Please Join or Donate!

Hug-a-Bunny followers-

Please consider joining our team on September 26th at the first annual New York "Strutt Your Mutt," held by Best Friends Animal Society. Hug-a-Bunny will be the only rabbit rescue attending and we need volunteers to walk on our team and donations to reach our goal! Please consider either joining to walk with us or donating towards our cause. We can't thank you enough for your never-ending support!

Hug-a-Bunny's Bunny Pack!

TRUFFLE, Our Newest Hug-a-Piggie!

Truffle the guinea pig is our newest Hug-a-Bunny addition! He's the sweetest, smallest, and quietest piggie in the world! He's looking for a home who will give him lots of hugs and kisses every day...after all he's been through he certainly deserves it! Who is looking to add the sweetest guinea pig into their home? If you're interested or want more information about Truffle, please email us at hugabunny@gmail.com! A big "thank you" to everyone involved in the rescue of this sweet boy, especially Special Needs K-9! This truly shows how rescue organizations work together for the animals!

Click here to read more about Truffle's rescue!

Strutt Your Buns!!!!

To our fellow bunny lovers,

This year, Best Friends Animal Society is hosting its first east coast "Strutt Your Mutt" event in New York City on September 26th. This will be a huge benefit walk, fundraiser, and festival for dogs and other animals. It will be a wonderful event- and we hope anyone who is in the area will consider coming! The more the merrier!

While this is an event mainly for dogs, our rabbit rescue group- Hug-a-Bunny Rabbit Rescue- will have its very own "Bunny Pack!" Rabbits are always under-represented, so we're happy that we will be able to be there to represent our lagomorph friends! We are a small 501(c)(3) rescue located in Northern, New Jersey. Since we don't have a physical location, we rely on foster homes to take care of our rescued rabbits. We also exist solely on donations and fundraisers for the medical and daily living expenses of our rabbits. We're always out supporting other rescue groups and we're excited to have a team for our rescue at this event. We can't wait for everyone to unite to raise money and awareness for the loving companions that rabbits are!

Since we're all animal and bunny lovers, we would love as many people as possible to join our team and raise money for the bunnies! Gather a group of friends or come and make some new friends... sign up to walk with us for the bunnies! It's wonderful to raise awareness while also taking part in a great event for a great cause! If you can, please join our "Hug-a-Bunny Rabbit Rescue" bunny pack and walk with us! If not, we need support and would LOVE if you would sponsor us!

Hug-a-Bunny's "Strutt Your Mutt" Bunny Pack

We're so excited for this event and hope to see you all there!

Binkies and Hugs,
Jamie and Frannie
Co-Founders and Co-Directors, Hug-a-Bunny Rabbit Rescue

TRUE LOVE!

Tonka (left) and Lulu (right) snuggling on a summer day

A picture is worth a thousand words!  This was taken yesterday in one of our foster homes and we just had to share! Please don't laugh at Tonka's coat...they're in grooming season and Tonka HATES being groomed!

If you haven't been to our Petfinder site for a while, you should take the time to refresh yourself on the story of Lulu and Tonka, especially if you haven't read it before. Both were rescued from the same kill shelter within months of one another and were even there overlapping at some point since Lulu had been a return adoption there! It's possible that this is when their love blossomed, but soon after they were separated to go their different ways. They ended up eventually both being rescued by Hug-a-Bunny and were at the same foster home several times (Lulu moves around twice before landing back in her current foster home) and they eventually had the chance for love! The two of them tried to tell us every way they could that they loved each other, but no one here speaks "rabbit." So, they forced themselves against their enclosures to lay side by side through the bars to show their human caretakers they wanted to be together. They immediately became a pair and have groomed each other from the first minute (which is something Tonka, on the right, obviously needs in a mate) have been a bonded pair for years, looking for a home together where they can have plenty of room to run and play. Tonka is now a senior man and has a little bit of trouble seeing (he's about 10 or 11 years old now, based on our calculations) but that doesn't stop him or Lulu from playing, snuggling, and enjoying life. They have been a bonded pair for over two years, and will spend the rest of their lives side by side, just like in this picture! For as long as it takes for these two lovebirds to find a home, they're safe with us...and each other! :)

To read more about Lulu and Tonka's story, click on the link below!

 Lulu and Tonka's Petfinder Profile

OUR 200TH ADOPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all of your support, we were able to attain another goal that we never thought possible. Recently, we had our 200th adoption! This was a huge accomplishment for us and we're so proud! When Frannie and I started Hug-a-Bunny back in 2006, our goal was to save one life. I can remember a time was said to each other, "imagine how we'll feel when we get to 200!" Well, we blinked and we're here! It has taken a lot of hard work on behalf of so many amazing people.

The real stars here are our rescued rabbits, who now have a second chance at happiness! Each one has touched our hearts and will remain there forever. Take a minute to browse through our "Hoppy Tails" section of our website (hugabunny.petfinder.com) to see all of the amazing animals who have been lucky enough to find permanent homes!

Our amazing Winnie the Pooh was our 200th adoption. After being dropped at a shelter with several others, he was overlooked and lived there for quite some time. Finally, we rescued Winnie the Pooh and he lived in a Hug-a-Bunny foster home for the past two years waiting for the perfect home to come along! Luckily, Jess and Adam opened up their home to our Winnie the Pooh! He has been in our rescue waiting for his "forever home" for 2 years, and we're so happy that he finally has a family to love him like we do!

In honor of our 200th adoption, we're calling on all past adopters to send in  updates on our adopted Hug-a-Bunnies. We would love to know how they're doing! If you send us a little blurb and a picture, we'll feature your Hug-a-Bunny in an "Hug-a-Bunny Update" section!

Hug-a-Bunny Adoption Event!

Hug-a-Bunny is part of a big adoption event tomorrow at the Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital! We will have a few foster moms there with some of our wonderful adoptable Hug-a-Bunnies! If you are possibly interested in adopting, we will definitely have Christian Dior, Studley, and possibly a few others there! If you're goi...ng and might want to meet Sadie and Samantha (our bonded pair of girls), or Ray, let us know and I can have their foster mom bring them over too!

If you are serious about adopting, we hardly ever do adoption events where we bring our animals out, so we're really excited for this opportunity for some of our Hug-a-Bunnies to be out an meeting their admirers! Even if you aren't looking to adopt, but just want to meet our Hug-a-Bunnies and show support- everyone is welcome!

Here's the information about the event:
Where: Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital, 754 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ
When: Sunday, May 2nd, 11-4pm
Who: Many adoption agencies, including Hug-a-Bunny!

Check out their website for more information!
http://www.franklinlakesanimalhospital.com/adoption-day

Thanks again for your interest! We hope to see you at the event tomorrow!

Jamie & Frannie
Co-Directors, Hug-a-Bunny Rabbit Rescue

Welcome Disney Bunnies!

Who doesn't love a litter of sweet, adorable babies???? Introducing....the Disney Babies!

After ending up in a kill shelter, two female rabbits had no more time and were slated for euthanasia. Luckilg, another shelter offered to take them in and they were safe from harm. About two weeks later, on a Wednesday, one of the girls gave birth to 5 babies. We were a bit overwhelmed and were making plans to get all of the rabbits out of the shelter in the following days. That same Friday (2 days later) the other female gave birth to 7 more babies...12 total. We came that very same day and pulled out all of the rabbits, and our great foster mom Tammie agreed to take them all in and help raise them! We named the moms Cinderella (Cinder) and Snow White (Snowy)!

Cinderella & Snow White

Cinderella and Snow White have been incredible moms, despite all of the stress they have gone through. It's possible they are sisters and were most likely impregnated by the same male, since they look so much alike and their babies are all so similar. In fact, both moms treated all of the babies like their own and nursed anyone who came past. At this point, we can't pinpoint for sure who is from Snowy and who is from Cinder! It's truly a blended family!

We have watched the Disney babies grow from tiny little pink babies, into fit-in-the-palm-of-your-hand bunnies, now into big-eared hearty babies! They are only 7 weeks old, but they are eating us out of house and home and are growing daily! It's amazing to watch the progression as they have gotten bigger!

Only Days Old- January 15th

4 Weeks Old- February 12th

7 Weeks Old- March 5th

Please stay updated for more information about the Disney babies- and more about adopting them!

Happy 2010!

Happy New Year From Hug-a-Bunny!

We know it's already March, and we haven't been able to update our Blog in quite some time, but we want to wish you the very best for the new year ahead! We know that 2010 will be a wonderful year for our rescue. Already this year, we have been active in rescuing lives! We have actively spayed and neutered the "Upstate Bunnies," and have already had 8 adoptions this year! WOW! We also hit 190 adoptions, which is a huge accomplishment for us...only 10 more to go until 200 adoptions!

This year, we have already rescued quite a few rabbits from horrible situations. Christian Dior came to us after losing his home, and then went into a bad bout of GI Stasis. Luckily, he's doing much better and is looking for a new home! We have also rescued the Princess moms Cinderella and Snow White, along with their 7 babies- the Disney Babies! These babies are eating a lot and growing daily! Check back soon for a posting about them!

We know our goals are big for 2010 and we could NEVER do it all without wonderful supporters like you!  Let's all keep up the good work in 2010. Together, we really can make a difference!

 Love,
Jamie & Frannie
Co-Directors & Co-Founders, Hug-a-Bunny Rabbit Rescue

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!

Ask Button #4

Dear Mr. Button,

I hate to ask, but you keep mentioning that you are blind. What happened to you to make you blind? I'm sure you have been asked this before, and you don't have to share if you're not comfortable!

Love,
Button's Biggest Fan
Franklin Lakes, NJ



Dear Button's Biggest Fan,

WOW! I've been waiting to meet my biggest fan for some time now! I'm glad that there are people out there who love and support me! For a while there, I thought no one was reading my posts. It takes me so long to type (in fact, sometimes I need my mom to type for me) and I was about to give up the column to a faster bunny typer.

Don't worry about asking personal questions! I'm happy to share my story with you, although I'm sure it will make you a bit sad.

I was found outdoors in a very busy city-like town in Bergen County, NJ. When I was rescued, I was dehydrated and wasn't moving on the side of the road. My fur was all matted and tangled in knots that extended over 3 feet away from my body! I was in such a horrible state. To top it off, my eyes were sealed shut with thick disgusting crust. They were hurting me so I didn't want to open them. I think after living in an abusive situation for so long (my past "people" really did a number on me) and then living on the streets (can you believe they just let me go to fend for myself??) I was just in horrible shape. When the Animal Control officers took me to a nearby county shelter, I was actually a bit relieved. At least there I was safe from the elements and could try to find my way around without opening my eyes. I actually got food and water there too, which is not something I was getting before.

After living at the shelter for a few days, Hug-a-Bunny was alerted to my sad situation. Jamie from Hug-a-Bunny came to see me and immediately pulled me out of the shelter. I was still in horrible shape- my nails were so long, my fur was all matted, and my eyes were in so much pain. She immediately took me to a vet where I got eye ointment and pain medication to help my painful skin and eyes. The next stop was to try to be shaved by a veterinary technician. After 45 minutes and 2 technicians, they only made a tiny dent in my fur. It was matted so horribly and the fur was pulling on my skin so badly that they had to go very slowly! I just couldn't stay there any longer. So, I went back home with Jamie and started my process of rehabilitation.

Here I am settling into my home with my painful eyes shut

After relaxing and eating a bit, Jamie got to work on my horribly matted fur. It couldn't wait since the veterinary technicians found that the fur was matted so horribly that it prevented my legs from moving! My breed is a Jersey Wooly, characterized by our amazing majestic hair. In this case due to so much neglect, the hair grew in knots around my body. In some spots, the skin was actually ripping open already. I sat patiently for 10 minutes at a time while Jamie uncovered my tender skin using tiny scissors. This worked better than the clipper that the vet techs were using. She was so careful not to cut me. Each snip of the scissors freed another part of my body and after 3 short sessions (I would rest and eat in between) I had some of my back exposed and I could hop again! I felt so great, but we still had a long way to go.

This picture shows some of the fur Jamie got off of me from my tail and back leg area. I already felt better, but we had so much more to go!

So, we kept working at it and after over two hours of clipping (and stopping for breaks a lot) I was finally freed from my horrible matted fur! In my fur, Jamie found staples, sticks, and other small household items. It was clear that I hadn't been cared for in some time. My fur (and body) smelled so horrible and was discolored. It came off in thick disgusting clumps of fur. The backs of my legs were so raw and tender, but I knew that it would only get better from here! In my first picture after having the gross hair off of me, I actually opened my eyes and looked around a bit! Look how much better I look already! You can see that my eyes are very cloudy- which the vet said was likely from damage to them from living in the elements for so long. It's possible that I was housed outdoors (before they let me go) without any protection from the elements.

I felt so great after all of the gross fur was off of my body!

Jamie kept calling me "Button," which struck me as interesting since all of her rabbits (aside from Apple) are named with the letter "B" as the first letter. I knew almost immediately that we built a bond and after hearing what she started calling me, I wasn't surprised when this safe haven became my "forever home" shortly after. Since all of her other rabbits live in pairs, I was the only single bunny and bonded with Jamie immediately! I also fell in love with my cousin Parker, who is a rescued poodle mix. He and I get along so well together and he comforted me on the very first day I came to my house! You can even see Parker behind the gate in the picture below.

Learning how to hop again after my legs were freed! My cousin Parker is behind me cheering me on!

As the days went on, the crust began to leave my eyes. I opened them more, although I couldn't see much. The damage to my eyes had caused scar tissue to form leaving cloudy white spots in front of both eyes. At that time I was completely blind and had a hard time even seeing light. Over time, and with tons of TLC, even these white spots began to fade a bit. I now keep my eyes open all the time, but do have a very hard time seeing directly in front of me. While my eyes feel 100% better, I do still have some trouble seeing. I rely on my senses of sound and smell a lot more than sight. I prefer people to approach me very slowly and talk to me before touching me. I now can see light and I know when someone is approaching me, although I often don't know who they are until I hear or smell them. I also have big fears of being out of my cage, unless my mom is right there with me, since I am always afraid of what's out there if I can't see it to protect myself. My mom keeps saying there's nothing dangerous in my home, but I'm still nervous. Even the smallest sounds startle me and cause me to panic. So, I like to be out of my cage when I'm with my mom- or my favorite...on the bed with her watching TV! I'm a big snuggler and actually love to lick my mom!

I'm confident that my sight will continue to improve, or at least I'll start dealing with it better. As you can see from more recent pictures of me, I keep my eyes open all the time now and I'm feeling great. My fur has since grown back and I love to have it brushed. Sometimes I still like to be clipped down, but most of the time I wear my hair long. I'm so happy where I am and I'm getting more confident every day! I was even offered to write this column since I love to talk and hang out with people!

Here's a picture of me only a short time after joining my home. Look how good I looked! Wow, I'm handsome!

Anyway, sorry to be so long-winded about my story. I'm sure you've learned a lot more about me!

Take care!
Love,
Button