** What's New? at House Rabbit Society - Holiday Edition **


*** A Special Holiday Message **

This year as House Rabbit Society celebrates our 15th year of
saving rabbits, we are grateful for our tremendous volunteers--
the educators, fosterers, chapter managers, and all of the local
volunteers around the world--who work so hard, and give so much
of themselves, to support our mission: rescuing rabbits and
educating the public on house rabbit care. Without our volunteers,
we could not be where we are today: the only international rabbit
protection organization, growing every day with 31 chapters in 22
US states, and educators and fosterers in 12 additional states,
plus Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia, with a combined
number of rescued rabbits now approaching 15,000. We are also
thankful for our thousands of supporters around the world, who
with their membership fees and donations have brought us to where
we are today. Thank you for your support, and have a peaceful
holiday season.

Margo DeMello, Outgoing President and Executive Director

Marinell Harriman, Founder & Incoming President and Executive Director



*** Your Bunny and the Holidays ***

It's holiday season again - a time of year that can be both fun
and stressful for you and your rabbit. In the midst of all your
holiday preparations, check out this article containing many
tips to keep your bunny safe and happy over the holiday season.

http://www.rabbit.org/care/holidays.html



*** Holiday Greeting Cards ***

Minnesota House Rabbit Society

An artistic volunteer at the Minnesota House Rabbit Society
Chapter has created charming greeting cards for the 2003
Holiday Season. The two-tone illustration depicts a contented
house rabbit...'with visions of carrots, dancing in his head'.
Several Minnesota chapter members are personalizing the cards
by hand-coloring different sections of it.

The Minnesota Chapter was founded in Spring of 2002. They set
annual goals and work hard to meet them. In 2003, they have
almost doubled their membership. Their fostering capabilities
have increased 200%. Public education is a high priority,
with a serious focus on shelters state wide.

Please help the Minnesota Chapter flourish so that they may
continue their vital work on behalf of homeless Midwestern
rabbits.

Their Holiday cards are available in packages of 10 and 25
and will certainly delight all who receive them.
www.mnhouserabbit.org/holiday_card.htm



*** Trees of Hope ***

Columbus, Ohio Chapter

In the Spring of this year, the Columbus Chapter of the
House Rabbit Society created the enormously clever 'Make
Mine Chocolate' campaign; selling adorable pins that looked
like little chocolate Easter bunnies.

Now, for the Winter holidays, the Columbus Chapter has once
again developed a unique & innovative holiday fund-raising
concept called 'Trees of Hope':
www.columbusrabbit.org/Trees.htm

Please purchase a personalized virtual ornament and help the
Columbus Chapter decorate these trees to overflowing so that
they may continue to help all of the deserving rabbits in
their foster care program.



*** Very Special Holiday Ornaments ***

Sacramento Chapter offers "Radkos for Rabbits"

On December 6th, the Sacramento House Rabbit Society Chapter
will have a booth at the popular Sutter Street Christmas Gift
Fair (in Folsom, CA) where they will be selling highly
collectible Christmas ornaments from both the Christopher
Radko and Slavic Treasure collections. Over 100 stunning
pieces, many of them rabbit-themed, were donated to the
Sacramento Chapter by a very generous member. The ornaments
can be views on the SHRS website:
http://www.allearssac.org/Ornaments1.html

Sacramento HRS welcomes everyone to join them at this
holiday celebration in historic Old Town Folsom (just east
of Sacramento).

36th Annual Sutter Street Christmas Gift Fair
Old Town Folsom
December 6, 2003
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
HRS booth will be next to the Hacienda parking lot,
near the Firehouse Boutique

Please direct all inquires about the ornaments (including
prices) to Sacramento Chapter Co-Manager Jill Walker at:
jill@...



*** Holiday Greeting Cards ***

Maryland/Washington D.C./North Virginia Chapter

The MD/DC/NoVA chapter of House Rabbit Society is once again
offering colorful holiday greeting cards. These 5"x 7" 4-color
cards come in four versions: one with five different rabbits on
the front and "Season's Greeting" on the inside, along with an
educational message on the back. The second version depicts a
multi-species household with the caption "Peace on Earth" inside
and also has an educational message on the back. The third card
has two rabbits touching noses under the mistletoe with "Happy
Holidays" on the inside, and the fourth shows a rabbit and cat
looking out a snowy window with "Wishing you Warmth and
Happiness" on the inside.

The MD/DC/NoVA chapter is one of House Rabbit Society's oldest
chapters serving an enormous geographic area and assisting
nineteen local animal shelters. Their volunteers keep busy
fostering, running educational events, selling supplies, and
much more.

The holiday cards are available in packages of 12 and can be
viewed at: http://www.rabbitsinthehouse.org/xmascrds.htm



*** San Diego Chapter Hosts Holiday Party ***

The San Diego Chapter is getting ready for their annual holiday
party/fundraiser to be held on Wednesday December 10th. This
event is a great way to meet other rabbit-loving people, support
House Rabbit Society through the Holiday Raffle and share great
vegetarian potluck. Gifts and toys for your rabbit will be
available for purchase along with HRS calendars, HRS tee-shirts
and more.

For more information, please call (619)718-7777 or visit:
www.sandiegorabbits.org



** House Rabbit Society Holiday Ornaments **

High quality ceramic ornaments featuring the official House
Rabbit Society logo are now available in traditional holiday
colors. They will look equally wonderful hanging from your
holiday tree or from your rear-view mirror! 100% of all
profits go to House Rabbit Society. Please go to:

http://www.cafeshops.com/hrsornaments



*** Books are Wonderful Holiday Gifts ***

House Rabbit Handbook: How to Live With an Urban Rabbit
by House Rabbit Society founder Marinell Harriman, is a
comprehensive and informative guide. Topics cover
everything you need to know about sharing your home with
a house rabbit.

Stories Rabbits Tell, a marvelous book by HRS President
Margo DeMello & award-winning journalist Susan E. Davis,
is full of information about the life and history of the
rabbit.

For these and all other books on your holiday shopping
list, please remember to use the House Rabbit Society link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/houserabbitsocie
Five per cent of every purchase from amazon.com will then
go to House Rabbit Society.

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*** 98 Memberships Away From Our 2003 Goal - Join Today! ***
We set a goal of 750 online membership signups this year.
We're currently at 652. Please join today or purchase a
membership as a holiday gift and help us reach our goal.
The cost is only $18 or $25 for international. We accept
Mastercard, Visa and Amex. All members receive our
publication, House Rabbit Journal.

http://www.rabbit.org/hrs-info/joining.html


** On behalf of the rabbits, thank you. **

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