Click the image below to read the full article, featuring an interview with Executive Director of Rabbit Rescue Haviva Porter!
Year of the Rabbit – Global News Interview
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Author Archives: Brittany Hamilton
Ginger & Cookie
Ginger and Cookie are chameleons – at a glance, they may look identical, but when shedding season comes they’ll take turns shapeshifting and showing off the most amusing patterns, such as Ginger’s heart snoot and Cookie’s “pants.” They also have very decided pet preferences; Ginger is partial to front ear scritches while Cookie prefers a solid forehead rub. They will not be shy to boop you for more pets when they want them. They also will not hesitate to sass with some opinionated thumps! They are good with well behaved small dogs.
Ginger and Cookie are dainty divas with rabbitude! They are big on thumping their displeasure, which means you’ll never have to wonder what they think. You might even be able to hold a conversation with them based on thump-responses alone. It’s endless entertainment with these opinionated ladies!
Ginger and Cookie love their edible Timothy hut and have developed a taste for palm leaf chew toys and balls.They love hideaways and tight spaces and would love a tunnel or two or some hideaways for daytime. They very much enjoy their double-flop bed where they will chill out together for a midday snooze. They’ve had the chance to claim the underside of the couch and made themselves comfortable in their closet as well as any and all boxes they have access to.
The girls are also connoisseurs of crunch — whether it be willow balls, timothy huts or palm leaf toys– and gourmands who prefer second cut Timothy hay and any type of pellets as long as they can share. Few things are as cute as their synchronized munching, so serving them is an honor.
They did discover that the top of the hay bin was a great spot to sploot and survey their kingdom, so they might appreciate some sort of elevated spots where they can stake their ground.
They are also natural entertainers; an open space is a zoomie paradise, and if you give them a few boxes and tunnels, there will be an endless amount of hopping, climbing and redecorating to their exact specifications.
Ginger and Cookie came to the rescue after being placed on a euthanasia list at a Quebec shelter due to overcrowding. This sweet pair of wonderful buns are spayed, vaccinated, and ready to find their forever home!
Rabbit Rescue in the CBC
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RR in National Geographic
Why animal shelters are facing a new crisis
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Stitch & Mertle
Meet Stitch & Mertle, the brother and sister duo! These two are with the owner who is looking to surrender them, and they are looking for their forever home. Stitch was born on June 19, 2021 and is neutered and vaccinated against RHDV. Mertle was born on August 20, 2021 and is vaccinated against RHDV. She will be spayed upon finding an adopter.
This adorable pair are the perfect example of monkey see, money do! Their favourite activities include eating hay, playing with rattles, running through their tunnel or just lounging around cuddling on their blankets. Although they are bonded, their personalities are quite different. Stitch is outgoing and a bit wild while Mertle is shyer and quieter. Stitch likes to run and jump and sit in his hay dispenser while Mertle likes to chill around and cuddle. Stitch definitely helps Mertle be braver which is why they are the best pair!
If this fun loving pair sound like the buns for you, apply to adopt them today!
Pleakley
Pleakley is a shy bunny who is looking for his forever home! He is with his owner who needs to surrender him to find him an adoptive home. He was born on August 20th, 2021 and is neutered, litter trained, and vaccinated against RHDV.
Pleakley is a shy guy who takes some time to warm up to new people. He is VERY food motivated though, and you can build his trust with treats (his favourite is apple!). Once he decides a new person isn’t scary, he looooves some good head pats.
He is a fan of sunbathing in the window, basking in the rays of sunshine. He also loves to run around and play in tunnels, hide under blankets, cuddle his stuffed pig, and play-fight with his cat friend. He really enjoys spending time with the cats in his current home.
This handsome bun is looking for his forever home – if he sounds like the bun for you, apply to adopt him today!
Ella
Meet sweet Ella, who is contemplating why she is still not adopted! Ella came to Rabbit Rescue in March 2022 after being dumped outside with a few other rabbits. She was quite a challenge to capture, as she knew her outdoor environment well – including all the hiding spots!
Ella would like everyone to know that she is a perfectly pleasant rabbit. She may not have colourful spots or floppy ears, but don’t underestimate this lovely brown bun – she is such a wonderful girl! She doesn’t mind pets or being picked up (like for nail trims), though she doesn’t always actively seek out attention. She does actively seek out treats and veggies though! Food is the way to her heart. Ella did not enjoy being contained in an x-pen and is much happier with a room of her own where she can free roam and explore. She will still test barriers to see if she can go on further adventures. Ella is a voracious reader, though to her that means helping you read by nibbling the corners of your books. She occasionally will nibble on fabric items or the carpet but for the most part leaves the furniture and baseboards alone.
Ella likes to greet each morning with binkies and Bunny 500’s, which can be heard throughout the house. This seems to be how she tells you she is waiting for her breakfast! Once she’s done her morning exercise and has had breakfast she lounges next to the window, enjoying the sunshine. Sometimes she likes to tuck herself in behind the curtains.
She would likely do well with a submissive male bun to bond to but wouldn’t like a bossy companion. She doesn’t like to be pushed around! She would do well as a solo rabbit as long as she gets plenty of attention from her forever family. Ella has met dogs and is fine with them.
Ella is excited and ready to start the next chapter of her life with her forever family. She can’t wait for someone to apply to adopt her and offer her all the love she deserves!
Rabbit Rescue in the CBC
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Tulle
From the very moment he arrived into foster care, Tulle has been the most friendly and gentle bunny who will greet you with nose boops, a kiss on the arm or cheek, and then will show you how fast he can zoom around the room in excitement!
Tulle came to Rabbit Rescue in August 2021 from a local shelter that reached out for help placing him in a foster environment as he wasn’t happy in the shelter – and we certainly understand why. Tulle loves to be around his people and does best when he has room to stretch his legs. He was born in the spring of 2021 and is neutered and vaccinated.
At the moment he doesn’t like head pats – he will sometimes give you a hard stare as if to say “that’s inappropriate!” but he accepts a human’s boop back at him. He is a great companion to hang out with – whether it’s watching TV, reading a book, or being entertained by him! Who doesn’t want 24/7 bunn-o-vision featuring Tulle!
To Tulle, humans make great jungle gyms. He likes to crawl under his foster mom’s knees when she sits down on the floor. He will then race through tunnels, turn corners, and when he’s tired he will flop on his side for a nap. He likes his time out and will often find a new spot near the wall for a snooze. He will also sniff his humans lots – he’s curious if they have a tasty snack and likes to double check in case they forgot to share. After all, snacks are for sharing! It’s the Tulle motto. He is a big fan of most greens, and will climb you like a ladder to get to them faster!
Tulle is a pretty brave bunny, though he sometimes gives a nervous look to the vacuum if it gets too close to his pellets. He once confided in his foster mom that he is the only vacuum she’ll ever need, and will gladly eat any stray pellets off the floor. He’s thinking of turning it into a career – door to door bun vacuum services. He is 100% certain there is a market. If you need a bunny to do a pellet on the floor inspection, Tulle is your bun!
Like most rabbits he is not a fan of being picked up, so grooming should be done with all four paws on the floor. Strange or distant noises outside the window can startle him, but don’t you worry, Tulle will warn everyone with a loud thump or two, until the coast is clear. He protects his humans and his favourite toys!
He likes to chew slippers and he does have a taste for delicious baseboards, so bunproofing is needed. However he does listen to his foster mom when she tells him “no” – he’s a clever boy!
If you’re looking for a buppy (bun-puppy), Tulle might just be the bun for you! He races to the door in the morning excited for pellets, which he likes to forage for in his treat board. He’s always happy and eager to see his people.
He’s funny, adorable and sweet, and eager to find his forever home. Don’t make him wait any longer, apply to adopt this wonderful bun!
Spotted a Dumped Domestic Rabbit?
Piper
After 3 years in foster care, Piper is more than ready to find her forever home!
Piper was found outside as a stray and caught by wonderful volunteers. She loves being a house bunny. In fact, she did a series of elegant little binkies within minutes of being indoors.
Piper doesn’t sit around! She is very playful, curious, smart, creative, loves stacking cups, her treat board puzzle, her treat ball with pellets, and even some cat toys!
Piper is obsessed with food. Sometimes she will race around the room and do binkies when she hears the sink running. She knows when it’s salad time! Next, she jumps up onto her hidey house to see what delicious greens are on the menu. She loves most greens especially cilantro and parsley. She will then give you a very serious stare as if to say “ahem, dinner is bit late but I’m being polite!”
Piper eats LOADS of hay and has perfect litter habits. She loves long apple branches – she’s smart and knows bunnies need safe things to look after their teeth! She creative and has even carved a willow stick into a heart!
Piper is a medium to big bunny – about 8 lbs. She soft and cuddly when she trusts you. She’s super active and does amazing popcorns and adorable zoomies. She likes a nose rub and ear massage. She does not like being brushed or nail trims, so she gets a treat after and doesn’t take long to forgive you.
She likes to look out the window in the evening, sitting on a chair. In the afternoon she will snooze under it on the tile floor, pretending to sleep but really waiting for sounds of the treat jar.
She sometimes likes to tunnel and get lost under a blanket. She’s always looking for something fun to do.
Piper is into a bit of Feng Shui – she has moved her water bowl to the south wall and likes to make adjustments to her hidey house and hay box when necessary!
When her foster mum comes home, Piper races around and then gets on her hind legs so her foster mom can blow her a kiss and then she does a happy adorable twirl. She knows it’s time for a few yummy pellets!
Are you ready for action, cuddles and excitement? Then Piper is your gal! She is a funny, pretty and happy bunny. Anyone who adopts her is really lucky to share in her adorable antics and sweetness!
Help Rabbit Rescue by Applying to Foster!
Click the image below to download our Foster Application!
COVID-19 Protocols
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Rabbit Rescue continues to stay open to save rabbits in need.
You can find our COVID-19 Safety Protocols here.
What To Do If You See A Domestic Stray Rabbit
If you see a domestic rabbit loose, it has likely been dumped outside and will not survive if left on its own, especially as the weather gets colder. It is important to either catch a stray rabbit or report it to Rabbit Rescue.
More information on how to catch a bun and what to do can be found here.
Liz Dieckmann – Online Store Manager
Liz’s love for animals started as a child on her family farm in Germany. After a move to Ireland, her animal size needed to be reduced to smaller companions which is when she rescued her first bun called Paws. He was followed by a rascal bun called Schlappy.
In 2018, Liz moved to Canada where she met her partner John, who coincidentally also had a rabbit called Flappy. It seemed like a good match since she had a passed bun with a similar name to his. After Flappy passed, they wanted to help other buns in need. A friend shared a Rabbit Rescue post of two young buns who only had 24 hours to live after being placed on a euthanasia list at a Quebec shelter due to overcrowding. They needed an urgent foster home and Liz couldn’t say no! Chip and Dale were two fluff balls who they couldn’t let go so they adopted them, joining the beloved “foster fail” club. Now they are Tony and Lenny with Tony being named after Tony Beets from Gold Rush. They are identical!!! Lenny, also known as couch bun, is featured in the picture with Liz.
Since adopting the boys, Liz wanted to help more and more. She started by taking urgent foster buns and has now joined Rabbit Rescue as the Online Store Manager.
Liz can be reached at store@rabbitrescue.ca
Better Together! Adopt A Pair from Rabbit Rescue
Brittany Hamilton – Adoptions and Foster Manager
Brittany became actively involved in rabbits and animal welfare in 2007, when Trixie (pictured below) came into her life sick and needing veterinary care. She quickly realized the lack of information and protections surrounding rabbits as pets. From that point forward, she began to take in injured and chronically ill rabbits, nursing them back to health with the help of an amazing vet, and offering them a place to stay with her. Throughout the years, she has shared her home with many animals in need, including rabbits (of course!), cats, dogs, chinchillas, hamsters, mice… the list goes on!
In October 2018, after volunteering with Rabbit Rescue for a few years, she was offered the position of Adoptions and Foster Manager. She gladly accepted, thrilled to be able to assist more rabbits in need.
Brittany currently lives with her bunnies Peach, Jeff, & TicTac who have taken over her home and her Instagram account! Peach was adopted from Rabbit Rescue in December 2018, and is a constant reminder of the amazing work Rabbit Rescue does to save bunnies every day!
Brittany can be reached at brittany@rabbitrescue.ca
Rabbit Rescue & Bradford Today
“Since Easter, a time when some people buy bunnies as gifts, Rabbit Rescue has assisted with 83 dumped domestic rabbits, said its executive director Haviva Porter.”
Read the full article here
Rabbit Rescue on the CBC!
After rescuing 12 bunnies (4 adults and 8 babies) from a cardboard box dumped at Brimley Woods Park, CBC’s Here and Now reached out to discuss the epidemic of dumped bunnies after Easter.
Listen here:
Vegas Bunnies, Part II
On April 17th, Rabbit Rescue received our second round of Las Vegas bunnies. Working closely with rescue, Erin from “Rusty and Furriends” in Las Vegas, and Jodi and Rodney, our stellar drivers, we were able to successfully transport TWENTY rabbits. We donated space & all travel costs for 5 rabbits that we delivered to rescues in the USA and 15 came to us. Erin worked tirelessly to prepare the rabbits for this long transport. From fecal testing, health checks and certificates, to emergency packs, toys, treats and water bottles! A number of truly wonderful and selfless people opened up their homes across the USA to welcome these 20 buns into their homes for overnights. Its no small feat to set up housing and look after that many bunnies! This trip could not have been done without them. HUGE thanks to our amazing foster homes, who greeted these bunnies with open arms once in our care. A number of these bunnies had forever homes lined up for them, and they were adopted upon arrival. We still have a number of these adorable bunnies up for adoption, including a few from “round one”. Please visit the adoption page to find the right bunny for you! Thank you to everyone who donated to the GoFund me travel fund that helped us raise full travel fees in less than 24 hours!
Most of the bunnies that we received from Vegas are from the “dumping grounds” and their situation was critical. However a few of the rabbits we got were living in shelters for up to SEVEN years! We are so grateful for the shelter staff for taking such good care for them for so long. We were honoured to spring them from the shelter.
Talmadge is one of the bunnies that came to us from Vegas, although she almost didn’t make the trip! The day before transport was leaving, she got badly injured by another bunny. She had emergency surgery but had to stay overnight at the vets. Transport was supposed to leave the next morning at 5am, but we were able to delay it, so that Talmadge could get vet clearance to come too! The vet approved her as safe to travel to Canada, and off she went with the other 19 bunnies. Our drivers took superb care of her and ensured her health and well being. She had been living at a shelter for the last FIVE years. After the first year, she lost her bunny mate and has been on her own for the last 4 years. So, it was so important that she did not get left behind, as her new life was waiting to begin.