Love Buns of the Month

He’s tiny but fierce, a little brown bundle of sweetness and spunk. Territorial and a tad temperamental, Socks likes his personal space, and he doesn’t take kindly to having his nap interrupted. But there’s one way to bring out Socks’ softer side. You won’t have to look far to find it!

Quiet, fuzzy, and unassuming, Daisy is Socks’ life-long companion, and Socks is never happier than when Daisy is by his side. Friend, snuggle buddy, protector—Daisy fills many roles, most importantly, making Socks feel secure.

Win one’s confidence, and the other will soon follow suit. Watching the two together is a joy! Daisy will come forward to examine visitors, while Socks watches cautiously. Once he’s convinced there is no threat, he’ll stick his own nose out for pets. Soon the two will be lying side by side, Daisy gently grooming Socks, both completely relaxed.

Socks and Daisy came to us when their owners developed severe allergies. They’re used to being part of a family, and we don’t think they’d have much trouble adjusting to yours. Bring these bunny buddies into your home! Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org.

 

Bunderful site

Why should humans have all the fun? While we spend our time tweeting and blogging on Twitter and Facebook, our rabbits can enjoy a social network of their very own. It’s called Bunspace! Stop by www.bunspace.com and have a look around.

It takes just a few minutes to sign up and create a profile for your rabbit, and then the fun begins. Meet bunny buddies from around the world and send them messages or virtual gifts, like carrot cake or willow balls. Post a blog and let everyone know what your bunny’s been up to. Enter your rabbit in a photo contest. Exchange knowledge and encouragement on one of the many forums. Participate in exciting events like the virtual Easter egg hunt. Find a reputable veterinarian, peruse a selection of rabbit-themed books, or shop for tasty goodies like apple twigs and dried papaya at the Bunspace store.

Best of all, Bunspace is absolutely free! (You may choose to upgrade your rabbit’s membership to VIB -Very Important Bunny- status for about $3 a month.) Rescue groups and shelters are encouraged to join and showcase their adoptable rabbits. Our own GLRS belongs to Bunspace, as do several of our former residents, like Frederic, Gizmo, and Ella. This site is a gem. Don’t miss it!

 

R & R, bunny style

Planning on traveling over the summer? Worried about who will watch your bunkids while you’re off visiting Aunt Lucille or lounging on the beach? Let GLRS set your mind at ease with our new boarding facilities!

Your bunny will enjoy a comfortable, spacious indoor pen, with plenty of room to run and play. We’ll provide nutritious meals, including unlimited hay and daily greens. Our experienced, caring staff will care for your pet with attention and love.

Bring one rabbit, or bring the whole warren. We have room for multiple bunnies. Does your bun have special needs? Ask how we can accommodate them.

Short and long term arrangements are available. Rates start at just $15 per day. Contact us at info@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Waxing poetic

It’s tempting to think that keeping our rabbits inside our homes is a modern convention. After all, the term “house rabbit” wasn’t even coined until 1985, by the founder of, what else, the House Rabbit Society. It’s true that throughout history, backyards and barnyards lined with hutches were typical rabbit lodgings. But one homeowner in 18th century England might surprise you!

William Cowper was not your ordinary fellow. Born in 1731, he studied to become a lawyer, but severe depression overtook him, and he retreated to the countryside where he found his niche writing poetry and hymns. He became quite well-known, but still plagued with melancholy, chose to spend his days in solitude.

But William was about to discover the best antidepressant known to man. A neighbor’s children grew tired of caring for their three young hares, so the neighbor brought them to William. A progressive thinker, William couldn’t bring himself to lock these vibrant animals in a cage. So he rearranged his own house to accommodate them!

Puss, Tiney, and Bess, as he called them, had a life that would be the envy of modern house rabbits everywhere. Each had his own sleeping quarters, and the trio spent their days frolicking on the Persian rug and playing out in the garden with William. Puss would tug on William’s pants when he wanted to go outside, and in the evenings, would curl up contentedly in his lap. All three would delight William with binkies so impressive that he even wrote a poem about them!

William lavished them with love and attention, and they thrived. And so did he. He told friends that when he was in the depths of his deepest depression, he’d seek out his rabbits, and the cloud would lift. Such good care they received that they had lifespans that would be impressive even today. Tiney lived to be nine, and Puss, almost twelve.

Those of us blessed with house rabbits are well aware of the joys they bring. Companionship, comfort, comic relief…there’s just nothing else that compares. William knew that too. In one of his most famous poems, he writes:

“For I have pledged all that is human in me to protect

thine unsuspecting gratitude and love.

If I survive thee, I will dig thy grave;

and when I place thee in it, sighing say,

I knew at least one hare that had a friend.”

Get your motor running

Ever dream of throwing caution to the wind and going for a spin with a shiny new Harley? We’ve got just the ticket! Stylish, powerful, and oh so attractive, our Harley’s sure to spark the fuse of the adventurer inside you. And ours has an extra feature you won’t find at your local dealership. Instead of wheels, our sleek machine comes with four paws and a tail!

Harley is May’s Bun of the Month, and he’s special in more ways than one. His personality lights up the room! Harley can’t get enough affection, which is a good thing, because once you feel his thick velvety fur, you won’t ever want to stop petting him. He’s a unique combination of a harlequin and a rex, giving him a luscious soft coat with distinctive coloring.

Just like any older model, Harley’s got some maintenance issues. He’s prone to sore hocks, so his feet need to be monitored carefully and treated as needed. He also has a recurring respiratory condition, which can be managed with antibiotics.  Because of this, he’ll need a home with experienced bunny parents, who have the time and resources to keep him in top shape.

Don’t let this deal of a lifetime pass you by! There’s nothing like the thrill of the open road, unless it’s coming home to find an appealing, interesting, ever-so-affectionate companion waiting for your return. Could Harley be what you need to kick your spring into overdrive? Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org.

White chocolate

By now the candy in your Easter basket is probably long gone, but don’t despair! Fans of M&Ms can still get their fix at our sanctuary, with the tag team of Marty and Martha, April’s Buns of the Month.

Our own sweet treats are a pair of comedic clowns, guaranteed to bring sunshine to your day. They’re practically identical, both with gorgeous snow white fur and ruby red eyes. Marty and Martha are shy at first, but just bring out a treat and let the fun begin! They’ll practically trample each other trying to snag the first bite.

These two are a joy to watch. They’ll run around exploring together, then take a break to groom each other. They’re both fairly large bunnies, with a sizable pen, but their favorite place to relax is squished together inside their burrow box, with just two fluffy white tails sticking out.

Would you like to begin and end every day with a smile? Bring Marty and Martha into your home, and we promise they’ll add sweetness to your life. And unlike with candy, you won’t feel guilty indulging! Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Easter basket

Sometimes we all need a little TLC. Everyday life can be demanding and scary, especially if you’re dealing with a stressful situation like an illness or disability. There are times when you just need someone, or somebun, to hug. Well, what’s more comforting than snuggling with a warm, fuzzy rabbit?

That’s where Bunnies in Baskets Visiting Therapy Rabbits comes in. BIB bunnies travel to nursing homes, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers around the country, spreading support and cheer. Their task can be as simple as sitting in an elderly person’s lap, offering comfort, or as complex as assisting a traumatized child as he goes through therapy.

Many of these rabbits know a thing or two about needing a helping hand. They’ve been rescued from less than ideal situations themselves, and carefully nursed back to health by BIB volunteers. The most social and affectionate among them are then chosen to be BIB ambassadors.

BIB promotes what we’ve known all along—interacting with a rabbit provides emotional and physical health benefits, eases anxiety, facilitates communication, and brings pure joy! BIB is always looking for new volunteers. If you’ve got an outgoing rabbit in your life, you can participate in this valuable work. Contact BIB at bunniesinbaskets.org.

His and herbs

Spring is on its way! The first crocuses and hellebores are poking up from the ground that just last week was covered in a blanket of snow. Pretty soon it will be time to dust off our grills and lawn furniture. The gardeners among us are already eagerly planning our garden plots. If we’re rabbit owners, we’ll likely have some vegetables on our list.

But there’s no need to wait until the last frost to bring the fresh taste of spring to your bunny’s food bowl. Many tasty herbs can easily be grown indoors, in a relatively small space. If you’ve got a sunny kitchen windowsill and the most rudimentary of green thumbs, you can be harvesting your bounty before your neighbors even crack open their seed catalogs!

So what should you plant? Parsley is one of the most basic bunny herbs, and has the added benefit of calming upset tummies. Parsley and cilantro, another rabbit favorite, practically grow themselves. Simply clip off what you need with kitchen shears and the plants will regenerate new growth that lasts for months.

Basil is another winner, with a rich smell and taste that rabbits can’t resist. Mint comes in a variety of flavors, each more irresistible than the last. For a more unusual offering, try watercress. It’s got a spicy, peppery taste that buns seem to appreciate. If you’ve got room for a slightly larger pot, you can’t go wrong with arugula. This pungent lettuce-like herb is a big hit with rabbits.

All of these herbs are healthy for humans as well, so save a bit for your own cooking. Homegrown greens taste fresher than store-bought, cost a lot less, and aren’t coated with harmful pesticides. And it’s fun to plant seeds and watch them sprout! Experience the satisfaction of bringing something to life, and make your bunnies blissfully happy in the process.

Dust bunny

Warmer weather is finally here! Time to get out the brooms and buckets and start some spring cleaning. And you couldn’t make your house truly sparkle without a good dust mop. We’ve got the perfect one right here at our sanctuary. Ours even has legs!

Cross a lionhead with a jersey wooly, and you get something extraordinary. March’s Bun of the Month, Charlie, is a diminutive ball of fluff with tiny ears and hair out to there! He may look like a walking duster, but he’s brimming with charisma. Charlie is as sweet natured as he is soft.

Charlie spent most of his life in a small cage, so he appreciates his freedom. In fact, you may never see Charlie sitting still. He loves to investigate every nook and cranny of his environment, delighting in the sheer joy of stretching his legs. This intrepid explorer will need a fully bunny-proofed home where he’s given plenty of space to romp.

While you’re freshening up your house this spring, why not clear out a room or two for Charlie? He’ll be happy to help you get everything shipshape. Spring cleaning has never looked more appealing! Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Love connection

Charlie

Valentine’s Day may be over, but it’s not too late to find the love of your life. February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, and we can’t think of a better way to warm up your winter than to take home one of our sweeties! Our barns are bursting with buns of every shape and size, with temperaments to suit any personality.

Dutchess

Like ‘em spunky? Look no further than Charlie! A vibrant lionhead with more energy than a barrel of bees, Charlie is sure to bring sunshine to your day.

If calm and cuddly’s more your style, give Dutchess a try. She’s a tiny bunny with a huge heart, who’s happiest when she’s curled up by your side.

For pure comic relief, you can’t go wrong with the tag team of Marty and Martha. Bring out the parsley and watch them climb all over each other in hopes of snagging the first bite!

Marty and Martha

It’s been said that a house isn’t truly a home without a rabbit in it, and we tend to agree. Whether you’re looking for fun, friendship, or affection, you’ll find your heart’s desire at our sanctuary.

Take the chill off of these long winter nights with a bunny buddy by your side! Check out our adoptables on Petfinder.com, then contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org to arrange a visit to meet your favorite. New love could be just a click away!