Rabbits typically can be aggressive when first introduced, and injuries can occur if they are not properly supervised." She cautions that both rabbits must be spayed/neutered, not only to prevent breeding and health problems, but also so that their behavior toward one another is not determined by "raging hormones."
"Rabbits, like people, need time to work out their relationships," adds Cotter. "But a patient human caretaker will be well-rewarded: once they are bonded, there is just nothing more heartwarming than watching a bunny couple snuggle up to each other and kiss each other's faces."
HRS has chapters and representatives across the United States, as well as overseas, and most chapters offer bonded pairs for adoption, as well as single rabbits who can be bonded to a rabbit-in-residence. Many people new to rabbits prefer to start out with a single rabbit, and adopt a partner bunny at a later time.
"Adopters are welcome to contact any of our chapters at any time, for help in adopting or bonding rabbits," says DeMello. "And there are several internet groups where bonding advice from HRS volunteers is also available, including a group dedicated to this topic only: groups.yahoo.com/group/bunbond/."
The mission of HRS is twofold: to educate the public about these often-misunderstood companion animals, and to help rescue and "re-home" domestic rabbits. HRS advocates spaying and neutering rabbits - both for health reasons and also to help put an end to the animal overpopulation problem.
For more information on Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, log onto House Rabbit Society. To find out more about adopting a rabbit, contact your local shelter or your your nearest HRS chapter. For more information on House Rabbit Society's rescue and education work in your area, please call House Rabbit Society at (510) 970-7575.
Mary Cotter, Marketing/Education Director of the Richmond-based HRS says the organization will focus on partner adoptions during this special month: "Many people feel guilty leaving their companion rabbit home alone all day, when they are at work. Adopting a partner bunny is the perfect solution. It's not only good for your bunny; it's good for you!"
According to Cotter, two bunnies are not twice the work of one, as long as they are bonded. "They share living quarters, food and water bowls, and even a litterbox - so the cleanup is essentially the same. And the bunnies entertain one another, groom one another, and keep each other company when their humans are not at home."
"Introductions need to be done carefully," says Margo DeMello, President of HRS, who lives with a group of bonded rabbits herself. "Rabbits typically can be aggressive when first introduced, and injuries can occur if they are not properly supervised." She cautions that both rabbits must be spayed/neutered, not only to prevent breeding and health problems, but also so that their behavior toward one another is not determined by "raging hormones."
"Rabbits, like people, need time to work out their relationships," adds Cotter. "But a patient human caretaker will be well-rewarded: once they are bonded, there is just nothing more heartwarming than watching a bunny couple snuggle up to each other and kiss each other's faces."
HRS has chapters and representatives across the United States, as well as overseas, and most chapters offer bonded pairs for adoption, as well as single rabbits who can be bonded to a rabbit-in-residence. Many people new to rabbits prefer to start out with a single rabbit, and adopt a partner bunny at a later time.
"Adopters are welcome to contact any of our chapters at any time, for help in adopting or bonding rabbits," says DeMello. "And there are several internet groups where bonding advice from HRS volunteers is also available, including a group dedicated to this topic only: groups.yahoo.com/group/bunbond/."
The mission of HRS is twofold: to educate the public about these often-misunderstood companion animals, and to help rescue and "re-home" domestic rabbits. HRS advocates spaying and neutering rabbits - both for health reasons and also to help put an end to the animal overpopulation problem.
For more information on Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, log onto House Rabbit Society. To find out more about adopting a rabbit, contact your local shelter or your your nearest HRS chapter. For more information on House Rabbit Society's rescue and education work in your area, please call House Rabbit Society at (510) 970-7575.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
February is Adopt a Rabbit Month
You know I'm on a campaign with my Mom this year to help as many homeless animals - 1000 is my goal - to find the same type of happy home as I have. And while I do spend most of my time promoting dog and cat adoption, there are those Moms and Dads who just aren't cat or dog people. Hard to imagine, I know, but it's true. But I have a solution for them. How about a rabbit?
February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month. The House Rabbit Society and the ASPCA are encouraging rabbit adoption with the theme for this year's celebration - "Warm Your Heart, Warm Your Home - Adopt a Rescued Rabbit."
Marinell Harriman, founder and president of HRS, explains that the timing of this educational effort couldn't be better. "As we move into the months preceding Easter, it is critical that we get the word out. There are thousands of rabbits in shelters around the country waiting for homes; many of these rabbits were babies purchased as a whim during last year's Easter season by families who didn't know how to care for and interact with them. Now the kids have grown tired of them, and parents have dropped them off at already-crowded shelters."
HRS's mission is twofold - to educate the public about these often-misunderstood companion animals, and to help rescue and "re-home" domestic rabbits. However, Ms. Harriman cautions, rabbits are not for everyone, and therefore House Rabbit Society volunteers work hard to educate the public about what rabbits are, and what they are not.
I don't know much about pet rabbits. All the rabbits at my house are not pets. I see them hopping around in the field sometimes and I think it might be great fun to chase them but Mom won't let me. But Ms. Harriman knows all about rabbits. She told me that rabbits can be wonderful indoor companions, get along with many other companion animals (including cats and dogs), are intelligent, affectionate and inquisitive, and can readily be trained to use a litter box. That's pretty smart. Even I don't know how to use the litter box! However, they can also be destructive. The ideal "rabbit person", in addition to being gentle, patient and eager to get to know a rabbit on his or her terms, must be willing to rabbit-proof their home to prevent destructive chewing. (See Mom - I'm not the only one who chews on things they're not supposed to).
Like the ASPCA, HRS says rabbits can and should be spayed and neutered - both for health reasons and also to help put an end to the animal overpopulation problem.
HRS also tries to teach people that rabbits are not always a good pet, especially for children. Even baby bunnies tend to be willful and independent, and do not enjoy being picked up and carried. HRS also cautions against buying or adopting a rabbit as a gift, or on impulse, as the novelty of having a new pet usually wears off. When a family realizes how much day-to-day work is involved, the rabbit is, unfortunately, often turned loose or surrendered to a shelter.
I have a bunny right here in Arkansas that needs a loving family. Her name is Maggie Mae and she is beautiful! And she sure would love to have a home of her very own. She lives in Little Rock, AR with a foster mom right now but waits for the day, just like I did in the shelter, when her Mom and/or Dad will come to take her home to stay. If you decide a rabbit is the right addition to your household, make adoption your first option. If you would like to adopt Maggie Mae, contact the Arkansas Pet Rabbit Network. Or contact your nearest House Rabbit Society Chapter or local shelter or rescue group to meet the rabbits who are waiting for homes in your area. Remember - tell the Bob sent you. And let me know when you bring your new bunny friend home so I can see how I'm doing towards my goal.
Also, this month, in honor of Adopt a Rabbit Month, for each purchase from the Travels with Bob shop (http://www.cafepress.com/travelwithbob), not only will Mom make a donation to the Petfinder Foundation, she will also make a donation to the House Rabbit Society.
February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month. The House Rabbit Society and the ASPCA are encouraging rabbit adoption with the theme for this year's celebration - "Warm Your Heart, Warm Your Home - Adopt a Rescued Rabbit."
Marinell Harriman, founder and president of HRS, explains that the timing of this educational effort couldn't be better. "As we move into the months preceding Easter, it is critical that we get the word out. There are thousands of rabbits in shelters around the country waiting for homes; many of these rabbits were babies purchased as a whim during last year's Easter season by families who didn't know how to care for and interact with them. Now the kids have grown tired of them, and parents have dropped them off at already-crowded shelters."
HRS's mission is twofold - to educate the public about these often-misunderstood companion animals, and to help rescue and "re-home" domestic rabbits. However, Ms. Harriman cautions, rabbits are not for everyone, and therefore House Rabbit Society volunteers work hard to educate the public about what rabbits are, and what they are not.
I don't know much about pet rabbits. All the rabbits at my house are not pets. I see them hopping around in the field sometimes and I think it might be great fun to chase them but Mom won't let me. But Ms. Harriman knows all about rabbits. She told me that rabbits can be wonderful indoor companions, get along with many other companion animals (including cats and dogs), are intelligent, affectionate and inquisitive, and can readily be trained to use a litter box. That's pretty smart. Even I don't know how to use the litter box! However, they can also be destructive. The ideal "rabbit person", in addition to being gentle, patient and eager to get to know a rabbit on his or her terms, must be willing to rabbit-proof their home to prevent destructive chewing. (See Mom - I'm not the only one who chews on things they're not supposed to).
Like the ASPCA, HRS says rabbits can and should be spayed and neutered - both for health reasons and also to help put an end to the animal overpopulation problem.
HRS also tries to teach people that rabbits are not always a good pet, especially for children. Even baby bunnies tend to be willful and independent, and do not enjoy being picked up and carried. HRS also cautions against buying or adopting a rabbit as a gift, or on impulse, as the novelty of having a new pet usually wears off. When a family realizes how much day-to-day work is involved, the rabbit is, unfortunately, often turned loose or surrendered to a shelter.
I have a bunny right here in Arkansas that needs a loving family. Her name is Maggie Mae and she is beautiful! And she sure would love to have a home of her very own. She lives in Little Rock, AR with a foster mom right now but waits for the day, just like I did in the shelter, when her Mom and/or Dad will come to take her home to stay. If you decide a rabbit is the right addition to your household, make adoption your first option. If you would like to adopt Maggie Mae, contact the Arkansas Pet Rabbit Network. Or contact your nearest House Rabbit Society Chapter or local shelter or rescue group to meet the rabbits who are waiting for homes in your area. Remember - tell the Bob sent you. And let me know when you bring your new bunny friend home so I can see how I'm doing towards my goal.Also, this month, in honor of Adopt a Rabbit Month, for each purchase from the Travels with Bob shop (http://www.cafepress.com/travelwithbob), not only will Mom make a donation to the Petfinder Foundation, she will also make a donation to the House Rabbit Society.
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