Mr. McGregor’s Garden

We’re excited to tell you about our latest sanctuary venture, the brainchild of quick-thinking employees Tommy and Nick. They’ve spearheaded an effort to make profitable use of the old Reno yard, by turning it into an organic vegetable garden.

The whole project is a recycler’s dream. “There’s just such great resources here,” says Tommy, pointing to the vacant land, tons of manure and compost, and a dedicated labor force of employees and volunteers.

Tommy and his hardworking crew created raised beds from scratch. “It’s kind of like lasagna gardening,” Tommy explains. “We mulch heavy, and just layer on top with compost.” The result is remarkably rich, fertile soil with the potential for a huge crop come harvest time.

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, peas, radishes, carrots, beans, squash, cucumbers—the planting list goes on and on. “They’re all really cool heirloom varieties,” says Tommy. That means purple tomatoes, white peppers, and carrots in all colors of the rainbow!

The vegetables will be sold at the “Growing Hope” Ypsilanti Farmer’s Market this summer. Nothing will go to waste. What doesn’t sell will be chopped up to supplement the pigs’ and rabbits’ dinners. That, in turn, creates more compost, and the cycle continues….!

Spic and span

Gayle and Thompson

We couldn’t do what we do at the sanctuary without the efforts of our dedicated volunteers. Like Gayle, who’s been with us for over two years. Nearly every Saturday, you’ll find Gayle in the Adoption Barn or Binkyville, working hard to keep the bunnies’ homes clean and comfortable.

“The sanctuary is where I go to relax,” says Gayle. “There’s something very cathartic about sweeping and cleaning.” Gayle scrubs the bunnies’ pens from top to bottom, leaving them sparkling. She changes their newspaper, refills water bowls and hay racks, and makes sure the bunnies have fresh litter. As she works, she talks gently to the rabbits, letting them know they are safe and loved.

Gayle is always thinking of more ways to help the bunnies. She collects newspapers and empty boxes, and salvages leftover fruit and veggies from work events. She’s willing to lend a hand wherever she is needed. “Last week I gave a tour to people who came all the way from Michigan City, Indiana,” she says. “I love talking about the sanctuary and the buns.”

All the sanctuary rabbits are precious to Gayle, although she has a special place in her heart for Thompson. It’s bittersweet when the bunnies finally leave for their forever homes. Gayle saves their pictures. “That way, I won’t forget that they hopped into my life at least for a little while.”

Time for some TLC!

Is your rabbit having a bad “hare” day? Does she have nine inch nails? Has it been a while since you’ve dared to inspect his dreaded nether regions?

Let us pamper your pet! Bring your bunny to the Bunny Boutique at the sanctuary on Saturday, May 5^th. We’re hosting a “Hare Affair” from 9:30 to 4 pm.

For just $15, your rabbit will enjoy a full spa treatment including nail clipping, brushing, massage and scent gland cleaning. Your spiffy, rejuvenated bunny will sit for a glamour photo shot (which will be e-mailed to you after the event), and snack on an organic bunny treat.

Can’t make it to the sanctuary, or don’t have a bunny of your own? Ask about our sponsor package. Choose a lucky GLRS resident to receive some extra TLC!

Each grooming session will last approximately 15 minutes. Appointments are recommended, but hop-ins are welcome on a first-come, first served basis. To sign up, or for further information, contact Debbie at debbie@rabbitsanctuary.org.

A pig’s tale

Today’s blog is a cautionary tale. You may have heard the story on Fox 2 news, about six-year-old Christian and his pot-bellied pig, Chumlee. Christian’s mom, Michelle, bought Chumlee for her son as a Christmas gift from a Warren pet store. After a neighbor complained, however, the family learned that it’s not legal to keep pot-bellied pigs in their city. They had to return the pig, and little Christian was heartbroken.

There are many lessons to be learned from this story. Possibly the most important—do your research! Michelle didn’t think to check with the city about local zoning ordinances. Had she done so, she would have learned that remarkably, while it’s legal in Warren and many other cities to sell pigs and other animals that are considered livestock, it’s not always legal to keep them as pets.

And this raises the question of whether or not a pot-bellied pig was the right choice of house pet for a child in the first place. Pigs are an enormous responsibility, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there about their needs. It’s true that pigs are extremely intelligent animals, who can learn to do tricks and are easy to housebreak. They are clean, affectionate, and enjoy being around people.

But having said that, pigs aren’t solitary creatures. They do best in pairs or as part of a group. A pig kept indoors without companions of his own kind will soon grow bored and destructive. Natural pig behavior is to dig and root, and if no dirt or grass is available, they’ll rip up the carpet. And all pigs, regardless of how tiny they are when babies, grow up to be quite large. The average pot-bellied pig will top out at 200 pounds!

Did you know that a well-cared-for pig can live 15 to 20 years? That’s a major commitment. If you’ve thought it over carefully, and still think a pig is right for you, please consider our last lesson—ADOPT, don’t buy! Best Friends Animal Sanctuary estimates that there could be as many as 300,000 unwanted and discarded pigs languishing in shelters, waiting for their forever home.  You may discover that it’s just as satisfying to sponsor one of these deserving animals, and a lot less work.

Have more questions about pot-bellied pigs? We’ve got ten of our own here at GLRS, and we’ll be happy to help you with anything you’d like to know. Contact us at info@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Go green

Did you know the sanctuary has a recycling program? We accept ink cartridges and cell phones, as well as old laptops, iPods, and PDAs. Drop your items off at the sanctuary, or ask us for a handy mailing label and mail them yourself, postage paid! Do you know of any businesses who would be willing to help? Please spread the word!

That’s not the only thing we recycle. Whole Foods in Ann Arbor generously donates veggies for the bunnies, free of charge! We just need volunteers who are willing to go pick them up.  Could you help us once, twice, or every week? We’re looking for up to eight people to help us feed our hungry buns.

You can also help by recycling your old newspapers. We use them to line our bunnies’ pens, and you can imagine how many we go through in a day. We can use your old sheets and towels, to help us make cozy nests for our residents. Do you have access to sturdy, bunny-sized cardboard boxes? We’ll make them into bunny hideaways.

Think before you throw away! If you have any questions about what we can and can’t accept, please contact us at info@rabbitsanctuary.org. The bunnies thank you!

Wise guy?

You’ve all heard of the wisdom of Solomon. Let me introduce you to our own resident sage. Solomon came to us from a hoarding situation less than five miles away from the sanctuary. He was surviving with a small colony of rabbits in the hoarder’s back yard, with only sporadic food and water.

We rescued Solomon and his buddies, and he immediately proved himself to be the charmer of the group! He is extremely friendly and loves to be petted. He will dance around your legs and periscope, begging for attention. Solomon is very curious. He wants to know everything that is going on!

This sweet little boy has a beautiful shiny black coat with a white nose, and helicopter ears. He is a medium-sized bunny. Solomon loves to run around and do binkies, so he will need a home with plenty of room for him to play.

Would you like to meet Solomon? Contact Carol at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Picture perfect

Smile and say cheese! It’s time for our third annual Easter photo shoot.  Come out to the sanctuary on Saturday, March 17^th and have your picture taken with some of our adorable rabbit residents.

The fun starts at 10 AM and runs until 5. Each guest will take home a CD with all of their pictures on it, to use however they like. Make personalized cards, shirts, photo mugs…the possibilities are endless.

Each photo shoot lasts approximately fifteen minutes. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are strongly encouraged. Wear your Easter finest, or come in a sweatshirt and jeans! The bunnies don’t care. They just appreciate your support.

We’ll also offer hourly tours of the sanctuary for all participants. If you’ve ordered from our Easter chocolate fundraiser, you can pick up your goodies at the farmhouse.

Photo sessions are $20 each, and all proceeds go directly to the rabbits. To make an appointment, or for more information, please contact Debbie at debbie@rabbitsanctuary.org, or call 734-455-2847. Hope to see you there!

I’ll take chocolate!

Would you buy a real live reindeer for Christmas? Then why would you buy a real rabbit for Easter? Sure, they’re fuzzy and adorable, but they’re also a 10 to 12 year commitment.

Here’s a better idea—just say “I’ll take chocolate!” GLRS is partnering with the Chocolate Drop Shop in Westland to offer you a delicious selection of Easter goodies, and the best part? Every purchase benefits the sanctuary!

The Chocolate Drop Shop has been in business for 36 years, so they know something about tasty treats! Choose from white, milk, or dark selections. We’ve got something for every taste and every budget. View our choices here.

You can pay with cash, check, or credit card, but all orders must be paid for by Friday, March 2^nd. Orders will be available for pick up on March 17th (the day of our Easter photo shoot-watch for details in an upcoming blog). We will ship to you for a small extra fee.

Questions? Please contact Debbie at  debbie@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Bowling for Bunnies

It’s time to go on STRIKE! Dust off your bowling ball and meet us out at Plaza Lanes in Plymouth for an afternoon of fun to benefit the rabbits of GLRS!

The excitement takes place on Saturday, February 25^th. Registration starts at 12:30, and bowling begins at 1:00. You’ll get two games of bowling, shoes, pizza, and pop. We’ll also be holding a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Admission is just $15 for adults, $11 for children.

Plaza Lanes is located at 42001 Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth. View a map here.

Please contact debbie@rabbitsanctuary.org or phone 734-455-2847 for further information or to sign up!

P.S. Turn your old gold into cash for the rabbits! Bring your broken or unwanted jewelry to Bowling for Bunnies. Start the year off shining!

Sweet Sunday

Thanks to the wonders of Photoshop, no rabbits consumed any chocolate for this photo...the same cannot be said for the photographer.

Chocoholics rejoice! Bring your sweetheart and join us at the sanctuary as we celebrate Valentine’s Day with our annual Chocolate Drop on Sunday, February 12^th !

Indulge your sweet tooth with our two decadent chocolate fountains. Choose from creamy milk chocolate, or a rich vegan dark chocolate.  We’ll offer a variety of tasty treats for dipping, including fruit, graham crackers, marshmallows, pretzels and rice krispie treats.

While you snack, enjoy the smooth vocal stylings of performer Marsha Gayle. Your kids will keep busy at their own craft table, where they can construct handmade valentines. Of course, we’ll be offering tours of the sanctuary, so you can meet our rabbit residents and their piggy pals!

The Chocolate Drop runs from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults, and $6 for kids under 12. Parking is free. See you there!