The Life and Times of Bunnies

The Sad Truth about Rabbit Overpopulation

I ran across this short little article today:

The Sad Truth About Rabbit Overpopulation

by Amy Shapiro

The House Rabbit Society exists because rabbits are being dumped at shelters every day of the year. Right now, as you read this, healthy rabbits are being killed at animal shelters simply because there are more wonderful rabbits than there are rabbit-people.

What can we do to stop the killing? Adopt from a shelter.

Do not allow your rabbit to have even one litter. Even if you find good homes for those babies, those are good homes that the shelter rabbits won’t get. And what if each of those babies is allowed to have one litter? Will you take responsibility for each of them finding a good home? I can guarantee thatwithin one or two generations a rabbit from that “just one litter” will end up dead at a shelter.

Talk to others about this problem. Many people are unaware of how many rabbits are being surrendered and euthanized at shelters-and compared to the ones who are dumped in fields, those at shelters are the lucky ones. Lucky to have a lethal overdose of sodium pentothal injected by a caring person!

What have we come to when that’s the best we can offer these guys? To purchase from a breeder or pet store is to write a death warrant for a shelter rabbit.

It’s as simple as that.

It made me very sad. My parents adopted me (I’ll tell you about it some other time) and Betsy, but I wonder how many of my litter-mates ended up in a shelter – or worse, let go into the wild. It gets very cold here in New England – I know. I can feel it through the drafty window in the livingroom. Betsy has told me all about what it’s like outside – the rain, the foxes, the snow… I would feel very, very sorry for any rabbit left out in that weather, especially if they had previously been living in a nice warm house. I mean, I’ll be the first to admit it – I’m domesticated. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to live on my own, without my well-trained parents here to bring me dinner. And the thought of ending up in a shelter… oh it just makes my fur stand on end!

So please, make sure you don’t encourage people to buy rabbits – or any pet, really – from a pet store or a breeder. Adopt instead – it is the responsible, mature thing to do. (My dad says “and spay and neuter your rabbits as well!”)

Okay everyone? Please? I’m going to go spend a moment of silence snuggled up with Betsy now, for all the rabbits left alone tonight. *sniff*

-Gus

The Couch

There’s this great spot to hide that my mom and dad have blocked off – it’s under the couch. It’s very nice under there – no one can find you! So recently I started chewing on the edge of the couch to get back under there. I found out that there is still some stuffing that I can pull out, and I had a great time making a huge mess of it all. It was great! It’s nice and dark under there, and I just love it.

But then my dad found out about my work, and he scolded me. He tickled me until I ran out from under the couch (how he fit his huge hands under there I don’t know, but he did) and then he blocked it up again. He said, “Betsy, no more chewing on the couch! That’s what your play table and cottontail cottage are for!” I don’t understand, I was just playing. He says the same sort of things when I dig in my litter box. Maybe he’s never tried it himself, that’s why he doesn’t know how much fun it is!

C’mon daddy, dig in the litterbox with me! It’s fun! And you just have to try chewing on the couch – it’s just the right texture!

-Betsy

Serious Grooming

This past weekend, I was traumatized by some serious grooming. Not the kind that Gus wants, but the kind that my mom and dad do to me. They picked me up and brushed me for so long, taking out some of the matted hair that had accumulated around my backside. Oh it was soooo scary! Whenever I can’t feel the ground underneath me, I get so nervous!

Still, I do feel a bit better – and I must admit my fur looks fantastic. Still, I hope they don’t pick me up again anytime soon!

-Betsy

Morning Spot

Lately I’ve been lying by the bedroom door, where I can see my parent’s bed in the morning. My daddy gets up later than my mommy, and Gus and I are anxious for our morning treats, so I wait there when the alarm goes off to make sure daddy gets up. Once I see him start to move, I run into the living room to wait for treats. I really like dried cranberries – so much so that I will tolerate my daddy touching me while I eat. Although Gus always grunts and tries to steal my treats. He’s such a pain sometimes!

-Betsy

NOT Grooming

So, my dad was giving me my morning treats today, and then he started pulling loose fur from my behind. Now, I know I’m a bit fuzzy back there, and granted, it is a lot better than being picked up and brushed, but still… well, I guess I am sort of shedding at the moment. And I guess it does feel a little bit better now that I don’t have big tufts of fur hanging off my backside. So I guess I’ll let it slide – this time.

On a side note, I was very excited to get breakfast this morning – I was hungry! So when dad brought the bowl around, I jumped for joy and did a total 360. Mmm-mmm, I just love the smell of greens in the morning!

-Gus

Pats

I love pats sometimes. Today my dad came home from work and gave me some pats – the nice kind that I really enjoy, right on my head, between my ears. My next favorite pat is when you stroke my whole head and ears, pushing them back. After that, I sometimes like to be patted right behind my head, between my ears. So nice, it’s like being groomed!

However, I do not like it when my mom ruffles the fur on my bum. Naughty mummy!

-Gus

Breakfast

I think someone forgot to put carrots in my breakfast this morning. I’ll have to chew his shoes for that one.

-Gus

Dinner

I do so enjoy dinnertime. It’s my favorite time of the day. After a long day of sleeping under the bed, I know I can come out and find a fresh bowl of tasty greens waiting for me. I especially enjoy eating just the leaves off of the parsley – and kale, oh kale!

Sometimes my dad holds a piece of carrot for me, so it doesn’t roll around on the floor as I eat it. I’ve got him so well trained.

-Gus

Digging

Oh, how I love digging. It’s one of my favorite activities. I took the time to do some digging today in my litter box. I can never quite get the litter arranged the way I want.

For some reason, I think I’m going to be hearing the scary vacuum cleaner going tonight. But that’s OK – I’ll be under the bed!

-Betsy

Welcome to my Bunny Blog!

Hello and welcome to “The Life and Times of Bunnies!” My name is Gus, and along with Betsy, this is our website!

We’re just getting started here, so please let us know what you think! Thanks!