Essie (for S.C. – Second Chance) is a very cute, sassy, and feisty lop-eared bunny who has a lot of love to give!
Essie came to Rabbit Rescue after she was placed on a euthanasia list at a shelter in Quebec after being returned twice for biting, and given only days to live. Unfortunately she does have a bite history, and she does bite hard. There’s a few reasons behind it! Poor Essie had a double middle ear infection, which has since cleared up, but imagining the pain she must have been in it’s no wonder she was biting. She also can’t hear very well, so if she is “snuck up” on, she may turn around and bite. However, she’s definitely gotten used to her foster mom approaching and just wants to spin around with excitement when approached now.
Despite her bite history, Essie has come such a long way! With her double ear infections gone, she no longer lunges or bites at her foster mom, but will nibble from time to time to get her attention or tell her she’s in the way (the sass!). Essie needs someone who is willing to be patient as she adjusts to a new environment. It is absolutely worth it because earning her trust means you will see her live her best life, with binkies, zoomies, tons of chinning, and even kisses! You know you’re her human when she sits there and lets you pluck her fur tufts from the “danger zone”, which happens to be by that itsy bitsy dewlap under that cute bun-mouf.
Essie loves to run around and jump, so for this reason she should have as much free-roam time as possible. Her favourite spot is the cat tree (minus the cats of course). She loves to dig at the bottom and flop. Her least favourite thing? Moving blankets, she needs to attack and grunt at them at all costs. Don’t adjust them for her either, she can do it herself because she’s a strong independent ladybun! Try not to be too far away from her though, because she does love her people. If you move to another room – she will follow you. Her favourite treat is banana, and oh boy does she have happy butt twitches when she gets it!
Essie is pretty good with her litter habits. She’s gotten better over time, but does tend to pee on “soft” things like dog beds and couches (though we think that’s because foster mom has other animals so Essie needs things to smell like her too). She’ll occasionally poop outside of her litter box, but it’s still contained within her “home base” xpen. Speaking of litter, she likes to dig and lay down in it, so either cleaning it daily or having a soft grate-system would help!
It is important for anyone interested in adopting Essie to be prepared to work with her to make her feel safe and secure – and be willing to commit to her forever, even if she can be a bit bite-y. She is currently in a foster home that is working hard to show her that humans are safe so she can warm up and be more comfortable. While Essie is available for adoption, it is important to know that Essie may bite when scared/startled and needs a loving, patient home who understands her unique personality. She would do best in a home without young children and other pets, as she can be territorial with other non-rabbit animals. We think Essie would be able to bond with another bunny, preferably one who was more submissive and calm.
She more than makes up for her unique quirks by being a truly special bun. Essie deserves a wonderful family to call her own, and we hope her perfect forever home is reading this and is willing to take a chance on this second chance bun!