SEPTEMBER 25 IS INTERNATIONAL RABBIT DAY

RabbitWise� Launches The Bunderground Rail Road Web Site In Honor of the Occasion

Rabbits in need of rescue are going to get a big helping hand from RabbitWise’s� new web site, The Bunderground Railroad, located at www.bundergroundrailroad.org. Designed to be used as a tool by the rabbit rescue community, the site lists rabbit resources in each state of the union.  Each state page links the user to web sites and e-mail contacts of these organizations to save time when time is precious.   In addition, there are linked tools, an atlas and Map Quest that will enable rescuers to locate the geographic areas involved and the routes necessary to take to execute the rescue plan.

Each state in the union will have a contact known as a State Coordinator (SC).  To activate the Bunderground Rail Road, a rescuer e-mails the SC and describes the need for assistance.  The SC makes an assessment of the situation and then notifies the other SCs and Conductors (the volunteers who do the transporting) that a rescue plan is needed.  The SCs, the Conductors, and the requesting rescuer put their heads together to develop resources and transportation plans to safety for the endangered rabbits.

SCs and Conductors have a separate e-mail group where they have access to all other SCs’ and Conductors’ contact information.  In this manner their private information is kept that way.  The group also provides a space to make plans in consultation with one another.  The same tools on the public web site are provided to the group members along with various forms, checklists, and information to make their rescue efforts more time efficient and organized.

Evonne Vey (Evonne’s Art), Kerry Stewart (The Rabbit Habit), and April Jones (Washington SC), all integral in helping Lana Lehr (Managing Director, RabbitWise�) achieve this somewhat daunting task, are very excited about the impact this web site tool will have on the rescue of rabbits.  “Conductor Rabbit is going to go down in rabbit history,” laughs Vey, and the others readily agreed.  “This is what can be done when it’s about the rabbits, “ says Lehr.

To volunteer, go to the web site, click on “Volunteer,” and follow the instructions.

The following article has become known in some circles as the “Bicillin Protocol” and is reproduced here in part with the permission of the author to keep you updated about some of the latest developments in rabbit health care.

Successful Eradication of Severe Abscesses in Rabbits with Long-Term Administration of Penicillin G Benzathine/Penicillin G Procaine�

By Marcy E. Rosenfield (Moore)

    One of the more serious and fairly common health problems that occur in rabbits is the development of an abscess.  Abscesses can arise anywhere in the body but the most debilitating and hardest to cure are abscesses that develop in the jaw, eye, and other areas of the head.  The theory of abscess treatment has revolved around the now disproved fact that the only way to successfully treat and cure these infections was by removing all purulence and the surrounding tissue, bone, teeth, sometimes one or both eyes (enucleation).  In many cases, this is impossible to do without causing debilitating effects to the rabbit.  However, administering penicillin G benzathine/ penicillin G procaine on a long- term basis using fairly low, well-tolerated doses has been extensively documented and proven to eradicate the abscess and all residual infection.  Excellent results have been achieved and replicated multiple times by veterinarians and other rabbit experts in the US, Canada, and around the world. 

Treating Severe Chronic Infection/ Abscesses
 All standard treatments begin with the removal of the abscess and debriding the area.  The more popular surgical options used are removal of the eye (enucleation), removal of molar spurs or sometimes the tooth or teeth, and then packing the abscessed cavity with calcium hydroxide, which has been reported to cause serious tissue damage and necrosis at the affected site, or packing the cavity with 50% dextrose, or packing the affected area with antibiotic impregnated polymethyl methacrylate beads (AIPMMA).  Beads impregnated with an antibiotic indicated by culture and sensitivity are implanted in the affected areas, allowing the slow release of the chosen antibiotic. The most frequently and perhaps over prescribed drug used in treating infection in rabbits today is enrofloxacin (Baytril^�, Bayer Co.), oral and injectable.  It is well documented that abscesses contain a host of different bacteria, both aerobic and anaerobic.  Enrofloxacin is not active against anaerobic bacteria so administering this antibiotic as a standard treatment for abscesses may allow the proliferation of these anaerobes.  Therefore it is imperative to find a safe, effective antibiotic that does not cause side- effects in the patient.  Other advantages of bicillin are that bicillin injections do not cause skin irritation or sores at the injection site and administering one injection every other day is easier on rabbit caretakers.

Protocol, Doses and Schedule of Administration
 I used the bicillin protocol when my own pet rabbit Pal, at age seven, developed a severe infection and accompanying abscess likely caused by a scratch to his upper eyelid by his mate.  The infection involved most of the right side of his face, coming to a head as 12 to 15 ccs of pus just above his right eye.

     Because of the limited options and Pal's age, I felt that draining the abscess and administering bicillin on a long-term basis was the best initial approach for us.   As much pus as possible was removed first with hydrogen peroxide to break down the pus.  After debridement, the abscess was flushed with a sterile saline + hydrogen peroxide solution and a final wash ending with a sterile isotonic saline solution.   The incision was closed using New Skin (liquid bandage, Medtech^�).  Pal then received 0.50 cc (150,000 units) of Bicillin C-R administered every other day for eight weeks, then reduced to every third day for four weeks.  After three months of continuous bicillin administration, Pal was declared abscess- free, suffered no relapse (2.5 years) during his lifetime and best of all kept his eye and his vision.

     The bicillin protocol and accompanying dosing schedule was based on Pal's, a seven-year-old New Zealand, experience.  Because most rabbits with infections and accompanying pain lose weight during their bout, and most rabbit caretakers do not have scales that are sufficient to carefully monitor small increments of weight gain (grams), the dose of bicillin has been divided into two groups for administration purposes:

* Rabbits weighing LESS than 2.50 Kgs receive 75,000 units every other day
* Rabbits weighing MORE than 2.50 Kgs receive 150,000 units every other day
* Route of administration:  subcutaneous injection The length of treatment depends on (a) the age and health of the patient, (b) how long the patient has been ill, (c) how many different treatments & other antibiotics were used and (d) how well the infection responds to bicillin.   At this point in time rabbits are being treated with bicillin using the same dosage schedule as Pal's -- eight weeks of bicillin given every other day, followed by four weeks of administration every third day.
Most rabbits responded immediately to bicillin injections, while others who had been chronically ill  took anywhere from three to six weeks of injections before any results were seen.  Therefore it is imperative to continue the bicillin therapy and not discontinue administration too soon.

    There were rabbits who had abscesses that did not respond or continued to grow while receiving the dosage stated in this paper.  However, by increasing the administration rate from every- other- day to every day, the abscesses  were  eradicated and spared these rabbits from serious surgical intervention such as enucleation.  This discovery made it possible to successfully treat rabbits with inoperable abscesses using only bicillin.  Most rabbits tolerated the increase in bicillin administration without experiencing side effects, but it is recommended that rabbits with histories of gut problems, sensitivities or gastrointestinal stasis be given probiotics as a preventative measure.

     In conclusion, the use of penicillin G benzathine/ procaine used as a systemic antibiotic has successfully eradicated abscess and infection in rabbits without causing debilitating side effects that other treatments tend to do.  This has been proven countless times by veterinarians who have independently replicated my results by following the protocol.  It has also been proven that bicillin administered as a primary antibiotic can prevent a small infection from becoming a life- threatening situation.

RABBIT POSTAGE STAMPS

Well, we have begged the post office to come up with a rabbit postage stamp but to no avail.  Now you can customize your own stamps at http://photo.stamps.com/ by uploading your jpeg format photos. For about $20 you can buy 20 37� stamps. 

Dig out your favorite photos of your buns and upload them to create your own stamps.  There’s nothing like advertising the special allure of your rabbit to everyone who receives mail from you.

By Evonne Vey

Hydro Therapy for Rabbits

My house rabbit, Maestro, began dragging one of his hind legs recently.  He had been having problems with this leg and was previously treated for E.C. after testing positive.  An x-ray revealed that his leg was dislocated. Surgery was recommended and then performed on June29, 2004. The attending vet told me that she and the orthopedic surgeon had cleaned around the joint. I was warned that he may not walk again but assured that he would be a lot more comfortable.  During the days that followed, I was pleased that sometimes Maestro could sit on his haunches and sometimes able to do 5 small hops without falling over. Once I stopped giving him pain medication, however, he resumed lying on his side and dragging his leg.  To keep him comfortable, I have kept him on homeopathic Arnica Montana (30c) three times per day and also a homeopathic rheumatic pain formula, and sometimes aspirin (half of an adult aspirin).

I consulted with Dr. Newkirk, an complimentary medicine vet that works in conjunction with my regular vet, who suggested that I try Hydro Therapy with Maestro, that is, put him in a tub and exercise his legs and try and get him to swim. He also recommended that I give him Standard Process, Lipoplex II, a nutritional supplement

(see http://www.standardprocess.com/lit/brochures/jointhealthL1780.pdf) , and homeopathic Medulla Spinales.  I mixed the Lipoplex II with Dr. Schultze’s Superfood, Flax Seed oil, vitamin E, homeopathic Vit. C, Arnica and Ginko Biloba, thinned it with a little fresh juice, and syringe fed it to Maestro.  He loved it!  I’m also massaging the injured area per Dr. Newkirk’s recommendation and using the rabbit massage book, The Relaxed Rabbit by Chandra Moira Beal, RMT & MAIA, as a guide.

Maestro enjoys the Hydro Therapy. I fill the tub with moderately warm water, shallow enough so that he could touch bottom if he tried. Donning my bathing suit, I get into the tub, carrying him with me. At first I used a sling around his belly and found that if supported, he preferred to float rather than swim.  Later, I used my hand to hold him. When I let him go, he uses one back leg to swim a sidestroke. 

The results have been quite amazing. Maestro can now hop a distance of 7 feet before falling over and he can sit upright on all fours for about 5 minutes. I was delighted to see him trying to jump into his litter box the other day.  Both his hind legs have become quite strong now.  I know, because I received a pretty good thump the other day.  I was thrilled!  Before his treatment the affected leg was weak and limp.

We still have a long way to go, but in my opinion the Hydro Therapy has had a very positive effect on Maestro. I feel by continuing this therapy plus administering Dr. Newkirk’s nutritional and homeopathic recommendations that hopefully one day, Maestro will be able to hop and play again like a healthy bunny. 

Disclaimer: this column is not intended as veterinary advice or a veterinary opinion. Please consult a rabbit experienced veterinarian before administering any product, remedy, or supplement.  Dosage should be calculated according to your rabbit’s weight.

From The Coney Courier,

Special to The Metro Rabbit News

By Muggins Rocko Rabbit

Many of you Funny Looking Rabbits (FLRs) out there may not know this but on September 25, we celebrate International Rabbit Day.  What’s so important about rabbits that they get their own special day, you may ask.  Well, just let me get you up to speed about the special significance rabbits have had to humans.  Across most of your history, the rabbit and/or the hare have had important symbolic meaning to many cultures. Today in the USA, we are the third most popular companion animals, after cats and dogs.

According to D. J. Conway in Animal Magick, the domesticated rabbit was introduced to England by the Romans who had brought rabbits to markets in Spain.  Later, the rabbit became sacred to the British moon goddess, Andraste.  Around the world, the rabbit became associated with other deities such as Freyia, Hermes, Aprodite, and Eros.  In America, Brer Rabbit, who descended from the African Trickster deity, became a famous character in American folktales.  Native Americans believed that the Great Hare, a rabbit relative, was the original creator of the universe.  The ancient Egyptians had a similar belief.  To the Japanese and the Chinese, the hare is an ancient symbol of long life.  Furthermore, in China the hare is the guardian of all wild animals. Perhaps now you understand the international part of the celebration.

In Europe as far back as 600 BC the rabbit foot has been used as a lucky charm.  Obviously, this has led to very unfortunate circumstances for my brethren.  On the positive side, you probably saw us as lucky because of our special characteristics.  We are born with our eyes open, suggesting innate wisdom.  Since we spend much of our time underground in our burrows and our lives were hidden from you, we appear mysterious. Because we breed, er, like rabbits, that is to say we are very prolific, you saw us as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.  There have been times in England when it was believed that a rabbit crossing your path was bad luck.  That had to do with the belief that we were witches in disguise.  It was a silly idea because no self-respecting rabbit would choose to take human form.  This silliness spread to most of the British Isles throughout the Middle Ages. In Scotland, if a rabbit got aboard a ship the vessel was considered witch ridden.  No crew would board the ship until it was blessed by a member of the clergy.  It gives me the idea that some of you should dress up as a rabbit for Halloween.  It goes along with that witch idea.

In our current epoch in the late twentieth century in the USA, we moved indoors to live our lives as house rabbits, treasured companions of our FLRs who now receive us as part of their human families. Recently described as  “cartoon characters come to life” in the May issue of The Reader’s Digest, we were named as “The Best New Hip Pet.”   Of course we are. Was there ever any doubt? 

So if you are an aspiring goddess or hipster looking for an appropriate sidekick, rabbits have had a long history with that kind of experience and would love to apply for a live-in position in your home.  Let some bunny know if you’re accepting applications.

IN MEMORIAM

    Holly Sternberg reports that the protests at Petland in the Pickett Shopping Center in Fairfax, VA, are going very well.  The public has been overwhelmingly supportive and the police have confirmed the protestors’ right to be there on four different occasions.  Fairfax City animal control officers have recently called the state veterinarian in hopes of getting Petland to finally comply with Virginia's minimal animal welfare laws after Petland has pled ignorance and stalled for over a year.  The protest is objecting to Petland’s trucking in 25 new puppies each week from known puppy mills.  Unknown numbers of rabbits, ferrets, parakeets, and other small animals that Petland also trucks in endure the same deplorable conditions in the mills as do the puppies.  In Defense of Animals (www.idausa.org), a national organization that fights cruel exploitation of animals, has stepped up to the plate and supplied Sternberg with leaflets specifically targeting Petland’s inhumane practices.  Doris Day Animal League (www.ddal.org) is supporting legislation to protect puppies and breeding dogs.  Protests are every Saturday and Sunday from 1 PM to 6 PM for 1.5hour shifts.  E-mail Sternberg at Holly@Sternberg.com to volunteer.  

    Lana Lehr’s article, A HEALTHY DIET EQUALS A HEALTHY RABBIT, was published in Animail, the quarterly news magazine of the Montgomery County Humane Society.  In addition to the newsletter article, she is helping to update the literature that the shelter gives to new rabbit caretakers.  Another article by Lehr, The Rabbit:  From Deity’s Sidekick to Hip New Pet, was published in October’s Animal Chatter.  Lehr is the managing director of RabbitWise�.

    Australian supermodel Imogen Bailey has posed nude for a poster protesting the killing of rabbits for their fur, called “Hands off the Buns!”  Two rabbits strategically placed on Ms. Bailey’s body appear on the poster with her.  The poster is at www.furisdead.com/feat/bunny/index.html.

    As feared, the fall fashion season has brought an influx of rabbit fur products into department and other stores.  There are ponchos, shawls, shrugs, boleros, collars, hat trim, and Ugg (Ugh!!) rabbit fur trimmed boots.  The poncho, which was on the cover of Lord & Taylor’s Fall 2004 catalog received a “Yowl” from Doris Day Animal League (see www.ddal.org/pubs/yipsandyowls/).   DDAL urged animal lovers to contact the CEO of Lord and Taylor’s parent company and ask that he stop promoting cruelty in the name of fashion:  Eugene S. Kahn, Chief Executive Officer, May Department Stores, 611 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63101, (314) 342-6300.   To complain about the boots go to the Kitson Store web site at http://shopkitson.com/index.php?pageId=5.  To complain to the designer of the fur clothing, Max Azira, add your name to the group letter Gary Loewenthal is preparing.   E-mail Gary at GaryLoewenthal@mailblocks.com. Stay tuned.  Gary, RabbitWise, and others are working with the Humane Society to develop a strategy to combat this problem.  PLEASE HELP!  We are the only voice that the rabbits have.  See related articles that follow.

 Tee shirts and other products objecting to the use of rabbits for their fur can be found at http://www.cafeshops.com/bizarroanimals.  At this site, click on “Angry Bunny Products.”  These designs feature a blue, urban, cartoon rabbit carrying a placard saying “Wear Your

Own Damn Fur.”

RabbitWise has opened an Alerts/News store at www.cafepress.com/RabbitWise. Visit us there and shop for tee shirts, baseball caps, lunch boxes and lots of other items all imprinted with our great logo, Professor Rabbit.  You can also access the store from our web site at www.rabbitwise.org.  Click on “RabbitWise Shop.”

    Friends of Rabbits did a special presentation for children and adults to learn more about rabbits on September 11, at the Mary Riley Styles Library in Falls Church, VA.  Participants learned about rabbit habits, what it’s like to live with a rabbit, and how one could help the rabbits in the backyard.  Kids learned how to flop like rabbits and met two rabbits that are best friends. 

FUR FARMING REVEALED:  An unacceptable practice for the sake of human vanity    

Rabbits in fur and meat farms have miserable short lives. They are crowded together in small wire cages. They have no solid floor on which to sleep or stand. They get no exercise because they're never allowed out of their tiny quarters. They have no privacy. They're practically crawling over one another. They receive no veterinary care, even if very ill.  From the breeder's standpoint, it's not cost effective.

The rabbits are slaughtered by having their heads bashed against a wall. A few incisions are made in the fur, and their skin is literally pulled off them. Since the killing methods are imperfect, it's inevitable that some rabbits are still conscious when their fur is removed.

Most of the rabbits used in fur production come from China. The business is unregulated and punishment for animal cruelty is virtually unheard of. Unfortunately this is the case with all fur farms, including those in the U.S.; funding for governmental oversight is minimal, enforcement lax, and prosecution unusual. 

Fur vendors frequently claim that the fur is a "by-product" of the Chinese meat industry. That's deceptive. The fur is a product, not a by- product, because it generates revenue. It encourages more breeding of rabbits. Furthermore, rabbits with the thicker fur desired by designers and manufacturers are not necessarily those bred for meat. The bigger the market for rabbit fur, the more likely that rabbits are bred primarily for their fur.

In the developed world, fur is entirely unnecessary. Synthetics look great, feel great, and are cheaper to produce. Fur is currently being marketed heavily, which drives up demand. The solution is to reduce demand. One of the most effective ways to do that is to let people know of the suffering that goes into every fur garment and a reminder that faux fur is a perfect substitute and widely available.

Here's what you can do:

- Always check the label when buying anything that faintly resembles fur, including cat toys, gloves, handbags, and figurines. If the label does not specifically indicate that the item is made from synthetic materials, don't buy it. It might be made from rabbit fur.

- Let retailers know that you are offended by their fur clothing. Ask to be removed from mailing lists. Cut up and return your store credit card. Politely complain to salespeople. Some may feel the same as you.  Below are the snail mail and e-mail addresses of some of the worst offenders.  Keep in mind that personal letters are usually more effective.

-Educate yourself on the horrors of fur, and enlighten skeptical friends and family members, by visiting these web sites:

www.furkills.org

www.furisdead.com/cc.html

http://www.mercyforanimals.org/fur_general.asp

If we don’t take action, the fur industry will walk all over us. They'll continue to kill as many rabbits and other animals as they can. They'll continue to blatantly lie. They'll continue to claim that animals in fur farms are well treated or that fur is necessary for conservation. The rabbits that are inhumanely confined and killed to make fur products need your help. If enough people fight the fur industry, they'll topple, just like Goliath, and millions of rabbits and other animals will be spared from suffering in the name of fashion.                                 

HUMANE SOCIETY CONDEMNS LORD & TAYLOR’S SELLING OF RABBIT FUR GARMENTS

                                                            By Andrea Cimino, Humane Society

Many rabbit guardians may shop at large department stores for our fashion needs.  However, rabbit guardians and other humane shoppers are becoming extremely disturbed when they see clothing made from rabbits all over the racks and in store catalogues.  One such department store is Lord and Taylor, which featured a large rabbit fur knit poncho on the cover of a recent sale brochure. Rabbits are bred for their meat and fur in substandard conditions on rabbit production farms all around the world.  On these farms, rabbits are crammed into uncomfortable wire cages and movement is restricted to increase their size.  Cannibalism among the rabbits has been known to occur. The females are on an endless cycle of reproduction.  After a miserable life in which most of their natural behaviors has been thwarted, the rabbits have their necks broken or their throats slit. Claims from companies that rabbit fur is simply a “by-product” are false, as the sale of both the fur and meat is needed to make rabbit factory farming profitable.

Fur from rabbits and other animals such as mink and fox are not a central part of any major department store's business.  In fact, some department stores in the U.S. and the majority of department stores in the U.K. choose to sell no fur at all. There are plenty of synthetic, warm, and fashionable coats and accessories that department store customers may choose from.  The CEOs and customer service representatives need to hear from their customers that synthetic clothing is greatly preferred to real animal fur, especially rabbit fur.  Please politely tell Lord and Taylor CEO that you are a rabbit guardian and/or a humane shopper and would like them to stop selling rabbit and other animal fur and to implement a storewide Fur Free policy.

How do you get your rabbit to eat more hay? Hay should be about eighty per cent of a healthy rabbit’s diet but some buns just really try to hold out for the treats.  What to do?  You can play to your rabbits’ natural tendencies, like their curiosity, for example.

Some curious rabbits prefer investigating the entire bag and like pulling the hay out onto the floor.  They will then begin to nibble.  Some bun parents cut the hay into smaller pieces and mix it in with the pellets to encourage increased consumption.    Really wascally wabbits like to think they’re stealing it and are thrilled when their litter boxes, filled with hay, are in a different location.

Where can you buy good quality hay in the metropolitan Washington, DC area? For HRS members, good quality local hay can be purchased at HRS shed sites:

Maryland:

Susan Meier in Hunt Valley; susan@ firaxis.com
Kathleen Wilsbach in Baltimore; kathleen@ rabbit.org; Connie Tjoumas in Ellicott City/Northern Columbia,
fakman @erols.com Susan Wong in Southern Columbia sbunny @comcast.net; Marcus Silvestro in Rockville rockvilleshed@hrs_md-dc-nova@yahoogroups.com.

Virginia:
Karen Jones and Kevin Smy in Alexandria; kjsmy@ yahoo.com

Hay can also be purchased at BunnyLu Adoptions (www.bunnyluadoptions.org), Manassas, VA, at local feed stores, or Alerts/News at www.oxbowhay.com.  

Only 22% of small animals, including rabbits, are given pain medication in the UK compared with 71% of dogs and 56% of cats according to a 1999 study published by Lascelles, et al. Some of the reasons for this according to the researchers include 1) an unfamiliarity with signs of pain in rabbits and 2) unknown dosages and potential side effects in rabbits. This motivated vet Maria Parga of the Royal School of Veterinary Studies in Scotland to research pain related behavior in rabbits. Her findings were published in the British Veterinary Journal, New Direction, in January, 2003 see the article on web site http://www.askrabbitlady.com/_wsn/page2.html.

Dr. Parga believes that as a prey species, rabbits cannot afford to exhibit signs of pain because to do so would alert predators to an “easy catch.” So the rabbit hides any symptoms of pain until it is unable to continue doing so. Some of the behaviors rabbits exhibit when in pain include: remaining immobile, going off by itself, failure to groom, reduced input and output, and grinding its teeth.

In the article, Dr. Parga provides information on some of the pain medications currently being used on rabbits in the UK, including suggested dosages. Some of these medications include aspirin, Meloxicam, and Torbutrol. She cautions that prolonged use of these drugs should be avoided until more studies are conducted.

While there are no statistics available about how many rabbits receive pain medications in the US, it is becoming more common for a vet to prescribe pain medication. The importance of this became increasingly clear to me in July 2002 when my minilop was suffering from a rapid onset of bloat. He was in excruciating pain and quickly became unresponsive and shocky. As my husband and I rushed him to the vet, we doubted he would survive. My vet was waiting for us and gave him a shot of Torbutrol for pain. When I saw him a few minutes later I could not believe the difference.  He was much more alert and responsive.  The pain medication gave him the relief he needed to survive.  I encourage all rabbit caretakers to discuss pain management with their vet.

Here are some consequences of untreated pain in rabbits taken from The Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, 2002, by Frances Harcourt-Brown:

"Pain, stress and fright can all reduce gastrointestinal motility and lead to
the accumulation of hair in the stomach and the formation of trichobezoars.  Gas accumulates in the stagnant stomach and cecum. Visceral distention causes pain that stimulates catecholamine release and exacerbates inhibition of gut motility. Gastric ulceration can occur." (pages 260-261)

”Pain or stress stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and reduce gastrointestinal motility. Reduced gut motility can trigger a sequence of events that, left unchecked, culminate in the development of hepatic (liver) lipidosis and death." (page 136)

"In rabbits, pain and stress have a significant effect on renal (kidney) blood flow. Experimental studies suggest that adrenaline is responsible for
prolonged and marked reduction in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration."  (page 336) 

THINK BIG AND YOU WILL BE REWARDED:

NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS

By Judith Pierce, San Diego HRS

As a rescuer, I answer dozens of adoption calls and nearly 85 percent of callers start off by saying “we’re looking for a small bunny.”  They seem to have the idea that smaller is better. They think smaller bunnies are easier to care for, easier to handle, and cuter than larger bunnies. But, in my opinion, give me the big bunnies – especially the New Zealand Whites.

From my personal experience, I’ve learned that the New Zealand bunnies make great family pets. They are often mellower in temperament, make great companions, and their larger size makes it difficult for little hands to lift them off the floor. So your children can interact with your New Zealand bunny by getting down on the floor at their level – the best way to make friends!  New Zealands are also known for their sturdiness, and not usually prone to the problems of malocclusion and jaw abscesses, a serious concern for most of the dwarf breeds.

New Zealand’s personalities are also diverse, from quiet and gentle, to playful and friendly, to

downright bossy and devious! And, they have a good tendency to bounce back from adversity, retaining a love of people that I think is sometimes just miraculous. My first house bunny, Skye, is a perfect example of this. She was rescued by Animal Control after her owner threw her from a second-story balcony in order to “teach his son a lesson” about not caring for his pet rabbit. Skye survived the fall, but was blinded in one eye from the impact. Today, amazingly, she loves to climb to high places, jumping down from great heights. And, she loves people! I take her with me to education events where she thrills youngsters by licking their hands, tooth purrs for nose pets, and never complains when someone wants to hold or pet her.

Since I’ve begun rescuing, my household has grown to include five New Zealand Whites. Needless to say, they are my favorites (shh… don’t tell the others!). And, when I see them passed up in the shelters for the supposedly cuter dwarf breeds, I feel sad and know that people are really missing an opportunity to adopt a wonderful family companion.  At my home, it’s licks from Skye, gentle head butts from Winter, face washings from Jake, stretching out for long petting sessions with Steve, and crazy mischief from Maggie that I wouldn’t miss out on for the world!

If you’re thinking of adopting, give the New Zealands another look. They are loving, funny, easy to care for, and very, very, smart! I think you’ll be glad you did.

TEN THINGS TO DO TO HONOR INTERNATIONAL RABBIT DAY

(1) Buy a cruelty-free product. These are any items whose ingredients have not been tested on animals.  You will find cruelty free products at stores such as My Organic Market and Trader Joe’s. Look for the Leaping Bunny logo. Some brands include Jason, Avalon, Aveda, etc. For more info about companies with cruelty-free products, visit www.leapingbunny.org or click on their link on RabbitWise’s� Rabbit Advocate page.  They will send you a free pocketsize shopping guide upon request.

(2) Write a letter to a restaurant you know has rabbit on the menu and request that they remove it. Recently a local Maryland restaurant, Caf� des Artistes, agreed to stop serving rabbit when The Natural Rabbit group, RabbitWise� volunteers, and other devoted rabbit lovers flooded the owners with letters and information about rabbits.  Your voice matters!

(3) On September 25, have a vegetarian meal. Rabbits really dig their salads! Learn to eat like a rabbit.

(4) Volunteer for a rabbit rescue or advocacy group like RabbitWise� or help out at a local animal shelter. Saving an animal’s life enriches the soul and uplifts the human race.

(5)  Foster a rabbit and experience the joy of sharing your home with one. Many groups can assist you with finding a rabbit. Visit RabbitWise�'s Adopt A Rescued Rabbit page for links to our local rabbit shelters and organizations.

(6)  Make a donation to an animal shelter, rabbit rescue and advocacy group.  Funds are always desperately needed to provide medical care for fostered and abandoned rabbits, to promote education about rabbits, and to find  good homes.

(7)  Shop at www.caf�press.com. Many groups, such as RabbitWise� and House Rabbit Society, have stores located there with items for sale, e.g. tote bags, mugs, T-shirts, even lunch boxes and camisoles!  A percentage of the profit goes to support these groups to help the rabbits.

(8)  For the next celebration, a child’s birthday, baby shower, or other special occasion, introduce children to rabbits and humane care of all living beings early in their development.  Get a rabbit doll or books with rabbits as main characters, such as Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit Stories.

(9)  Send a letter to Animal Planet on cable or PBS, and tell them that you want to see some shows/documentaries about rabbits.  They are one of the least understood animals and sadly, exploited as food, fur, and fiber. We need to get the word out how wonderful these creatures are to stop this exploitation

(10)   Boycott shops that sell rabbit fur clothing and linings. Write letters to their corporate headquarters and complain.  For example:  Lord and Taylor is currently selling a whole line of rabbit fur items. UGG boots, a very popular item from last year, has just released a new line of $400 boots trimmed with rabbit fur. COMPLAIN!