Be a produce pro

Fresh greens are an important part of your rabbit’s daily diet. And what bunny doesn’t love a slice of banana now and then? But if you’ve spent any time in the produce section of your local grocery store lately, you’ll see it can add up to quite an investment. Here’s some tips and tricks to make your purchases last longer.

Rabbits love lettuces—romaine, green leaf, endive–and greens, like dandelion, collard, and kale. Remove any rubber bands or twist ties, rinse well and pat the leaves dry between paper towels. Store in an airtight container. They should last a full week this way.

Broccoli and cabbage should be kept dry, in an open container in the crisper drawer. Store carrots in cold water. Cutting the tops off will keep them fresh longer. Wrap the tops in a damp paper towel.

Fresh fruits are delicate, and require extra care. Don’t wash grapes, cherries, or berries before storing! This will cause them to get mushy and moldy. Try to keep them in a single layer in an airtight container, and rinse them right before serving.

Bananas will ripen more slowly if separated from the bunch. You can store cut banana in a plastic bag in the fridge. This will ward off fruit flies. Simply trim off the darkened outer edge before serving.

Did you know you can help the GLRS buns just by buying your produce at Kroger? Read about the Kroger community rewards program here!

Thinking outside the box

Size does matter! When it comes to your bunny’s living space, that is. Most commercial rabbit cages are far too small, and don’t provide a comfortable environment for your four footed friend. What should you look for when choosing a pen for your rabbit?

Pens at the sanctuary.

First of all, avoid anything with wire flooring. It’s hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and hard on bunny’s delicate paws at all times. If you must use a unit with wire floors, line the bottom with cardboard or seagrass mats. Provide your bunny with a soft foam mat or old blanket to curl up on.

Next, think about space. A rabbit’s pen should be at least four times as large as he is when he’s fully stretched out. One simple solution is to use portable fencing, or X-pens. These can be set up in any room of your house. For something more permanent, consider a two-story bunny “condo”, like those sold at Leith Petwerks.

Example of a custom pen in a home.

At the sanctuary, we build our own enclosures using metal grating from office supply stores, connected with zip ties. But in your home, you may find that you don’t need a cage at all. Designate one room as “rabbit habitat”, and fully bunny-proof it.  Then let your bunny have free reign of the space. Use a baby gate in the doorway so she can look out and see the action.

Check out more housing hints at myhouserabbit.com or rabbit.org. You are only limited by your imagination!

Casa Conejo

Feeling like a fiesta? Help us usher in the beautiful spring season at our Cinco de Mayo celebration! Join us on Thursday, May 5th, from 5PM to 8PM for a fun-filled evening with the conejos (rabbits), and of course the pigs and cats too!

You deserve a break from the weekly rat race, and what’s more refreshing than an evening spent with friends, both two and four-footed? Fill up at our vegetarian nacho and taco bar, unwind with a margarita, and say “¡Hola!” to a barn full of bunnies. 

There is absolutely no charge for this event, although donations are greatly appreciated. Please RSVP by May 1st to info@rabbitsanctuary.org. Need help finding us? Add a note to your RSVP and we will email directions. ¡Hasta pronto!

Smart shopping

Do you use a Kroger card? Remember to re-enroll this April to make sure the buns get everything that’s coming to them! Don’t have one? Read on:

Have you heard? You can help save rabbits while you save money, just by shopping at Kroger! The next time you’re in your local store, stop by the customer service desk and get your free Kroger Plus card. Then go online and sign up for the Kroger Community Rewards program. Swipe your card every time you shop, and Kroger will donate a percentage of your total grocery tab to the sanctuary! Last year the buns earned almost $3000!

Talk about a win-win situation! Take advantage of Kroger’s fantastic weekly sales to stretch your grocery budget. Enjoy their wide selection of fresh produce, including organics. Choose from a vast array of deli meats and cheeses, or treat yourself to a goodie from the bakery department. Shop with confidence, knowing that you’re getting some of the best prices around, and that every dollar you spend benefits the rabbits.

Here’s how:

• Register your Kroger Plus card online at krogercommunityrewards.com.

• Click Sign In/Register toward the top right side of the page.

• Click “Sign up today!” if you don’t already have an online account with Kroger (or sign in if you do).

• Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering your zip code and clicking “Find,” then select your favorite store from the list. Then enter your email address, create a password, and agree to the terms and conditions.

• You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.

• When you receive the email, click on the link, then click on “My Account” when you get to the page. Use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

• Click on “Edit Kroger Community Rewards Information” at the bottom of the page and input your Kroger Plus card number. (Note: If it is a new card, it may take a few days before you can successfully enter it.)

• Enter NPO number, 83844, or “Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary.” Then select the organization from the list and click “save changes.”

• To verify you are enrolled correctly, make sure the organization’s name is on the bottom of your information page.

That’s all there is to it! Remember to swipe your card every time you shop at Kroger. The rabbits (and pigs, and cats) thank you!

 

Spring cleaning

Spring is here! It’s time to throw open our windows and breathe in the fresh air! It’s also time to tackle that grimy kitchen tile, drive out those dust bunnies from under the sofa, and air out the bed linens. Most of us would agree it’s worth the effort. We just feel better in a clean home. So do our rabbits!

While you’re caught up in a cleaning frenzy, block out a chunk of time to revitalize your bunny’s digs too. Is he in a cage or Xpen? Empty it out completely, and scrub the entire thing with a mixture of dish soap and warm water. It may be easier to choose a sunny day and do this outside with the help of a hose. Rinse well, and allow to dry thoroughly.

Then gather up your rabbit’s litter boxes. Dump them out completely, and spray them with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. If there’s a lot of buildup, they may need to soak for a few minutes and then scrubbed with a brush. It’s not necessary to rinse, just wipe up the solution with paper towels or rags and let dry.

Collect all of your bun’s food dishes, water bottles, and nonporous toys, and give them a swish in the sink with hot soapy water. Even if you’ve rinsed these regularly while refilling them, you’ll be surprised at how much dust and grime builds up over time. If you use a water bottle, be sure to rinse it several times before refilling, and don’t forget to flush the spout.

Do you normally just top off the hay basket/manger/rack each day? Now would be a good time to empty it out fully, give it a wipe to remove the accumulated crushed hay bits, and treat your rabbit to a refill of all fresh stuff. (To make this extra exciting, sprinkle the new supply with some dried herbs or rose petals!)

Finally, swap out all blankies, fleece, and cuddle towels for clean ones. Pillows, stuffie toys, and foam pads can be tossed in the dryer for 30 minutes on high. Evaluate any cardboard boxes you’ve been using—have they seen better days? Now’s the perfect opportunity to switch them out for new.

Now you’re ready for the fun part! Put everything back together, and let your bunny go to town. He’ll be eager to see what you’ve been doing in his space all morning, and it’s great entertainment to watch him explore. And you may want to take a picture. As any bun parent knows, that pen is only going to stay neat and tidy for, say, the next five minutes!

Calling all bunny whisperers

Rabbits come to our sanctuary with an assortment of physical issues. Some are underweight, others have untreated wounds, a few are infested with fleas. Most need to be spayed or neutered. We give every rabbit a medical checkup, and any necessary treatment. But there’s more to healing a rabbit than patching their broken bones and fattening them up.

Many rabbits who come to us are scared of people, have been neglected or mistreated and need extra TLC. That’s why we’re always looking for socializers, kind volunteers (like you!) who have a little time and love to spare. Socializers sit with our rabbits one-on-one, giving them the gift of undivided attention, and helping build trust between these gentle creatures and the big scary humans they’re afraid of.

The job requirements are simple. Pick a day and time that is most convenient for you, then show up with a few sprigs of parsley in hand. Dress in your most bunny-friendly clothes–there’s a good possibility you’ll get hay, urine, fur or little gnaw holes all over them!

Take a seat beside your chosen rabbit and start a conversation. Tell her about your day, discuss your grocery list, expound on your philosophies of life, or sing the theme song from “The Facts of Life”. It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Using a soft, cheerful bunny voice helps your new friend relax.

It’s a slow process, just 15-20 minutes every week, but eventually your rabbit will feel comfortable enough to approach and accept treats from you. You’ll know you’ve fully earned her trust when she allows you to touch her for the first time. There is nothing like that feeling!

A socialized rabbit is happier, less  stressed, and ultimately more adoptable. And socializing is as therapeutic for our volunteers as it is for our rabbits! After a long hectic day of demanding deadlines, gridlock traffic, and toilet training toddlers, there’s no better way to relax and unwind. What could be more calming than a quiet session of bunny therapy?

We’re always on the lookout for volunteers who have personalities well suited to socializing–calm, focused, exceptionally patient. Does this sound like you? Would you enjoy making a real difference in a rabbit’s life? Can you commit to least one hour a week? Drop our coordinator Karen a line at karen@rabbitsanctuary.org.

The doctor is in

We know bunnies are special in every way, and that includes their medical needs. Sooner or later, no matter how healthy your bunny, you’re going to need to take him in to see a vet, even if only for his once-a-year “Well Bunny” visit. How do you choose an experienced, knowledgeable veterinarian for your baby?

It’s important to realize that all animal doctors are not created equal. Rabbits are considered “exotic” pets, and not every veterinary school spends a lot of time on them. Finding a vet with appropriate training can be tricky. Fortunately we have an invaluable resource In the House Rabbit Society, which publishes a list of recommended veterinarians. Check this list first.

What if you find there is no one listed for your area? Google vets within a certain radius, or check Yelp. Read reviews carefully, even the “not recommended” ones. You’ll find a wealth of information. Start with the highest rated providers, and examine their websites. Do they make reference to treating exotics? Do they provide information about their doctors, including training and areas of expertise? Is there a link to a blog which can give you an idea of their treatment philosophies?

Now, start calling each clinic. Ask to speak to the vet. There are a few things he/she should know right off the bat–which antibiotics are lethal to rabbits (amoxicillin, lincomycin, clindamycin), how to prevent hairballs (provide 24-hour-a-day hay, exercise, and brush your pet), and whether or not to fast your rabbit the night before surgery (under NO circumstances!) And of course you will want to know how many rabbits the doctor sees and how many s/he has spayed or neutered.

You may want to set up a “getting to know you” appointment, where you can observe how the doctor interacts with your pet. Always trust your gut instincts! Your rabbit’s future health and happiness depends on your making a wise choice before an emergency arises.

Hippity hoppity

It’s that season again, time for baskets filled with jelly beans and Cadbury eggs…and what Easter basket would be complete without a chocolate rabbit? There’s no need to settle for a flimsy dollar store version, the kind only small children with underdeveloped taste buds enjoy. Think exotic! Think big!

Serious chocolate connoisseurs might consider investing in what’s billed as the “World’s Most Extravagant Easter Bunny”, available for $49,000. This luxurious lagomorph is hand carved from a solid block of organic Tanzanian chocolate, prized for its rich, earthy taste. Delicious, certainly, but why the enormous price tag? Take a closer look. The eggs around Bunny’s feet are coated with pure gold leaf. His eyes? Almost four carats worth of dazzling diamonds!

But impressive doesn’t always mean expensive. Imagine a 12 and a half foot chocolate rabbit weighing almost three tons! You might consider that a museum piece. But this rabbit wasn’t created to grace a display case, or even to be sold to a fabulously wealthy Saudi Arabian sheik. No, this gargantuan goodie was built simply to provide joy, and a tasty treat, to more than 250 impoverished South African children.

It took four sculptors a week to craft the giant rabbit, which made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Then kids from local orphanages and slums were brought to view and then devour the bunny.

If you’re not looking to feed the neighborhood, and you aren’t willing to remortgage your house, you might want to settle for something a little more down-to-earth. Now you can get your chocolate fix, and help some real-life rescued rabbits at the same time! You won’t even have to share with your mate. Jardi milk chocolate rabbits are only sold in “bonded pairs”!

The best part? For each $22 set ordered, Jardi will make a donation to the Georgia House Rabbit Society. Along with your candy, you’ll receive a headshot and bio of an adoptable rabbit that benefits from your purchase. Shipping is free.

By leaps and bounds

2016 is a Leap Year! What better way to celebrate than by taking a cue from our bunny buddies? Teetering on the back of the sofa, scaling the side of the hay bin, or taking a flying leap onto the coffee table, rabbits have a way of defeating gravity at every turn. No mountain too high, no chasm too wide, no surface too scary—that’s the rabbit way.

Rabbits are consummate athletes, despite their deceptively diminutive appearance. Possessing incredible strength, speed, and awe-inspiring agility, your average rabbit can make Jackie Joyner-Kersee look like an amateur. Today’s rabbits aren’t limited to just racing around the back yard or doing binkies on the bed to prove their prowess. Now they’re finally getting the national and international recognition they deserve as bonafide track stars!

The sports of “rabbit agility” and “rabbit hopping” began in Canada and Sweden, respectively.
What are they, exactly? You may be familiar with dog agility, which is quite popular in the US. The rabbit version uses much of the same equipment, but scaled down to a more manageable size. Rabbits complete an obstacle course by leaping over fences of various heights, climbing up and down a carpeted ramp, slithering through a tunnel, balancing on a teeter totter, and testing their long jump skills.

Rabbit hopping is more for the jumping purist. A traditional hopping course eliminates most obstacles, leaving only fences. The goal is to measure a rabbit’s vertical jump height. Over the years, both sports have merged to the point where they are almost indistinguishable from each other. In the US, we generally refer to the sport strictly as agility, while in Canada, hopping is the preferred name.

Whatever you call it, rabbit jumping is fun! And impressive. The world record high jumper is Majesty of Night from Sweden, who leaped 39.37 inches. That’s well over three feet! (And you thought your two foot baby gate was sufficient to keep Bunny contained!) Long jump honors go to Yaboo, a Danish rabbit who sailed an amazing 118.11 inches, almost ten feet.

Interested in learning more? The Nelsey Family website can give you all kinds of information. They’ll guide you in selecting a suitable agility partner, go over training tips, introduce you to the necessary equipment, and supply you with videos so you can see the buns in action for yourself. Youtube is also a good place to view competitions from all over the world. Go on, take the leap!

A book for buns

February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month! Are you considering adding a rabbit to your family, and wondering what that will entail? Perhaps you’re a first time bunny owner who could use a little guidance. Or maybe you’re an experienced bunny parent looking to make the most of life with your lagomorph. A wonderful resource is the House Rabbit Handbook.

Marinell Harriman, the author, first introduced the phrase “house rabbit” in 1985, when she and her husband Bob founded the House Rabbit Society. Today the HRS has over 8000 members in seven countries, and is a respected resource for all things rabbit-related. Her book, now in its fifth edition, covers just about anything you’d ever want to know about keeping and caring for rabbits.

Learn how to “speak rabbit”, design a functional and attractive habitat, and litter train your bun. Get bonding tips and tricks, and learn how to deal with shy or aggressive rabbits. Read up on common medical conditions and their treatments, and check to see if any of your houseplants may be toxic to rabbits.

The House Rabbit Handbook offers practical advice that is useful to any rabbit parent. From your bun’s birth to his last days as an elderbun, you’ll find a wealth of information that can enhance your relationship with your bunnies. Those with special needs bunnies will find this book especially helpful.

Order the new 5^th edition from BinkyBunny.com, BusyBunny, or Leith Petworks. You can also buy directly from the publisher, Drollery Press.