What's New? at House Rabbit Society - June 2004


** California Rabbits Confiscated in Cruelty Case

On May 12, after a two day House Rabbit Society
investigation, HRS and East Bay Animal Advocates
volunteers joined 3 Animal Control officers in confiscating
29 rabbits from a private residence in Hayward CA. The
rabbits were kept in unimaginably horrific conditions. All
the rabbits (plus 2 others, later relinquished to Hayward
Animal Control) are currently in HRS quarantined foster
care. Several require medical treatment, some extensive.

Hayward Animal Control Services will be presenting a
report to the Alameda County District Attorney's office
later this month; recommending that "cruelty" and
"failure
to provide medical care" charges be filed against the
Hayward couple that kept these poor rabbits.
Additionally, Hayward Animal Control will propose that
the couple never again be allowed to keep rabbits.

When the District Attorney receives the report, we ask
that you write to his office in support of prosecution of this
heinous crime. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/37osd for
background on this case. Check this same page regularly
for updates and look for the announcement that Your
Letter To The District Attorney is NEEDED NOW. We
MUST demonstrate to the DA's office that cruelty to
rabbits is as big a concern to the public as it is for other
species.

All of the Hayward rabbits are being spayed and neutered.
A few have required other surgeries and yet others will
require long-term care. Taking care of the Hayward
rabbits, on top of the usual four to five dozen rabbits in the
care of the HRS National Shelter and its fosterers, has
driven the House Rabbit Society veterinary bill to over
$11,000. We need your support now, more than ever
before. Please, donate whatever you can.

Please remember too, many of our chapters have led such
large rescues as well, and all could use your support. To
specifically support the medical fund for the Hayward
rabbits, you can securely donate to:

http://www.guidestar.org/helping/donate.adp?ein=94-3061685

just put "Hayward rabbits" in the designation field. To
donate to another chapter's efforts, please visit their
website directly at: http://tinyurl.com/34hjw


** Proposed Rat & Rabbit Kill on Hawaiian Island

State and federal agencies want to rid little Lehua Island of
the rats and rabbits that have left it denuded and with
limited habitat for seabird nesting. For the full story, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/27fsn
http://tinyurl.com/29pw7


** Love All the Animals

The following letter, entitled "Love All the Animals" was
published in the New York Times on 5.30.04:

To the Editor:

Re "One Man's Cuddly Critter Is Another Man's
Varmint" (Week in Review, May 23):
Most people don't want to kill or harm animals they are
educated about. Compassion knows no bounds, and we
humans have plenty of compassion to share with all
animals, human and nonhuman. When we save animals,
we save ourselves.
SHERRIL DURBIN ~ Mounds, Okla, May 24, 2004


** Every HRS Chapter Needs a Bobby

A little rescued Dutch boy named Bobby earns his keep at
a shop in Northern Scotland.
http://tinyurl.com/ywvzr
http://tinyurl.com/38m82


** HRS Chapter Item of the Month

In July 2003, The Buckeye House Rabbit Society
http://www.ohare.org took a little girl bunny named Finn
into their foster program. Finn was born with a deformed
kneecap and, as she grew, her leg grew terribly twisted
forcing her good leg to grow twisted also. In March 2004,
surgery on Finn's right leg did not go as well as hoped;
some of her brittle bones shattered. Now, with her left leg
deformed as well, Finn's doctor feels that her only chance
at having an acceptable quality of life is to amputate her
right leg and have a custom-built cart, enabling Finn to be
sufficiently mobile. http://tinyurl.com/22f2m

In order to pay for the supplies and veterinary bills for
Finn and other bunnies in their foster program, the
Buckeye HRS Chapter sells lovely note cards, created for
the chapter, by Ohio artist Patti Seligman. Patti designed 4
cards, drawing charming pictures of her own animal family.
Each card includes important information about rabbit
care. The cards are bundled in packs of 12 (3 of each
design) for $9.00. http://tinyurl.com/2tbo9

All proceeds from the sale of these cards go directly to the
Buckeye Chapter foster program. So when you purchase
these cards, you're not only spreading the word that rabbits
are great indoor companions, you are also helping a bunny
in need, a bunny like Finn.


** House Rabbit Society Chapter Updates

* Las Vegas

Las Vegas HRS http://tinyurl.com/2zdll was recently
accepted as a Chapter in Training!

Chapter Manager, Maria Perez, currently directs a
Nevada Community Foundation, The Bunny Rescue Fund,
which supports local nonprofit organizations in their efforts
to spay/neuter and care for bunnies; place them for
adoption in caring homes; and provide necessary
education to their future owners. The Bunny Rescue Fund
hopes to incorporate as the Las Vegas House Rabbit
Society and will then grant the BRF monies to Las Vegas
HRS. The fund was specifically set up as a stepping-stone
to an HRS chapter.

In addition to educating the Las Vegas community about
rabbits and their care, this chapter will begin with three
primary focuses:

1) Golf Courses – Rabbit dumping on Las Vegas golf
courses is rampant, and, as they can have a litter of babies
every 30 days, the problem escalates quickly. Solutions to
this "problem" are, flooding their burrows and drowning
them, poisoning them, or burying them alive. There is no
any agency in Las Vegas to deal with this problem in a
more humane way.

2) Housing Developments - With the rapidly expanding
housing developments moving into the wilderness areas,
incidents of coyotes killing pets are on the rise. Las Vegas
HRS is designing an anti rabbit dumping campaign to
inform Las Vegas residents that if they do not want their
cat or dog eaten, they best stop dumping rabbits. Maria
Perez announces, "We will launch a media campaign to
drive membership and educational outreach promoting the
anti dumping campaign."

3) Climate - Another important issue in the Las Vegas
region is the scorching heat and how poorly domestic
rabbits handle the desert climate.

Congratulations Maria and welcome to HRS!


* Colorado

Colorado House Rabbit Society http://tinyurl.com/35fkw
welcomes Dr. Matthew Johnston to Colorado!! Dr.
Matthew Johnston is the new assistant professor of exotic
animal medicine at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching
Hospital at Colorado State University. He recently moved
to Fort Collins from Philadelphia, where he had completed
his exotic animal residency at the University of Pennsylvania
and served on staff for one year. While at Penn, he worked
closely with the HRS of Pennsylvania, helping to establish
Penn as a nationally recognized center for rabbit clinical
work. He is working to establish this same reputation here
at CSU. Colorado HRS Co-Chapter Manager Nancy
LaRoche writes, "We are delighted to have Dr. Johnston
at CSU! At last, we can expect our rabbits to receive
quality treatment there."

Colorado HRS announces, "SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
Our FLING WILL BE FLUNG!" The annual Colorado
HRS Spring Fling will be held on June 19th from 11:00 a.m.
until 3:00 p.m. at their beautiful chapter headquarters.
Though the Spring Fling 2004 is still in the planning stages,
they guarantee tons of fun for their members and their buns.


* New Jersey

In March and May, New Jersey House Rabbit Society
http://www.njhrs.com held community meetings in Old
Bridge and Whippany. At these meetings, chapter
representatives met with NJHRS members and supporters
and discussed volunteer opportunities with NJHRS to help
rabbits in need. NJHRS will be scheduling these meeting
throughout the year across the state.

NJHRS joined with the Monmouth County SPCA and
North Shore Animal League for a day of outreach and
adoption on April 23. They hope to continue partnering
with MCSPCA and NSAL for similar events in the future.

NJHRS, with the help of Sondra Edwards, participated in
Petco's annual Adoption Weekend, May 1 at the Edison
store. We had educational literature on proper rabbit care,
brought rabbits for adoption and were available to answer
questions. Two bunnies, Clooney and Belle, found a great
home! (NJHRS thanks Jenny Lach for providing Clooney
and Belle with a wonderful foster home until their recent
adoption.)

That same weekend, volunteers Nancy Amacker and Beth
Platner staffed the NJHRS table at the Totowa Petco that
same weekend. On Saturday, May 8, NJHRS Board
Member Tracy Turner, with the help of Tammy Spilliotis
and Lynn Zguro-Velluzi, staffed a table at PNC Bank's
Second Annual Pet Adoption Day. On that day, in addition
to distributing NJHRS information, networking and
answering questions, Tracy assisted the Monmouth
County SPCA and placed 5 shelter bunnies in homes. The
adopters went home laden with bunny care information.

NJHRS was recently contacted for their input on a book
called "Rabbits for Dummies". The book is described as a
useful reference for those who aren't experts as well as
those who know zero about rabbits. Even people who
know a thing or two about bunnies can benefit from this
book, as it's a reference for behavior and health. NJHRS
imparted valuable information to the author and NJHRS
will be acknowledged in the book.

NJHRS recently appeared on News12 New Jersey's
adoption segment titled "Furry Friends". The NJHRS
rabbits were a big hit. The producers were so pleased that
they have asked NJHRS to be regular on the show!
NJHRS thanks Andrea and Jo Lubin for arranging this
wonderful public outreach opportunity.


* Kansas City

The Kansas City MO Chapter http://tinyurl.com/393ws
held their first ever public Everything Bunny meeting on
May 15th at one of their vet's offices training rooms.
Attending bunnies received free nail trimmings and, for
those with long hair, free haircuts! Kansas City Chapter
will host these meetings on the 3rd Saturday of every
month. Potential adopters and those wishing to volunteer
with the chapter are more than welcomed to attend.

On Saturday June 5th, the Kansas City Chapter held an
adoption day at the Petsmart in Merriam, Kansas. On that
same day, the Kansas City Chapter was invited to
participate with all Kansas City rescue groups, to sell
chapter items at a local shopping mall.


* Alabama EARS

On May 1, EARS participated in the 25th Annual Do Dah
Day (an animal care awareness event in Birmingham). They
had a float in the parade and spent the afternoon educating
people from all over Alabama about bunny care and
behavior. Photos of the float and the parade can be found
at www.AlabamaEARS.org by following the link "events
2004."

EARS volunteers Connie Cowan and Connie Troop
organized a yard sale that brought in $850 for foster bun
care.

In June, EARS will be featured on the cover of Critter
Magazine! Paris Grey, EARS Corresponding Secretary
wrote an article entitled "Bringing up Bunny: 10 Tips for a
Happy and Healthy Bunny" for the premier issue of Critter
Magazine Birmingham, AL edition. The cover will feature
an EARS foster bunny and will include several foster rabbit
photos inside. The editor refers to it as the "bunny issue".

On May 20, Linda Howard, CM, and volunteer Connie
Cowan spoke at Critter Career Day at Helena Elementary
School. Linda and Connie spoke to a large group of
kindergardners, first and second graders about what it is
really like to live with rabbits. They also passed out the
HRS coloring book and lots of take home information for
those homes that already have rabbits.


* San Francisco/Peninsula

Evening Magazine, a hugely popular Bay Area television
program, recently filmed a show at San Francisco/
Peninsula HRS http://tinyurl.com/yskdd chapter manager
Donna Jensen's home. Evening Magazine ran a story
filmed at the HRS Richmond shelter a few months prior
and they weren't certain they wanted to do another rabbit
story, that is, until the producer went to Donna's home
and was impressed by Donna's work on behalf of rabbits.
The program will include this HRS chapter's work as well
as Donna's rescuing efforts from the Peninsula Humane
Society and, as Donna puts it, "The rabbits will be the
stars of this show."


* San Francisco/Marin

SF/Marin HRS Chapter http://www.saveabunny.com
participated in the Marin Human Race, a countywide
walk/run benefiting over 140 nonprofit agencies – and
won!! A regular chapter volunteer recruited her friend, a
champion, high school cross-country runner, to "RUN FOR
THE BUNS," and her friend was the first woman to win to
the race! Theses compassionate and caring volunteers,
both 17 years old, were each awarded $100 in prize
money, which they generously donated to SaveABunny!
Marin County Newspapers covered the event and
interviewed the winners who spoke on behalf of rabbits in
need.

SaveABunny-SF/ Marin Chapter bunnies are giving back
to the community, by sharing their love with people in need.
Chapter Manager, Marcy Schaaf, partners with Marin
Humane Society and San Francisco Animal Care and
Control to bring a rabbit for animal assisted therapy with
high risk and special needs children in San Francisco and
Marin. Many of these children are victims of domestic
violence and have witnessed acts of cruelty and abuse to
animals and people. For a few hours, they deeply respond
to the healing power of the unconditional love and
incredible softness and gentleness of a rescued rabbit that
they can kiss and share their secrets with.

Resident chapter sanctuary bunny, "Oinky," a dapper and
charismatic, senior gentleman chocolate and white Dutch
rabbit mingled with and wowed rock 'n roll legend Grace
Slick of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship at an art
exhibit and party featuring her artwork in a Sausalito
gallery. While Oinky had not officially RSVP'd to attend
the event... Chapter Manager Marcy Schaaf and volunteer,
Chris Asimos, figured that Oinky would fit right in with
Grace Slick's stunning artwork (many including white
rabbits) and her fondness for "breaking the rules."

As soon as Grace held Oinky she was mesmerized, as was
the entire crowd at the gallery. Grace told the crowd about
a neighbor from her childhood who always had 40 white
rabbits, and her sad realization later in life that he was
raising them for food and fur. Since then she has always
felt a special connection with rabbits and features them in
her music and artwork. Oinky was a highlight of the
evening, and shared the spotlight with Grace for the rest of
the event, meeting and touching the hearts of a good
portion of the attendees. http://tinyurl.com/yplk8

On June 5th, San Francisco/Marin Chapter hosted
"Bunderful", a fundraising garden party featuring a
scrumptious vegan and vegetarian dinner, fine wind and
live jazz. The event sold out early and received rave
reviews.


* Indiana

Indiana HRS Chapter http://www.indianahrs.org has been
very busy the past two months, participating in a host of
large, public-outreach events. In April, Indiana HRS
worked with the North Shore Animal League on the Tour
for Life event, Earth Day, and, participated with the
Humane Society of Indianapolis in a shelter fundraiser, the
Mutt Strut.

On May 1st, Indiana HRS ambitiously worked two events
on the same day, the 500 Kids Festival (50,000 people)
and a Pet Fest Adoptathon at the State Fairgrounds (3000
attendees) and finally, worked an 8 hour Rabbit Expo on
May 8th.

With December's "Home for the Holidays" adoption event
(15 adoptions), Indiana HRS provided complimentary
local and national HRS memberships for Humane Society
of Indianapolis (HSI) Rabbit Adopters. The drive was
designed to reduce re-surrenders and to provide the
necessary support critical for rabbits adopted from shelters
where rabbits are not altered prior to placement. After the
holiday promotion ended, Indiana made the decision to
extend the complementary local membership to HSI rabbit
adopters - to date, 26 have been issued. Indiana HRS
recently committed to expand this program statewide and
is working out the complex logistics of the program.

Indiana HRS trained Humane Society of Indianapolis
customer service, vet techs, and kennel staff on rabbit care,
behavior and adoptions. This chapter is currently working
with the shelter to rewrite all of their staff training for intake
profiles, behavior evaluation, rabbit care, and adoption
policies. The shelter was generous in sharing resources
and the feedback has been very positive.

Co-Chapter Manager, Amy Young-Leith will be serving as
a "peer trainer" for other shelters. The Indiana chapter has
been working with HIS, an excellent shelter model, for 4
years. Amy is currently developing resources for shelters
statewide, in an effort to help them build high-quality
rabbit adoption programs.



** Please Help Us Help All the Rabbits.

At this time when House Rabbit Society's needs are so
great, please consider providing additional support by
making as generous a tax-deductible donation as you
possibly can:

http://www.guidestar.org/helping/donate.adp?ein=94-3061685


** Join House Rabbit Society

If you are not a member of House Rabbit Society; please
take this opportunity to join us. A yearly tax-deductible
membership costs only $18, or $25 for international
memberships. All members receive the Society's
newsletter, The House Rabbit Journal. Please go to:
http://www.rabbit.org/hrs-info/joining.html


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