Scarlet fever

When it comes to romance, there are always those girls who play hard to get. And then there are those girls who wear their hearts on their sleeves. Miss Scarlet wasn’t the kind of bun to keep her feelings hidden. She knew a good thing when she saw him, and she wasn’t about to let true love pass her by!

The object of Miss Scarlet’s affection? A chubby New Zealand named Carrots, who up until that point had been distinctly unlucky in love. His mom, Kim, a sanctuary volunteer, had introduced him to all sorts of eligible mates. But the flames of passion never ignited. As charming and handsome as he was, Carrots seemed destined for lifelong bachelordom.

And then fate stepped in. Kim brought Carrots over to Miss Scarlet’s pen, and fireworks exploded! One sniff was all it took for Miss Scarlet to decide Carrots was the bun she’d been dreaming of. So determined was she to stake her claim that she practically climbed up the sides of her pen. Carrots was her Prince Charming, and Miss Scarlet wanted everyone to know it.

Who can argue with the desires of the heart? Carrots and Miss Scarlet went home together that day, and settled into a life of domestic bliss. Their days start with a leisurely breakfast in the living room, followed by frolicking on their screened-in porch playground. Then it’s time for a cozy afternoon of snuggles and snoozing.

Carrots is a quiet, laid back bunny, says Kim, and appreciates Miss Scarlet’s enthusiasm and adventurous spirit. A fearless, fabulous female taking charge of her own future—that’s somebun we can all look up to!

Beam me up, Scotty

The idea of a magic wand with miraculous healing powers sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, doesn’t it? But such a thing does exist, and it’s not just the product of a screenwriter’s overactive imagination. This amazing high-tech device is called a cold laser, and veterinarians across the country are utilizing it for a remarkable array of conditions.

Cold laser therapy works wonders to reduce pain and inflammation, so it’s often used on arthritic rabbits or buns with spondylosis, a degenerative spinal condition. Laser soothes injured and inflamed tissues, and can drastically reduce healing time in post-operative patients. Rabbits with open wounds or infections of the skin or ears can also benefit from laser treatments.

What should you expect during a laser session? Your rabbit will rest comfortably on a soft mat or towel, while a technician moves the laser wand back and forth along her body, concentrating on the areas that need the most attention. The procedure is completely pain-free. The only thing your rabbit will notice is a comforting warmth, and a gentle beep from the machine.

Treatments can be as brief as four minutes, or as long as twenty, depending on the severity of the issue. The effects of laser therapy are cumulative, meaning that the more sessions your rabbit has now, the fewer he will need in the future. Most rabbits start with twice weekly treatments, and transition to once per week, once per month, and eventually every six to eight weeks.

We’ve seen the restorative powers of cold laser therapy firsthand, and can attest to its effectiveness. Prices vary widely, depending on your location; treatments can range from $20 each to up to $50, with discounted package rates usually available. The earlier your rabbit begins treatment, the better the results, so talk with your vet about this exceptional new technology today.

Hoppy tales to you

Who doesn’t love a happy ending? At our sanctuary, we’ve been blessed to be a part of many of them. In the 20 years since we were founded, we’ve helped to give hundreds of animals a bright future. Rabbits, pigs, cats, chickens, even a duck—each one has a story, and they’re stories worth sharing.

So to commemorate our 20th anniversary, we’ve compiled our favorite happy endings into one special book, Where the Pigs Hop and the Bunnies Snore. This delightful collection features some of our most memorable residents.

Enjoy the adventures of Wilbur, the traveling pig. Marvel at Gabe, the reformed bad bun. Learn about Leroy, the duck with an identity crisis. And so many more! We’ve packed a lot of joy inside these pages, and we’d love to share that joy with you.

Where the Pigs Hop is available to order online, or you can purchase a copy at our Open House on October 24th. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the sanctuary, to help us provide happy endings for the next 20 years.

Lelo the lion-hearted

Talk about mistaken identity! August’s Bun of the Month came to us when his family developed allergies. They handed their little boy over to us, and we promised to take good care of him. We took him in for an exam and neuter, but the vet had a surprise for us. Our newest arrival was all girl! “Leo” checked into the clinic, “Lelo” checked out.

A sweet confection of a rabbit, with heavenly soft caramel and whipped cream fur, Lelo is impossible to resist. One look in her big honey-brown eyes and you’ll want to scoop her up in your arms and cover her with kisses. And that’s okay with Lelo! She’s as affectionate as she is adorable, and loves to be snuggled and petted. Lelo is the perfect choice for families who prefer a “hands-on” bunny.

Lelo’s got a touch of mountain goat running through her blood. She likes to climb, the higher, the better! Her favorite hangout spot is on top of her burrow box, where she can see all the action going on around her, or curl up for an afternoon snooze. She’s also fond of turning her hay pile into a cozy hideaway, munching away as she relaxes.

This little girl hasn’t been at the sanctuary long, and with her combination of looks and lovability, it’s hard to imagine she’ll be sticking around long either. Don’t miss out on your chance to bring Lelo into your family! Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Say AHHHHH!

There’s nothing like a good massage! A relaxing rubdown can ease the stresses of everyday life, soothe tense muscles, improve circulation to tired limbs, and allow us to sleep like babies. But these benefits aren’t just for humans. Our rabbits enjoy the royal treatment just as much as we do. In the case of rabbits with stasis and disabilities, massage can be a lifesaver.

Unlike with humans, you don’t need a heated table or special oils to massage your rabbit. All it takes to send him into bunny bliss is a pair of hands and a gentle touch. You can lift him onto a table if that’s easier for you, putting down a towel for traction, but many people prefer to simply sit beside their rabbit on the floor where he’s most comfortable.

Start with soft strokes to his head and nose. As he relaxes, move your fingers down and rub them in slow circles around his jawline. Your rabbit spends a lot of time eating and those muscles can get tight. Gently pluck at the fur on his face and neck. This simulates the way it feels when rabbits groom each other. Now carefully massage the base of each ear. This is like heaven on earth for most buns!

Run your fingertips along either side of the spine, pressing very gently between each rib bone. Then cup your hand around your bunny’s rump, and softly squeeze. If you’ve got a gassy bun, he will appreciate a VERY gentle tummy rub. Finish up by running your hands down your rabbit’s entire body, from nose to tail. Always let your rabbit tell you when it’s time for the massage to be over. If he seems restless, or tries to hop away, that’s your clue to call it quits for the day.

What an easy way to enhance your bunny’s well-being and strengthen the human/rabbit bond! The next time you sit down to watch your favorite episode of Downton Abbey or The Simpsons, rather than sinking into the sofa all by yourself with only a bag of chips for company, curl up beside your bunny instead! Turning TV time into massage time is healthier for both of you, and so much more satisfying.

For love or bunny

Sarah MacRonald had it all—a high-powered banking job, successful husband, three beautiful children, a lovely house in the English countryside. But as many of us can attest, life isn’t truly complete without a rabbit to love. Once Sarah discovered the wonderful world of house bunnies, she was hooked. And she couldn’t stop with just one. Sarah brought eight rabbits into her home, and found  joy caring for them.

But there was a fly in the ointment. One day her husband, who’d been less than enthusiastic about her new-found passion, decided he wanted a divorce. He was tired of playing second fiddle to a bunch of overgrown rodents, he said. If Sarah wanted to run a personal zoo, she could bloody well do it on her own. “You won’t be able to survive without me,” he warned as he left. “You’ll never make it.”

Sarah’s husband clearly underestimated her ingenuity, and her resolve. Faced with the need for extra income, Sarah decided to follow her heart and do what appealed to her most, caring for rabbits. She quit her day job and founded Celebunnies, a one-of-a-kind “Bunny Bed and Breakfast”. Sarah transformed her spacious home and gardens into a bunny paradise, with extra large enclosed runs, climbing toys, and private sleeping quarters.

Celebunnies is an all-inclusive resort, providing three kinds of fresh hay for guests’ dining pleasure, along with homegrown greens and herbs. Residents enjoy daily grooming and regular nail trims. Nervous bunny parents can go online and watch their pets on a live webcam, installed in each run. And rest-and-relaxation often leads to romance! Many of Sarah’s patrons arrive single, and go home with a friend, thanks to Celebunnies’ free bonding service.

Sarah designed Celebunnies as “Disneyland for bunnies”, a place where rabbits can run and play and enjoy being rabbits. And what a success! Celebunnies is thriving, surpassing all of Sarah’s expectations. Her personal rabbit family has grown to eleven, and she’s not ruling out more adoptions. As for her now ex-husband’s dire prediction of failure? Sarah doesn’t look back. Her motto: “If anyone tells me it’s me or the bunnies, the bunnies win every time!”

Litter lesson

One of the first questions we hear when telling folks about house rabbits is, “Don’t they poop all over the place?” People are surprised to hear that rabbits can be litter trained. All it takes is a little time and patience. Rabbits are creatures of habit, and once they’ve established a routine, they tend to stick with it.

The key is to start small. Limit your bun’s free area, and provide plenty of places for her to “go”. There’s no such thing as too many boxes when you’re first starting out. Your bun will eventually choose her favorite spots, and then you can eliminate the extras. Invest in large, cat-size boxes. Corner triangular boxes are generally not big enough and if your bun is not comfortable, she won’t use them.

Watch her carefully, and when she appears to be in “pee position” (tail up, ears forward), move her gently into a box. Placing a urine-soaked paper towel in the litterbox can help guide her, as can topping the box off with hay. Many rabbits enjoy eating while taking care of business. When she goes, praise her effusively! You want litter training to be a positive experience.

As your rabbit’s habits improve, gradually expand her free space, always making sure she has plenty of bathroom options. And keep the boxes clean! She’ll be spending a lot of time in them. Many buns feel safest in their litter box, since it smells like them. Often they nap there. And since rabbits tend to taste-test everything around them, steer clear of regular kitty litter, which can be toxic to rabbits. Choose wood pellets, Carefresh, or Yesterday’s News.

Three men and a bunny

What do you get when you mix a houseful of men with one very pampered princess? Domestic bliss!

A big, beautiful red-eyed white, Jolie came to us all the way from Madison, Wisconsin, with seven of her look-alike siblings. But something about Jolie made her stand out from the rest. Once housemates Marc, Patrick, and Aaron met her, they decided she was the rabbit for them. They took her home and settled her into the lap of bunny luxury!

These are no ordinary digs. Jolie enjoys an entire room to herself, specially configured so there are lots of nooks and crannies to explore. She’s got a custom condo for sleeping, but spends much of her time in her “vacation home”, a fully carpeted critter castle. For her dining pleasure, Marc hand-crafted a hay trough that doubles as a plaything. When Jolie wants a snack, she can either flip it over with a paw, or climb inside and munch to her heart’s content.

Her new family didn’t want to miss a minute of the action, so they rigged up a bunny-cam, so they could check on her any time of the day or night. That’s how they discovered she likes middle-of-the-night forays onto the futon. She also loves to race around and around her room like a banshee. But it’s not all go go go for this girl. She’s happy just lying quietly at their feet, keeping them company while they work on the computer.

Jolie’s got Marc, Patrick, and Aaron wrapped around her paw, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. They even hand feed her hay, only the choicest strands, of course! It may not be what you’d expect to see, three burly men sharing their home with a seven pound ball of fur, but for this happy family, it’s nothing short of perfect.

(Bonus footage of Jolie! https://youtu.be/J6SthsswavM)

Mama Mia!

Every day is Mother’s Day in Binkyville Barn! That’s where our newest resident, Mama, has taken up housekeeping, right next to her two adorable children, Sister and Brother. Her two biological children, that is.

Mama was found abandoned in the street, shortly after Easter, with a wounded back leg. Her rescuer, Christine, brought her inside, gave her something to eat and drink, and made her a cozy bed for the night. When Christine got up the next morning, she was startled to find three kits nestled in beside Mama!

A natural-born nurturer, Mama raised two healthy babies despite her injuries, but she wasn’t done yet. Christine, also a wildlife rehabilitator, had a newborn cottontail that someone had brought to her. The mortality rate for these infants is normally quite high, but Christine had an idea. She put the baby next to Mama, and waited to see what would happen.

Sure enough, Mama’s maternal instincts kicked in. She took on the care of that cottontail as if it was her own, nursing it, cleaning it, keeping it warm. The baby thrived, and soon became strong enough to return to the wild. When the next kit arrived, Mama took care of that one too. And the next, and the next. Mama had found her mission.

All told, Mama successfully raised dozens of baby cottontails, lavishing each one with the same love and attention she’d given to her own children. Now, newly retired, Mama is still the consummate caretaker. She spends her days watching over her fellow barn mates, showing us all the true meaning of a mother’s love!

Ferocious fur

Anyone who’s lived with a rabbit knows they shed constantly. Just one look at the furnace filter or vacuum cleaner bag and you’ll have an idea of just how much hair can come off of one deceptively diminutive bunny. Rabbits are fastidiously clean little creatures, and groom themselves constantly. All that loose fur could easily wind up in their stomachs and cause serious medical problems. That’s why it’s important for us to remove as much as possible for them.

Buns should be brushed at least once a week. Some rabbits actually like the process. For the majority of buns, however, weekly grooming sessions are a necessary evil, something to be endured, not enjoyed. You can help make the job less annoying for your bunny with the help of a few good tools.

One of the least invasive ways to remove your rabbit’s loose fur is to use a “Love Glove”. Just as the name implies, you simply slide the glove over your hand, fasten it with velcro, then stroke your bunny from head to tail. Special nubs on the palm and fingers of the glove capture and hold loose fur. Wear one on each hand and give your bun a soothing massage. He’ll never know he’s being groomed!

For those delicate areas where precision is required, try a flea comb. These are especially good to use on the face and ears. If your rabbit has weepy eyes, a flea comb can gently separate the clumps of wet fur and allow the skin beneath to dry. It’s also a good choice for the underside of the tail to remove stray soft pellets that can stick to your bun’s behind.

Heavy-duty sheds may require heavy-duty equipment, like the Furminator. Many rabbit owners swear by this contraption. It powers through the toughest mats and removes handfuls of hair with every stroke. The Furminator is not for the budget-conscious, although it will last a lifetime.

Sometimes simplest is best, however. You might find that plucking the loose tufts out by hand is the easiest way to clean up your raggedy rabbit. Whatever method you choose, always end the grooming session by dampening your hands and running them down the length of your bun. This picks up any stray loose hairs and acts as a signal to your bun that the ordeal is over!