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


** Rabbit Meadows Sanctuary Saves Hundreds!

The Rocky Reach Dam in Wenatchee, Washington, has
long been a dumping ground for rabbits who are no longer
wanted. As they breed and their numbers multiply,
hundreds of domestic rabbits and many guinea pigs are
left in a situation where they have to fend for themselves.
Ill equipped to do this, they suffer all manner of painful
deaths from disease, predators, and cars. The Wenatchee
Humane Society has taken on the ambitious job of
trapping and relocating ALL of these rabbits and guinea
pigs (approx. 300 rabbits and 100 guinea pigs) to the
Rabbit Meadows Sanctuary (http://tinyurl.com/6jkog)
where they will be safe and happy, as they all deserve to
be.

Rabbit Meadows is a Best Little Rabbit, Rodent & Ferret
House Sanctuary. This sanctuary also houses foster
rabbits for Washington House Rabbit Society. Rabbit
Meadows Sanctuary needs to install additional habitats for
these new residents. If you would like to contribute to
this rescue effort, please go to:
http://www.RabbitRodentFerret.org

* Rabbits at Dam to be Moved to Sanctuary
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Staff and News Services

Wenatchee -- The Wenatchee Valley Humane Society
and the Chelan County Public Utility District plan to round
up more than 300 rabbits on the grounds of the Rocky
Reach Dam and send them packing.

The domestic bunnies, which were let loose in the wild,
have been living and breeding on the grassy knolls above
the dam for more than 20 years.

Officials plan to move them to Rabbit Meadow, an animal
sanctuary in Redmond where, officials say, they won't be
threatened by disease, predators, vehicles and cold.

Each rabbit must be examined and spayed or neutered
before it will be accepted at the sanctuary. The Public
Utility District expects to pay more than $17,500 in
veterinary bills.



** Make Mine Chocolate!

Each year, unwanted former Easter rabbits fill local rabbit
rescues and humane societies. The goal of the "Make
Mine Chocolate!" campaign is to break the cycle of
purchase and relinquishment by educating the public about
the responsibilities involved in keeping a companion rabbit
before a purchase is made.

The Columbus House Rabbit Society launched the "Make
Mine Chocolate!" campaign in 2002 to support its local
rescue efforts. Now, its goal is to expand the campaign
nationally. To accomplish this, it needs individuals and
organizations to spread the message to their communities.

If you represent a rabbit rescue, humane society,
veterinary clinic, or animal welfare organization, or you,
as an individual, are currently working in rabbit rescue,
please consider partnering with the Columbus chapter.
Write to: mmcinfo@...

To learn more about the "Make Mine Chocolate!"
campaign, go to: http://www.makeminechocolate.org

In addition to the ever-popular "Make Mine Chocolate!"
pins, the Columbus chapter now offers tees, sweatshirts
and magnets carrying the message: "Make Mine
Chocolate! Easter's no fun for a REAL bun!" To see
these new items, please go to:
http://www.makeminechocolate.org/products.htm



** It's Official: Travis is the Oldest Living Rabbit

House Rabbit Society received a lovely holiday card from
Marlene Larkin of Kennesaw, GA. Marlene wrote that her
little boy Travis has been recognized by the Guinness Book
of World Records as the "oldest living rabbit." Travis is
13 1/2 years old. Travis has received the official
certificate.

Marlene says Travis's favorite things are stretching out in
front of a warm fire, bunny back rubs, and banana.

(* Editor's note: It is strongly recommended that everyone
install a fireplace, practice bunny massage, and keep a
large supply of bananas on hand.)


** Rory and the Duchess

HRS San Diego was recently lucky to get one of those
"chance encounters" that can turn into a great education
opportunity. Through San Diego Animal Support
Foundation's media coordinator Darlene White, HRS gets
several opportunities throughout the year to bring bunnies
to local TV stations. These opportunities allow us to
promote rabbits for adoption and to educate the public
about rabbit care.

While taking a foster bunny to be promoted on the FOX 6
NEWS "Animal House" segment, HRS volunteer Judith
Pierce and her foster bunny Rory had the opportunity to
meet the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. The Duchess
was at the studio doing an interview regarding a Weight
Watchers fund-raiser at the San Diego Zoo. As she left
the studio, she happened to look into the room where
Judith and Rory were waiting their turn, and decided to
come over to meet "the sweet bunny."

While petting Rory, Ms. Ferguson asked many very good
questions about him, and rabbits in general, including "Why
are they given up?" and "What are Rory's needs?" Judith
was able to educate her on the problem of rabbits being
purchased by people who have no idea how to care for
them, about the importance of spay/neuter, and about the
HRS rescue and adoption program in general. Sarah
Ferguson became quite fond of little Rory in the short time
she spent with him, and stated "If I lived here, I would
adopt this little bunny." Too bad she doesn't, but Judith
let the Duchess know that there are many great rabbit
rescue organizations in the U.K., and since her children
are a bit older now (in their early teens), a rabbit might
be a good pet for her family. The Duchess agreed, and
added that she might look up the rescue groups when she got.
home.

Since the Duchess asked many good questions and
seemed truly interested in their answers and the plight of
abandoned domestic rabbits, we hope this opportunity
will have gained HRS and other rabbit rescue groups a
new champion for their cause. http://tinyurl.com/3phog



** The Fortunate Ones: A Very Special Donation

Several months ago, renowned rabbit artist Lisa Anne
Nicolai contacted HRS after reading about the Hayward
Rescued Rabbits and generously offered to do a portrait
of them. After months of anticipation, Lisa Anne recently
sent us the finished piece, "The Fortunate Ones." Lovingly
drawn are five of the fortunate rabbits who were rescued
from a living hell in Hayward CA; Albert, Angel, Benton,
Johanna and Michael. Lisa Anne donated the image so
that we could use it on items in our cafepress shop:
http://www.cafepress.com/hayward_rabbits/474090

Lisa Anne Nicolai's passion for rabbits, particularly
rescued rabbits, is clearly seen in her art:
www.cafepress.com/runningrabbit
Lisa Anne uses her artistic gifts to help rabbits, donating
10% of the profits to The Bunny Bunch Rabbit Rescue,
House Rabbit Society, Petsave/Rabbit911 and Best
Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah or, as is the case with
"The Fortunate Ones", donating the original art to the
rescue, enabling them to use the piece to raise funds. Lisa
Anne is currently working on a drawing of Lucky.

Lisa Anne also does private commission work. Although
her primary focus is rabbits, she is open to incorporating
other animals into her work: birds, cats, dogs, and guinea
pigs. Prices start at $75. The costs will depend on several
factors, including the number of animals in the piece,
matting, framing, etc.
Contact Lisa Anne Nicolai at: runningrabbit@...



** Bardot Supports Ban on Hare-Coursing

Kudos to Brigette Bardot for standing up for the animals
once again. http://tinyurl.com/4xw2f



** Valentine's Day Post Cards!

Want to have some fun? Now you can create and send
picture-perfect rabbit valentines and postcards to your
friends and family! Just visit the SaveABunny website at:
http://www.saveabunny.com/postcards. It's easy and free.
Select a card, add a message, then choose a music style
from classical to disco to pop. Happy Valentine's Day!



** Dare to Care for a Hare -- Poetry Contest Reminder!

Dare to Care for a Hare poetry contest judged by poet
C J Sage, editor of And We the Creatures: Fifty-One
Contemporary American Poets on Animal Rights and
Appreciation, and author of Let's Not Sleep, and J P
Dancing Bear, author of Billy Last Crow. Profits raised
from entrance fees to support House Rabbit Society. For
additional information, email: padmarajaoui@...

All poems must relate somehow to rabbits and be 30 lines
or under. All entries considered for an anthology. All ages
are welcome to submit, but all poems will be judged
together; there are not separate age categories. No limit
on number of entries. First-place winner receives $250
and publication onto an artistic broadside (small letter
press poster on nice paper suitable for framing), plus 4
copies. Second- and third-place winners receive 2 copies
of the winning broadside. All winners will be published in
the HRS e-newsletter and on the website. Send poem on
one sheet; include separate sheet with poem title, poet's
name, and contact info; poems must not contain poet's
name. Include SASE. Fee is $5 per poem or 3 poems for
$12. No phone calls please. Send poems, contact info,
and check made out to Speed Bump Press by March 1,
2005 to HRS Poetry Contest, 48 Avon Road, Berkeley
CA 94707.



** Recycle. Good for the Rabbits and the Environment

House Rabbit Society participates in a fund-raising
program with Cash for Critters, an organization that
recycles used laser and ink jet printer cartridges. HRS will
receive between $1 & $12 for every cartridge
returned. Tell your friends, family and co-workers to save
spent cartridges. (All models EXCEPT Epson for ink jet.)
If you live in the Bay Area, please feel free to drop
cartridges off at HRS in Richmond. Otherwise, please
mail them to:

Cash for Critters
P.O.Box 42293
Phoenix AZ 85080

Be certain in include a note specifying that the donation is
to be sent to HRS, including the HRS address:
148 Broadway
Richmond CA 94804



** Chapter Updates


* New York City www.rabbitcare.org

Donna Sheridan and Mary Cotter gave a presentation
entitled "9 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a
Rabbit" in Central Park's Dana Discovery Center. Amy
Sedaris (honorary NYC HRS educator) and Mary Cotter,
with the help of RRR/HRS foster bunny Juliette, taped a
segment for Pet Peeves, a local Cablevision show,
focused on raising awareness of what rabbit fur "fashion"
really entails. Jennifer Saver, DVM, Mary Ann Maier, and
Mary Cotter taped two half-hour episodes on rabbit care
for Cablevision TV's program "Party Pets."

Cindy Stutts, along with volunteers Sarah Goodwin,
Yoshi Bird, Jamie Baldanza, Sandra Miyamoto and
Morrissey Perfetti, is setting up a rabbit adoption program
for NYC Animal Care and Control (NYCACC) in
Manhattan. The team cleans cages, brings hay and toys,
lets bunnies out for exercise, and helps the facility with
adoptions. Donna Sheridan is working on setting up a
similar program at the Brooklyn branch. Dr. Jennifer Saver
and Dr. Laura George (Lic. Ed.) are donating spay
surgeries for the NYCACC female bunnies and are
sharing their rabbit surgery techniques with staff
veterinarians at the facility. Mary Ann Maier (Lic. Ed.) is
working to promote bunny adoptions for the Animal
Lovers League in Glen Cove. Mary Ann Maier and Mary
Cotter gave a presentation on rabbit care for the staff at
North Shore Animal League in March, arranged with the
help of Tamar Romer. Mary Cotter is working with New
Rochelle Humane Society to help get their bunnies
adopted.


* Rhode Island www.rirabbits.org

Sweet Binks Rabbit Rescue in Rhode Island had a
successful holiday campaign called "I'm Dreaming of a
White Bunny". We placed four BWB's (big white bunnies)
and had testimonials from all over the country from folks
raving about their beloved BWB's! Thank you to all who
adopted, supported, and enjoyed our holiday campaign.
We will likely continue it every year!

Sweet Binks was awarded full chapter status as an HRS
chapter. We are very pleased to be a part of HRS and
will strive to do our very best!
(Congratulations Sweet Binks!)

Sweet Binks had a record year with 180 adoptions and
227 rabbits saved. Although these numbers are amazing,
they are also alarming. Sweet Binks is launching another
campaign to open communication between Sweet Binks
and area pet stores to encourage pet shop owners to
reconsider the sales of rabbits.

Sweet Binks Chapter Manager Pamela Hood was on TV
Jan. 25 on ABC 6 (Providence) to kick off
February's Adopt-A-Rescued-Rabbit month.


* St. Louis http://tinyurl.com/22vn7

The sale of the 2005 rabbit calendars was extremely
successful and literally spanned the globe. When St. Louis
members learned that the 2005 calendar had been sent to
family and friends in 6 continents, they contacted a friend
of a friend in the Antarctic, the 7th continent, and shipped
a calendar off!

St. Louis isn't wasting any time and already has the 2006
calendar in the works! If printing costs stay steady, they
will again be able to offer the calendars at $5.50 each
(resale at $10), a real bargain and a great way for other
chapters to raise much-needed funds. A semi-professional
photographer has volunteered his services to produce high
resolution digital photographs for the 2006 edition and,
once again, the new calendar will feature rescued rabbits
and rabbit care tips.




* New Jersey www.njhrs.com

The NJ HRS Board recently met and laid out plans for
2005 and started to detail a very long-term project: a
reduced-cost rabbit spay/neuter program at the Monmouth
County SPCA. NJ HRS will have access to the surgical
suite at the SPCA 2 days per week. Initially, the program
will be open to shelters and rescue groups, then eventually,
to the public. Three veterinarians are ready to volunteer
their services and the shelter will purchase the iso., pain
medications, and supplies.


* San Francisco/Peninsula http://tinyurl.com/5dsu9

In late January, Chapter Manager Donna Jensen, her dog
Teddy and two educational rabbits, Sawyer and Chelsea,
paid a visit to some very special children at Francis Scott
Key Elementary School in San Francisco. The children
have muscular dystrophy and the majority are in
wheelchairs. Donna writes, "With the help of their
wonderful teacher Miss Emily Nail and several staff
members, we got the children comfortable on ground mats,
enabling them to get a better look at the rabbits up close.
Most of the children cannot speak, but their bright eyes
and wide smiles expressed more than words ever could.
Most of these children had never seen a rabbit up close or
touched one so it was a real treat for them. We will
be visiting this class on a monthly basis."


* Alabama www.alabamaears.org

EARS volunteers have put Adopt-a-Rescued-Rabbit
Month at the top of their "hop to it list." Educators-
in-Training Mary Alexander and Ruth Fledermaus-Stallsmith
wrote letters to area newspapers, magazines, and TV
stations asking for help in promoting the upcoming month,
and to help dispel some of the myths surrounding domestic
rabbit care and behavior. Immediately, their efforts paid
off.

On January 23, EARS Co-CM Linda Howard was
interviewed by a reporter from the Tuscaloosa News. The
article, "Rabbits keep group hopping: Program rescues
these often-abandoned pets," was a short but informative
article covering the basics and promoting the month. New
fosterers Tony and Amber Majka were also interviewed
for the piece.

In addition, on January 23, WTTO channel 21 in
Birmingham aired an interview with Linda Howard about
Adopt-a-Rescued-Rabbit Month. "We couldn't have asked
for a better day for the foster bunnies to be filmed," Linda
says. "Brooklyn put on a show: she kept tossing her baby
keys into the water bowl and jumping onto her bench, and
she even groomed herself. Other bunnies also 'performed'
for the camera." The piece aired at the end of the news
broadcast, but not before two teasers about the story aired.

Alabama EARS has also scheduled three public
educational events to help promote adopting abandoned
rabbits. On January 29, volunteers educated the public
at one Pet Supplies "Plus" store in Tuscaloosa and one in
Birmingham. Foster bunnies were present to demonstrate
a home setup with an x-pen. Plenty of educational
materials were handed out, and volunteers eagerly
answered questions about rabbit care and living with a
house rabbit. EARS is especially excited about these
events because the owner of the PSP store chain in the
area recently agreed to stop selling rabbits in all of his
stores (the credit for this is due to Linda Howard's
diligence and passion!). Mr. Yates, the chain owner, has
also opened his store to EARS for another event on
February 5.


* Tampa Bay www.tampabayhrs.org

In January, the Tampa chapter coordinated a successful
tabling at the North American Vet. Conference in Orlando,
for the fifth year in a row! Linda Howard and Paris Grey
from Alabama EARS, Janice Blasko and Steffanie
Schrader from Orlando's ORCA, and Educator/Fosterer
Missy Ott helped make the event a success. Dana Hakes,
Tampa Bay Chapter Manager, writes, "We had a
successful three days of educating veterinary personnel and
reestablishing contacts at one of the largest veterinary
conferences in the world. I am especially grateful for
EARS help, as we learn so much from other chapters."
Dana also writes that she has had a very positive response
to the chapter's electronic newsletter. She chose Constant
Contact as a provider to improve distribution and save on
postage versus traditional paper newsletters. The first
newsletter was distributed in January and the next issue
will be sent out before Easter.


* San Diego http://tinyurl.com/2sdd9

Recently, San Diego HRS volunteers lent a helping hand to
the North County Humane Society & S.P.C.A. in
Oceanside to move all their rabbits into a wonderful new
"Bunny Cottage"! Rabbits, formerly housed under a lean-to
structure, are now safely out of the rain and in a
wonderful and cozy new cottage - built just for them! To
see the "before" and "after" pictures, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/6hmqe



* MD/DC/NoVA Chapter www.rabbitsinthehouse.org

The MD/DC/NoVA chapter participated in the 4th annual
World of Pets Expo Jan. 29-30 (www.worldofpets.org).
The event was a great way to get the word out about
house rabbits and raise some funds too.

Even with wintry weather, attendance was impressive and
we educated many people on topics like the importance of
spaying and neutering. We are noticing a trend at these
events that fewer and fewer of the rabbit people we talk to
house their rabbits outdoors and more and more people
house their rabbit indoors. And those people are eager for
more information on rabbit care and behavior.

The MD/DC/NoVA chapter is holding its eighth annual
Easter candy sale! We sell high-quality Log Cabin
chocolates every year to raise money for the rabbits. HRS
receives 42% of the total amount of money collected.
Volunteer Amber Elburn coordinates the entire sale. Since
1997, this candy sales has brought in more than
$10,000 -- an impressive sum, particularly so because the
candy is sold by a relatively small group of volunteers.
They sell candy to their co-workers and friends, including
educational information about why Easter bunnies should
be chocolate and not real.


* Michigan www.michiganhrs.org

Kirk Lowis, co-chapter manager, just completed a
pre-Easter interview with Kalamazoo Today magazine
which will be published soon.

In honor of Adopt-a-Rescued-Rabbit Month, the Michigan
Chapter is planning a day-long adoption event on Feb.26
in Portage.

On March 10, Michigan HRS will conduct a Rabbit Care
& Training Workshop at the Kalamazoo Humane Society
covering topics such as litterbox training, diet &
nutrition, safe grooming and handling and much more.
This event has the honor of being the best-attended
workshop/lecture event at the Kalamazoo Humane Society for
several years running.


* Richmond CA Rabbit Center http://tinyurl.com/2vfxh

February will be a busy month for the National
Headquarters Rabbit Center. On Feb. 5 & 6, HRS will be
tabling at PETA's popular seminar, Helping Animals 101.
http://www.helpinganimals101.com

On Feb 12, we will be hosting another Valentine's Day
celebration. The focus of the event will be rabbit match-
making sessions. (Many bunnies were adopted last year!)
HRS photographer Ken Mark will be doing private photo
sessions using a heart-motif background. A marvelous
vegan luncheon will be served as we gather to celebrate
our love for the bunnies. That same weekend, several
Valentine's Day Kissing Booths will be will be set up in
various East Bay locations. The tables will don banners
reading "Kisses $1". Chocolate kisses will be given for a
modest donation. HRS literature will be distributed and
there will be many opportunities for the public to meet
some of our educational bunnies.

On Feb. 26, the Rabbit Center will host a one-day Clicker
Training seminar. Clicker Training can help improve litter
box habits, facilitate bonding, ease medical care, reduce
aggression and generally improve communication with
rabbits.


* Not a Member Yet?

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


* For Members Only

If you are a member of House Rabbit Society, we
thank you and ask that you check your membership
expiration date on your latest Journal. If your
membership has expired, please consider renewing
soon! http://rabbit.org/hrs-info/joining.html


** In Memorandum

For the unnamed little girl who was dumped in a
shelter drop box, whose life was nothing but misery
and neglect, whose life had to be taken the first day
you were finally safe: for you we will continue working
to make this a better place for all rabbits.



On behalf of the rabbits, thank you.