No tricks, all treat

What’s Halloween without a pumpkin? How about one that’s soft, fuzzy, and grey? No, not that withered blob at the bottom of the grocery store produce bin! Our Pumpkin is a vibrant ball of furry freshness. And we’re pretty sure you won’t mind if she ends up a little spoiled.

Pumpkin’s story is a true tale of terror. Abandoned on the side of the road, she spent her days and nights outrunning a steady stream of traffic and outwitting a passel of predators. It wasn’t just her own life on the line. Pumpkin was about to give birth. Very soon she’d need to find a semi-safe place and get a nest ready.

Was it rabbit radar that led her to the backyard of a longtime sanctuary supporter? It’s hard to hide six bunny babies for long! The alert homeowner knew right away that this little family needed her help. One call and we were on our way.

Our little grey ghost has had enough of the scary life, and is ready for some TLC. She’s a bit on the shy side, and will thrive in a quiet home with no other animals. Give her plenty of time to adjust, and your patience will be rewarded with a curious, playful, affectionate companion. Did we mention she’s got the most other-worldly blue eyes? For the ultimate Halloween treat, contact Elizabeth at adoptions@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Save the date!

Please join us at the sanctuary on Sunday, October 16, for our 2016 Fall Celebration!  Take a tour of our property and hear the stories of who we are and how we came to be. Wander through our barns and meet our residents up close. You’ll discover for yourself how velvety soft bunnies’ ears feel, and how a simple tummy scratch can send a pig into porcine paradise!

Are you considering adopting, and wonder what’s involved in raising a rabbit? Our experienced volunteers will be happy to fill you in. Do you have questions about your own bun’s health or habits? Let us help you with the answers. If it’s happened to your rabbit, it no doubt has happened to one of ours!

We won’t send you away hungry! Help yourself to our all-you-can-eat vegetarian taco bar. Then shop for our own Farmer Dave’s produce, grown right here on our property. We’ve got some of the biggest pumpkins you’ll find, at bargain prices. Your kids will love picking out the best jack-o-lantern in the county.

You can even get a jump on your holiday shopping. We’ll have a wide selection of GLRS merchandise–T-shirts, jewelry, special edition books, and rabbit-themed home decor. What could be better than a brisk fall day in the country, surrounded by adorable animals and people who love them? Of course, admission is free. So bring the family! We’ll be “hoppy” to see you there!

Down the rabbit hole

A bunch of burrowing bunnies has rewritten British history! The industrious crew was hard at work excavating their warren in Cornwall, England, when they inadvertently unearthed an 8000-year-old treasure trove of Bronze Age artifacts.

Arrowheads and flint tools litter the ground outside the burrow, which archaeologists refer to as a “gold mine”. Experts believe the bunnies have stumbled upon an ancient burial ground and fort. “It’s a million-to-one chance rabbits should make such an astounding find,” said head archaeologist Dean Paton. 

Unlike their American brethren, who dig shallow holes to raise their young and escape the sweltering heat of summer, European rabbits are serious builders. Their warrens can be as much as nine feet deep and over 150 feet long. Imagine coming across that in your back yard!

The buns will not be harmed during the excavation, as the team plans to dig around them. “The bunnies are quite nosy and come out to see what we are doing,” says Paton. And their contribution will be forever memorialized. Plans are in the works for an “archaeobunnies” trail to introduce the public to the wonders of the site.

 

Fresh faced

Fashions change (parachute pants, anyone?), hairstyles change (how about that beehive?), cars change (remember your Pinto?). And while that avocado fridge may still keep food reasonably cold, there’s no denying it adds a questionable aesthetic to your otherwise modern kitchen. Everything, and everyone, could use a makeover after a decade or so of heavy use.

That’s why we’re proud to announce the launch of our new, improved website! The address is the same: www.rabbitsanctuary.org, but gone are the cluttered pages and hard-to-see print. Our webmaster has completely retooled our site to make it visually appealing and simple to navigate.

When you log onto our site, there’s no question about who we are and what we do. You’ll be greeted by beautiful full color pictures of some of our residents, along with photo links to some of our most helpful information. An additional menu bar along the top offers more choices. Find out who’s available for adoption, read a bit about our history (why do we have pigs?), learn how to properly care for a house rabbit, how to decide if a rabbit is right for you, get a heads up on upcoming events, or donate with one convenient keystroke.

You’ll also find links to our Facebook page with all the latest sanctuary news, our Twitter feed, and our weekly blog. Need to contact us? You’ll find links and info on the site. You’ll even find the bios of a few adoptable rabbits, and a convenient online form if you decide you want to bring a furry friend home!

Lady and the tramps

What could possibly be more spirited, more resourceful, more beguiling than a Disney heroine? Who can melt your heart faster than any lovable cocker spaniel or street smart mutt? Meet our very own Lady, and her irresistibly tiny tramps!

When we got the call about an abandoned rabbit in the Kalamazoo area who needed immediate placement, we assumed it would be a simple transfer. Traveling is stressful for rabbits under the best conditions. Most react by hunkering down in their carriers and pretending to be invisible. It’s generally a peaceful, quiet ride for the human transporters.

But Lady, a gorgeous black and white lop, wasn’t about to make things easy for her hapless rescuer. She snorted and squealed all the way across the state, thumping and rattling the door to her carrier. Lady made her displeasure crystal clear! She wanted out of that carrier and she wanted out NOW!

Turns out she had a pretty good reason. Just three hours after arriving to our sanctuary, Lady gave birth to a surprise litter of eight squirming kits! Sadly, one of the babies did not survive, but the other seven showed just as much spirit as their mom. In a matter of days they were wide-eyed and ready to explore the world around them.

The “Magnificent Seven” are a motley crew. Not one of them look alike! We’ve got black with white spots, brown with white feet, white with brown ears, and one who’s got to be the postman’s child, with gorgeous rusty fur. Some have inherited their mother’s helicopter ears, an uncommon quirk in which one ear stands straight up and the other flops down in true lop fashion.

Want a closer look? Stop by our Facebook page and get caught up on the latest. And please consider giving us a hand with what are sure to be some substantial spay/neuter costs. Donate here! Seven tiny thumps of thanks!

No bark, all bite

Anyone who’s found gnaw marks on the legs of their dining room table, or discovered a series of holes on the underside of their box spring, knows how powerful a tool bunny jaws can be. And while we might bemoan our rabbits’ tendency to chew on anything and everything, it’s important to realize how dental health affects your bunny in other ways.

Rabbits have 28 teeth, just like most humans, but they’re configured a little differently. The most visible teeth, the incisors, are the ones that can do the most damage. They’re designed to grab food and cut it, but they also grab and cut a lot of other things like telephone and electrical cords!

You’ll probably never see your rabbit’s back teeth, or molars. They do the hard work of grinding down the hay and veggies you feed your rabbit. In a healthy rabbit’s mouth, they also grind against each other, to maintain the proper length.

When the teeth don’t fit together properly, it’s called malocclusion. Malocclusion of the incisors can make it impossible for your bunny to eat. It’s relatively easy to examine the incisors by holding your rabbit gently and pulling her top lip back. Check to make sure the teeth are not loose or uneven, and that the gums are a healthy pink.

Molars can grow sharp spines, called spurs. You won’t be able to see this yourself, because those teeth are so far back. There are clues, however, that you can keep an eye out for. If your rabbit seems to be drooling, if there’s any swelling or pain at the jawline, or if you notice a sudden decrease in food intake, call your vet, who will look inside your bunny’s mouth with a tool called an otoscope.

Rabbit dentistry can fix a variety of tooth issues, but early detection is crucial. Have your rabbit’s mouth and teeth inspected by a bunny-savvy vet at least once a year, more often if she’s had problems in the past. And always provide your rabbit with safe objects to chew, like cardboard, untreated wood, and pinecones.

Farm fresh

This is the time of year that makes us glad to eat healthy! Can anything compare to the juicy goodness of a just-picked tomato, still warm from the sun? Or the sweet crunch of carrots that haven’t spent the last few weeks in a plastic bag? How about thick, crispy leaves of kale that haven’t been doused in a chemical bath? Supermarkets may advertise their “fresh” offerings, but nothing can beat the taste of produce straight from the field.

If you’re among the many of us who seek out farmers’ markets and roadside stands to stock our crisper drawers, have we got a tip for you! Sunday, August 21st, is the first GLRS Market Day of the season. Stop by from noon to 4PM and choose from a top-quality selection of veggies and greens grown right here on our farm. And you’ll have the added benefit of knowing your purchase benefits the sanctuary. All proceeds go directly toward caring for our residents.

The exact list of choices will vary depending on how well Mother Nature cooperates, but you can expect to see veggies like cabbage, beans, peas, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, radishes…all classics that work equally well in your rabbit’s salad bowl as in your own. Later in the season we’ll have squash, gourds, and some of the biggest pumpkins you’ve ever laid eyes on!

While you’re shopping, be sure to look for our agricultural mastermind, Farmer Dave. He’s the one who works tirelessly to create and maintain the many gardens that surround our barns. Thanks to Farmer Dave’s green thumb, GLRS can now grow the majority of our rabbits’ summer produce, and still have plenty left over to offer to you!

The Market is scheduled to open again on September 4th and 18th, and every Sunday in October. Hours are noon to four. If you’re feeling particularly generous, you might want to stop in the Adoption Barn and share a little nibble of your haul with your favorite rabbit!

Hopping the halls

We know, there’s just something disturbing about planning to hit the books on days we’d rather be hitting the beach! Who really looks forward to a shopping trip that results in a stack of protractors and number two pencils? But school stuff doesn’t have to be boring. Your kids might actually look forward to spending time at their desks (as might you!) with these nifty study supplies.

Get off to the “write” start with a bunny binky pencil case! Designed and handmade by an independent crafter, this adorable zippered pouch can double as a makeup case or cell phone holder.

Combat the clutter atop your desk with this one-of-a-kind bunny desk organizer and its companion bunny tape dispenser. No more fumbling in a drawer for the things you need! The organizer comes complete with scissors and paper clips.

What’s appealing about a PB&J in a paper sack? That same sandwich will taste like gourmet cuisine when packaged in a racing rabbit lunch tote. Available in your choice of color, this hand-embroidered thermal bag is made of rugged 600 denier polyester, so it can stand up to the most demanding cafeteria or break room conditions.

And since you’ll need something to stow in that sack, how about some made-for-humans bunny snacks? Annie’s Naturals is known for using natural, non-GMO, sustainable ingredients, many of which are organic, vegan, and gluten-free. Whether you like your munchies fruity, salty, or savory, Annie’s has something satisfying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bunny 911

It’s happened to all of us. We get so involved with whatever it is we’re doing on our computer that we lose track of everything else. In Carrie’s case, it was homework. “I had a tough assignment in Web Design”, she tells us. She figured it would take most of the afternoon, so she put some soup on the stove to heat and got down to business.

Carrie’s rabbits, Kenzie and Frederic, like to keep her company as she works. “My computer’s in the bedroom,” she says. “The buns snooze under the bed, and usually only stick their heads out when they think they’re going to get a treat.” She didn’t have anything for them, so she couldn’t figure out why they kept circling her legs and nose-bonking her.

Heroic buns Kenzie and Frederic

When their gentle attempts to get her attention failed, the two buns started thumping. Loudly! That’s when Carrie finally looked up from her work, and saw smoke billowing out from her kitchen. The pan of soup had boiled over and caught on fire!

Thanks to Fred and Ken’s early warning, Carrie was able to run in and douse the flames herself. The pan was ruined, but the stove and the kitchen were safe. “I have two battery-operated smoke detectors,” says Carrie, “but neither one went off until well after I’d already put out the fire.” She credits her four-legged alarm system for saving her home from disaster.

Fred and Ken were amply rewarded for their heroics, with thick slices of banana. And Carrie has learned her lesson about leaving things unattended on the stove. “The next time you think your rabbit is trying to tell you something, pay attention!” she advises. “It just might save your life!”

Pawsome

Rabbit owners everywhere have a lot of questions. Is it safe to take my bunny outside? What’s the best way to clip my rabbit’s nails? How can I bunny proof my home? Or for the potential bunny owner: how do I know if a rabbit is the right pet for me?

It’s important to stay informed. That’s why we’re happy to recommend www.myhouserabbit.com. This site is a virtual treasure trove of information about rabbit care, behavior, and health. It offers helpful, concise articles about all aspects of rabbit ownership, including an entire section devoted to first time bunny parents.

Browse through the Bunny Lover Gift Shop, or stay up to date with the latest news from the Bunny Blog. Of course, no rabbit website would be complete without adorable pictures of our four legged friends! Readers are invited to send in their own pets’ shots for inclusion in the My House Rabbit photo album.

You’ll find information about hay and toy suppliers, bunny-themed gift shops, and rabbit-related blogs, as well as an extensive list of adoption and rescue organizations. So stop by and take advantage of everything that this versatile website has to offer!