Baby boom!

Visitors to Binkyville may think they’re seeing double…or triple…or how about octuple?! Eight fuzzy little kits have come to us all the way from Madison, Wisconsin. All with silky white fur and shiny red eyes, these sunshiny siblings are practically identical, and completely irresistible!

Their story began a few months ago, when a well-meaning but misguided woman gave each of her grandchildren a rabbit to play with. She didn’t get the rabbits spayed or neutered, so the inevitable happened. When the babies started arriving, all the rabbits were relegated to a backyard hutch, where they were largely ignored.

By the time the Humane Society got involved, there were forty-one rabbits in desperate need of shelter. We agreed to take eight of the new babies, once they were old enough to travel. And here they are! We’ve got an even mix of four girls and four boys.

These babies were hand fed by their foster parent, since their mother was unable to provide enough milk. As a result, they are used to being touched and handled by people. They are very playful and will climb all over visitors! We are so happy to have the opportunity to care for them and watch them grow.

(We’re facing a hefty bill to have them all spayed and neutered, so if you have a spare dollar or two, we’d appreciate the help! You can donate here. Thank you!)

Sweet as syrup

Ahh, the sweet days of summer! And as far as rabbits go, they don’t come much sweeter than Maple. She’s our July Bun of the Month, and she’s a real lover. Maple melts into a pool of syrup when she’s petted. Her fur is so thick and buttery soft that you’re likely to melt too!

Maple had a rough beginning, as do so many of the buns who come through our doors. She was found wandering in a Milford neighborhood. Maple was dirty, thin, and her beautiful fur was badly matted. She had obviously been on her own for quite some time. We brought her in and cleaned her up, and discovered a gorgeous rabbit underneath the filth.

It didn’t take long for Maple to learn to appreciate the comforts of the indoors! She loves softness, preferring to lounge on blankets or towels. As for the newspaper that lines her pen, she finds that perfect for shredding! Maple’s favorite activity is curling up beside whoever has a free hand to pet her. She especially enjoys nose rubs.

Maple’s fur still has a tendency to mat, and like many buns she’s not fond of being brushed, so it would be helpful for her adoptive parents to have some experience with rabbit maintenance. Regular, gentle grooming is essential to keep Maple looking and feeling her best.

Could Maple be your summertime sweetie? Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Old MacDonald

What’s a barnyard without a rooster? Two are even better! Meet our newest residents, a pair of young feathered friends who found themselves in need of a safe haven when their owner decided to have them slaughtered.

These are no ordinary birds. They’re gorgeous, with lustrous purple feathers and imposing red combs. And they’re exceptionally curious. We staked them out a nesting area in the pig barn, where they wasted no time exploring their new home and getting acquainted with their roommates, the pot-bellied pigs.

Sociable, confident, and low-maintenance, these boys are a perfect fit for our sanctuary. Roosters are known for their impressive voices, and these two can crow with the best of them! Stop by for a visit and let them serenade you. These oh-so-handsome boys have yet to be named, so if you have any suggestions, drop us a note in the comments section.

 

Pop star

June’s Adorable Adoptable was born at the sanctuary, along with his brother Snap and sister Crackle. Can you guess his name? His mother is one of the Cereal City Survivors, a group of rabbits rescued from a horrible situation in Battle Creek.

Pop takes after his mother looks-wise, which means he is a real beauty! He’s got gorgeous soft brown fur, with a lovely golden tummy and “necklace”. Pop looks as if he’s been caught in a beam of sunlight!

Pop is a shy boy, preferring to lurk inside his hidey box when visitors draw near, but his shyness conceals a sweet and playful side. He can shred newspaper like nobody’s business! Pop is just getting used to being petted, but with a little gentle encouragement, will gather up his courage and take a treat from your hand.

A true “work in progress”, Pop is developing into a wonderful rabbit.  A quiet home, a little patience and a lot of love are what this precious boy needs most. Could you give Pop the sunshiny future he deserves? Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.com.

Matchmaker, matchmaker

It’s a magical moment, when one of our rabbits finally finds his or her forever home. It’s what we work towards every day. There’s more than random chance that brings together a bunny with the perfect new parents. Meet Carol, the woman behind so many of our bunny love connections. As Adoption Coordinator, it’s her mission to make sure our rabbits find the best possible new homes.

GLRS Adoption Coordinator Carol holding Sherlock.

Suppose you decide you’d like to adopt one of our rabbits. Carol will ask you to fill out an adoption form. She’ll ask you questions about your household, how many children you have, what kind of schedule you keep. She’ll direct you to Petfinder.com, where you can take a look at our available adoptees and decide which ones you’d like to meet.

Next, Carol will invite you to the sanctuary where you can spend time with each of your potential new housemates. This face-to-face meeting is vitally important. It gives Carol a chance to evaluate how you and the rabbit interact, and how comfortable the rabbit seems. Carol makes sure that shyer bunnies go to quieter homes, and that families with children adopt a bunny that likes to be handled.

Once you and your rabbit have chosen each other, Carol will collect the adoption fee, and provide you with a “Bunny Goodies” bag, loaded with a wealth of information about rabbit care. She’ll give you her cell phone number, so you can reach her at any time with questions or concerns. She’ll follow up with a phone call within the next couple of days to see how everyone is adjusting.

It can be hard to say goodbye to the bunnies! Carol sends them off with a snuggle and a kiss. She knows that she’s done everything she can to ensure that the rabbits in her charge have a good life, and that their forever home will be a happy one.

 

Love in Extra-large

Who could resist May’s Adorable Adoptable? Bullwinkle is a big boy with an even bigger heart! Bullwinkle loves people and will follow visitors around the barn, hoping for a little attention. Stroke his silky white fur and watch him melt with happiness. Bullwinkle wants nothing more than a snuggle and a snack!

Would you believe this big beautiful boy was almost bird food? He was dumped at an Indiana bird sanctuary along with his friend Rocky, where they were scheduled to be dinner for the raptors. But a good-hearted volunteer stepped in and swooped them away to safety.

We’re so happy that she did! Bullwinkle is a joy to have around. He’s a New Zealand, and they’re known for their laid-back personalities and gentle good nature. Bullwinkle will blend easily into a family with children or even other pets. All he asks for is plenty of running room and a daily dose of affection.

Could Bullwinkle be the bun for you? Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org!

 

All Hail the Queen!

Bessie’s come a long way since we first profiled her back in 2011! At that time she was one of our long-term residents, a cantankerous ball of fur with a “my way or the highway” attitude. “Queenie”, as she was affectionately known, presided over the barns from her perch atop an old banana box. Bessie didn’t miss a trick, and wasn’t shy about making her disapproval known!

Who would have guessed that Bessie’s curmudgeonly manner masked a sweet side? Adoptive mom Patti, that’s who! Patti discovered Bessie on Petfinder, and fell instantly in love. Patti suspected that a little time and patience would work wonders, and she was right. Bessie quickly discovered the joy of being part of a family, and queen of her very own castle!

Today Bessie happily oversees five family members—her adoring human dad and mom, and siblings Omega the chinchilla, Tonks the kitten, and Butterscotch, the baby rabbit. There’s a definite pecking order, says Patti, and Bessie is firmly ensconced at the top. She rules with a velvet paw, even snuggling with her subjects!

Bessie is the awesomest rabbit ever, says her mom. She’s happy, content, and comfortable. What a difference a little love can make! Could there be a “Queenie” in your future? Check out our adoptables on Petfinder!

Ears looking at you!

Talk about a bunny brouhaha! A six inch bronze rabbit is creating quite an uproar in South Africa. The little lagomorph was found nestled inside Nelson Mandela’s ear!

When sculptors Andre Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren designed their 29.5 foot sculpture of Mandela, South Africa’s first black president and anti-apartheid crusader, they included a tiny rabbit. The rabbit represents the haste with which the sculptors had to work to meet their deadline, and serves as their signature.

Not everyone is enamored with the bunny. South African officials declared the rabbit to be “disrespectful” and “belittling”. They want the rabbit removed. Others find the bronze bunny charming, and representative of Mandela’s playful side.

Prinsloo and van Vuuren have apologized for causing offense, but haven’t indicated whether they will remove the rabbit. And so the controversy continues…

No fooling!

This boy’s no April Fool! He’s Gordon, this month’s Adorable Adoptable. A beautiful black and white Dutch, Gordon came to us from a shelter in Frankenmuth that didn’t have the facilities to care for rabbits.

The first thing you will notice about Gordon is his energy! He’s a joyful bunny, brimming with love and enthusiasm! One of his favorite activities is climbing on top of his burrow box and launching himself into the air. He’ll run circles around visitors, begging for attention and for his favorite treat, blackberries.

Gordon suffered from misdiagnosed head tilt before he came to us, and although he is healthy now, his neck will probably never straighten up. To avoid additional stress to his immune system, vets have recommended that he not undergo neuter surgery. This means Gordon should remain a single bunny.

If you are looking for unconditional love, look no further than Gordon! He will thrive on the attention of a loving family, and a house full of room for him to run and explore. Would you like to meet this delightful dynamo? Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org.

 

Green Thumper

Spring is just around the corner! The days are getting longer, the snow is melting off our lawns, and the nurseries are opening for business. The gardeners among us are dusting off their tools and planning their plots.

But there’s a dark side to the season. Just ask anyone who’s ever spent their day lovingly tending to tulips and morning glories, only to wake up the next morning to a garden full of stubs! House rabbits aren’t the only ones who’ll eat us out of house and home. Their wild bunny brethren are just as voracious.

So what’s a gardener to do, aside from encircling the yard with barbed wire? It may be hard to believe, but there ARE plants that rabbits won’t touch. Many of them are also deer-resistant.

Do you have a sunny space to fill? Consider daffodils. They range from brilliant yellow to light peach and even pink, and buns won’t touch them. Or try daylilies, which come in every color known to man, including bright red and rich purple.

For shaded areas, plant lambs’ ear. Just like the name implies, the leaves are covered with a downy fuzz. Astilbe provides crisp foliage with tall feathery blossoms. Can’t wait for the spring thaw? Hellebore will push its way up through snow and ice.

If you’re a vegetable gardener, you’ll have the best luck with asparagus, potatoes, or tomatoes. No list is fool proof, so be prepared to experiment. Providing a snack for the wildlife now and then is par for the course. Dig in and enjoy!