Ask Button #5

Dear Button,

Sometimes I find that when I put my hand into my rabbit's cage too quickly, he gets startled and his posture changes. Sometimes I wonder if I am trespassing in his space. How do you like people to approach you when you're in your cage? This may help me make my rabbit happier when I am putting my hands in his cage.

By the way, I think you are very handsome...love the ears!

Love, 

Lagomorph Lover 
New York, NY

Dear Lagomorph Lover,

Why thank you on your compliments! When I was first rescued by my mom, my fur was completely matted. While I'm nearly blind and can't see my reflection in the mirror, I hear that I am very handsome. My helicopter ears always get comments from people. I'm sure your rabbit is as good looking as I am! 

Your question is very thoughtful. How wonderful for you to be paying attention to the body language of your rabbit. It's true, rabbits don't love it when people shove their hands into their space. Please keep in mind, we lagomorphs (rabbits) are prey animals. We are always worrying about people hurting us and we're always watching out for predators. While we know as our owner you love and respect us, we still can get alarmed when hands enter our cage quickly! The worst is when people start to rearrange our things while we're right there! I always tell people that when someone touches our things, it would be equivalent to someone coming into your bedroom and moving things around! I know you wouldn't like that very much! It's no wonder that you see your rabbit's body posture and ear positioning change when you do this. 

Personally, I love to be approached by my mom talking to me before she touches me. This way, I know it's her and I'm more comfortable. Then, I like it when she pets my head to let me know it's ok. My mom always keeps her hand on my head while she moves my bowl or rearranges my things. For some reason, this helps me and all of my fellow rabbits feel more comfortable and secure. 

It may sound silly, but I do not like fast movement or hands around my mouth. As soon as I sense hands underneath my chin or closer to my mouth, I tend to "box" at them to try to get them out of my way. I don't mean to lunge at people, but I do get very defensive of my home and this is the only way I know to defend my space. I've spoken to many other rabbits, and they all seem to agree that this isn't the best way to approach us.

In all situations, we like to be respected and given the space we need to feel comfortable. 

Please write back with more questions! I LOVE getting mail! 

Love your Hug-a-Bunny friend,

Button

The BIG Winter Rescue of 2007

In December of 2007, Hug-a-Bunny was alerted to a situation in a farm about an hour away. Many animals had been abandoned and were living in the elements in the freezing cold. Some of the ground was covered in muck and mud, and the rabbits were caged in with an angry turkey who also was neglected. The farm found placements for all of the animals, including the turkey, but desperately needed help with the rabbits. We could not leave the rabbits there. We had heard that some were given away to use as bait for dogs, while others were just let loose. We knew we had to act quickly.

Here is a picture of some of the rabbits (Sterling, Ella, & Madison) before being rescued. Freezing and malnourished, the rabbits were looking for food anywhere they could.

We agreed to help and took in all 8 of the rabbits from this farm! This involved catching them in 3 different rescue efforts (each which took us getting down and dirty in the mud), bringing them indoors, and helping them settle in as indoor bunnies! These were all domestic rabbits who were dumped into a very bad situation and we were happy to welcome all of them into the rescue! Ella, Sterling, Madison, Butch, our babies Peace and Love, and last members Jolly and Jingle all came from this location! Sadly, Love died shortly after coming into our rescue. All of the rabbits were all checked by vets, spayed and neutered, and were litterbox trained. All of them are now in new homes enjoying their lives!

A big congratulations to Ella, Jolly and Jingle, Peace, Sterling, Butch, and finally Madison on their loving, forever homes! Madison joined her home in December of 2008 and that marked exactly a year from when they had been rescued. It has even been a year since Madison joined her new home! We're happy to announce that all of the rabbits from this big rescue effort are safe and in amazing homes!

Ella

Jolly & Jingle


Baby Peace


Sterling

Butch

Madison

Congratulations to all of the "Big Winter Rescue of 2007" rabbits!