The Southern Charm Gang
MARL's Harvey the Easterbunny |
MARL's Pretty Miss Kelly |
Harvey came into a local humane society at the age of 5 months. He was a very special bunny, with qualities not always found in rabbits. Most people coming into shelters are not looking for a rabbit. Many people feel rabbits should live outside, but they have no idea what they are missing with these neat pets. They never get to see the Bunny Dance or really get to know this friend. Miss Kelly is the product of a puppy and rabbit mill. She was the only rabbit to live through one of the worst winter freezes Mississippi has ever seen. We fostered Kelly for well over a year before we found the right home for her. She and Petey, another Rabbit rescued from kids shooting B.B. guns at him, went to a wonderful home where they live inside and are very loved. We still get photos and a note from them each year. Of course, Kelly and Petey were spayed and neutered before we placed them in a new home.
Housebunnies can be wonderful pets, but they may be more time consuming than many realize. House Rabbits have lived 10+ years when proper care and attention have been given. Listed below are some facts we learned after bring Harvey home to live with us. This information and MUCH more can be found in a wonderful book written by Marinell Harriman called The House Rabbit Handbook. Be sure to get the latest edition. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone thinking of or already sharing their life with a bunny friend.
Rabbits cannot throw up, but groom themselves as cats do, perhaps even more so. They must have fresh hay daily to provide roughage to allow the hair to pass through the body. The hay should be the same type given to horses in that it should never have been wet.
Feeding Rabbits a pellet only diet is not a healthy or proper diet. Rabbits need fresh veggies daily, but the amount must be built up slowly.
Rabbits make better pets if they are spayed or neutered. Rabbits of both sexes can spray like a male cat and neutering them will eliminate this in most cases. Spaying and neutering also makes a healthier pet and eliminates certain types of cancer in all animals.
Rabbits need proper exercise. Kept inside, they can be allowed to run around the house, but you must bunnyproof your home. Rabbits do love to chew, so be sure to provide toys such as paper towel cardboard rolls, untreated wood, plain untreated wicker baskets, and telephone books just to name a few. Protect all cords, especially telephone cords by either placing them behind heavy pieces of furniture or covering them with strip protectors found at your local hardware departments.
To find the very best House Rabbit information, please visit The House Rabbit Society
Please do your research before you make a decision to bring a rabbit into your home. There is no excuse now! The internet is full of good information on the care of house bunnies.
Questions or Comments? Email webmaster M. Suzanne Sims
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