What's New? at House Rabbit Society - Easter 2005


** Make Mine Chocolate! EXPLODES Nationwide!!

It was only three years ago that the House Rabbit Society
Columbus, Ohio, Chapter launched the Make Mine
Chocolate! campaign. For two years, Columbus and other
HRS chapters sold charming little brown pins attached to
an information card, educating the recipient on the
tragedies about rabbits purchased as Easter presents. This
year, this highly effective campaign exploded on a
national level.

Dozens of animal protection organizations and
companies (http://tinyurl.com/6nbfw) partnered with
House Rabbit Society in the promotion of Make Mine
Chocolate! In early March, the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) sent out a
News Alert promoting the Make Mine Chocolate!
campaign to their membership. The Humane Society of
the United States published a terrific article about the
campaign on its website: http://tinyurl.com/5uqvr.

Congratulations to HRS Columbus and all the partners for
the incredible strides made by the Make Mine Chocolate!
education campaign. To read more about the campaign,
please go to: www.columbusrabbit.org/index.htm


** Missouri HRS to Host Major Veterinary Conference

It is official. Missouri House Rabbit Society is hosting a
one-day veterinary conference about rabbit health on
April 10, 2005. It will be held at the Humane Society of
Missouri in St. Louis and will confer 6 CEUs for attending
veterinarians. Our sponsoring veterinary group is the
Greater St. Louis Veterinary Medical Association.

The process in putting this together has been fascinating
(and lots of work) and we are hoping to greatly increase
the knowledge about rabbit health for those veterinarians
attending.

In addition, the Missouri House Rabbit Society has been
requested to participate in the Veterinary Medical College
Open House at the University of Missouri's main campus
on April 16. We are extremely excited about this
opportunity. The Greater St. Louis Veterinary Medical
Assoc. agreed to be our sponsor if our program was
good enough. We have Dr. Susan Brown doing a
presentation on GI Physiology & Disease, Dr. Susan
Kelleher doing two presentations with multiple topics,
Susan Smith doing a presentation on nutrition, and
George Flentke doing one on pharmacology. Our aim is
basic info for the vet who knows little or nothing about
rabbits. The director of GSLVMA took one look at our
line up and approved it on the spot! They also
immediately sent us mailing labels for their members so
they would all be invited.


** House Rabbit Society Handbook - 4th Edition!

House Rabbit Society is proud to announce that the Fourth
Edition of the House Rabbit Handbook, the book that
started the house rabbit movement, will be released on
April 16.

The House Rabbit Handbook, first published in 1985,
quickly became the "bible" for thousands of people who
lived with house rabbits and inspired countless thousands
of others to bring their "outside" rabbits indoors.

The House Rabbit Handbook was the springboard from
which House Rabbit Society and the international
community of house rabbit lovers was born. Marinell
Harriman's observations about rabbit behavior, through
her own 20 years of fostering, as well as through her work
with hundreds of other house rabbit observers, have
culminated in this new edition which contains new insights
and a deeper understanding of rabbit behavior, as well as
the best and most current information on rabbit health and
veterinary matters for the house rabbit caretaker.

Congratulations Marinell and Drollery Press! May the
fourth edition of your invaluable book educate and guide
all new people who venture into the marvelous magical
world of rabbits as it has for the thousands who are
already there.

Bay Area HRS members: look out for your invitation to
attend the book signing party on April 16 for the new
Handbook, and please plan to buy your Handbook at the
HRS Center at our party.

Folks living too far away to attend, please be certain to
purchase your copy of the new House Rabbit Handbook either
through your local chapter, or by using the amazon.com
link at www.rabbit.org. Five percent of the price will be
given to House Rabbit Society.


** Rabbit Advocates in the News - Portland

(You must enter your ZIP code & birthdate to access
the article.) http://tinyurl.com/4kvo8


** Wonderful United Kingdom Rabbit Website

http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk


** Wonderful Netherlands Rabbit Website

http://www.rabbitpal.com


** Rabbit: The New White Meat in Michigan

http://tinyurl.com/5enyo


** Humane Slaughter Laws - HSUS Petition

Rabbits are classified as multi-use animals and they are not
protected by humane-slaughter laws. The Humane Society
of the United States currently is running a petition to get
chickens reclassified and included in humane slaughter
laws: http://hsus.ga4.org/campaign/petition_for_poultry
Please sign the petition. State in the subject line and in the
body of the email that rabbits need to be included in this
legislation. Send additional comments to HSUS at:
http://www.hsus.org/contact_us/farm_animals.html.


** Brutal Killing of Rabbits in Oakland CA

Two weeks ago, a thirteen-year-old boy brutally killed two
rabbits belonging to an HRS member. This horrific crime is
tragic on many levels. Please write to the District Attorney
asking for prosecution of this case in order to ensure
justice for the two gentle rabbits and for mandatory
counseling for this troubled boy. For more information:
http://tinyurl.com/6u2d4


** Snuggles Project

What better way for those of us who like to sew and
knit than to make blankets for shelter animals! If you
don't have the time to make the blankets, why not do
some spring cleaning and donate fabrics and yarn from
all those unfinished projects to the Snuggles Project:
http://www.h4ha.org/snuggles


** Spring Organic Bunny-Tees!

Whether or not you need cute, eco-friendly gifts for Easter,
there's a kid or grownup in your life who would love a
bunny tee. Not only are they adorable, not only are they
100% organic, but 20% of revenue from each goes to a
rabbit organization in the area you choose. See the tees at
www.goodgirlgoods.com/bunny

Why do rabbits need 20% or your cute tee revenue?
Around Eastertime, thousands of baby bunnies are purchased
for kids. A few months later, rabbit shelters become
inundated with abandoned buns. Rescuers devote chunks
of their time for caring for, educating people about, and
rescuing abandoned rabbits. Help the rescuers and the
bunnies, make yourself or someone else look sharp, and
support organic textile manufacturing, all in one single act!


** Chapter Updates

* Colorado www.coloradohrs.com

The Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies
(CFAWA) recently reported on statistics for 2003. They
stated, "Statistics reported to CFAWA by 30 shelters
across the state show...." After discussing dogs and cats,
they went on, "The highest adoption percentages were for
rabbits. Those 30 shelters accepted a total of 1,525
rabbits; most (730; 48%) owner surrenders, another 595
(39%) lost or stray. Of those rabbits, 126 (8%) were
returned to their owners (a higher percentage than for
cats!), 264 (17%) were euthanized, and an astonishing
879 (57%!) were adopted."

Co-Manager Nancy LaRoche writes, "During the past two
weeks, two boxes of four bunnies each were found at the
side of the road. In both cases, the rabbits were fighting,
and one was injured. Several others came in for a variety
of reasons (one left in an apartment, one to escape being
eaten, etc.).

Then a confiscation landed us with 20 more rabbits. And
tomorrow, five rabbits are coming from a woman in
Wyoming who is very ill. She adores her bunnies, and I
had promised to take them three weeks ago.

So in a matter of days, we've acquired around 35 rabbits.
And we didn't even have room for one new one! We're up
to our eyeballs in bunnies! If there were chandeliers in the
bunny room, we'd be hanging the bunns from them!"


* Wisconsin www.wisconsinhrs.org

Wisconsin HRS recently held "Discover Your Rabbit
Day" at the Humane Animal Welfare Society in
Waukesha. The event garnered a room jammed with
interested bunny lovers and their long-eared friends, and
volunteers scurried to locate extra seating for the capacity
crowd. Featured speaker Dr. Jennifer Bloss of the New
Berlin Animal Hospital spoke about rabbit health and
tooth problems. George Flentke and Susan Smith spoke
about bunny basics and nutrition. George also led a group
discussion on bonding, as attendees watched a real-life
bonding event in progress.

Visiting bunnies received a "tune-up" with nail-clipping,
scent-gland cleaning, and nutrition advice. They also
received wonderful gifts purchased from the HRS
merchandise table, including seagrass balls made by Mary
Beth Inglinski, Lee Meyer's wooden hidey-holes, and
beautiful hay donated by Mell Paul. Sheri Meyer's hand-
painted bunny plates and Susan Smith's earrings were big
hits for the rabbit caregivers. Karla Ortman registered
a record number of new members. Wisconsin HRS
fosterer Julie Sherwin organized this fantastic event, which
raised a record amount in support of the rabbit rescue
efforts at HAWS. We thank all the volunteers who
generously donated materials and time, and the attendees
with their incredible financial support, for making this our
most successful Milwaukee event ever.


*Alabama www.alabamaears.org

Alabama EARS spent February promoting "Adopt-a-
Rescued-Rabbit Month" with three television appearances
and one educational event.

On February 5, EARS educated the public about
domestic rabbit care and behavior at a Pet Supplies "Plus"
store in Pelham. Educators placed special emphasis
on the number of rabbits in shelters looking for a forever
home. On February 6, Linda Howard, Co-CM,
appeared on WTTO in Birmingham to promote Adopt-a-
Rescued-Rabbit Month. In the taped interview, she
covered the basics of the month-long campaign and the
importance of spay and neuter. Mary Alexander, educator
in training, gave a taped interview with WTTO the following
Sunday and a live television interview on February 20.

To get a jump on the upcoming Easter/rabbit season,
Alabama EARS wrote an article for the February/March
issue of Critter Magazine. Mary Alexander's article,
"Easter is no fun for a real bun" was published alongside
photos of some of EARS' foster bunnies. The article
covered the unfortunate plight of so many impulse-
purchased Easter bunnies and Alabama EARS'
partnership with the Columbus HRS chapter's Make
Mine Chocolate! campaign.


* Missouri www.mohrs.petfinder.org

This month we have begun photography for the 2006
Rabbit Rescue Calendar. As pleased as we were with last
year's calendar, next year should be even better with the
addition of professional photography equipment. An
interesting side note is that at a chapter meeting and
discussion among members, it was discovered that our
calendar had been sent to 6 continents. To complete all 7
continents, one industrious member began making contacts
among her friends, leading to the sending of our calendar
(with permission) to the U.S. Research Station in the
Antarctic. The director of the research station was so
pleased that she sent a photo of herself holding the
calendar as she stood next to the South Pole!

Other March events for MO HRS in St. Louis involve
participation in Critter Conservation Day (multi-species
educational event) and participation in an event with the
world-renowned Missouri Botanical Garden besides our
normal educational programs for school children and
regular monthly meetings open to all those who love
house rabbits. Information on meetings and large events
can be found on our website at: www.mohrs.petfinder.org


* Sonoma/Solano www.northbaybunnies.org

House Rabbit Society and the Rohnert Park & Petaluma
Animal Shelters are teaming up to host Bunny Day. On
Saturday, March 26, adoptable rabbits from North Bay
shelters and rescues will fill the Burton Community Center
in Rohnert Park. The public is invited to meet the bunnies,
learn about their needs, and enjoy a day devoted to our
long-eared companions.

Speakers will include House Rabbit Society founder
Marinell Harriman and rabbit veterinarian Karlton Pfann.
People are encouraged to leave their bunny buddies at
home but bring all their bunny-related questions! The
event will also feature educational opportunities, ongoing
demonstrations of nail-clipping techniques, children's
activities, raffles, and refreshments. The latest in rabbit
supplies, toys, and edibles will be for available for sale.


* Richmond CA Adoption & Education Center
http://www.rabbit.org/rabbit-center/index.html

On Sat., Feb. 26, The Richmond Rabbit Center hosted
its first ever "Clicker Training for Rabbits" workshop.
Taught by world-renowned dog trainer and bunny clicker
training pioneer Theresa Lewin, the workshop proved to
be a huge success. Not only did participants learn how to
curb bad bunny behavior at home they also learned about
bunny tricks and agility and how it helps boost bunny self-
esteem. Several shelter bunnies participated in the
workshop as well! Big progress was made in just one day
with a shy, biting bunny named Debbie. By the end of the
day, Debbie wasn't biting and she was allowing people
to reach toward her and touch her! The Richmond Rabbit
Center hopes to offer a similar class in the future as well
as the possibility of clicker bunny classes!

House Rabbit Society's Bunny Valentine's Day Event took
place on Sat., Feb. 12. People brought in their bunnies
for bonding sessions (we like to call them dates!) and to
feast on the magnificent vegan lunch that was prepared by
our master vegan chief, Carolyn Mosher. Ken Mark
graciously donated his time taking Valentine's Day themed
bunny portraits.

The Adoption & Education Center has numerous events in
the works, including numerous education/outreach mobiles,
an Easter Extravaganza (3/26), and the "Dare to Care for
a Hare" Poetry Contest winners announcement event
(4/24). House Rabbit Society founder Marinell Harriman
will be signing copies of the fourth edition of her book at
the House Rabbit Society Handbook Party on April 16.


* Support Rabbit Rescue, Rehabilitation & Rehoming

Purchase greeting cards or a tee-shirt today!
http://www.cafepress.com/hayward_rabbits



** This newsletter is dedicated to Benito and Irving, two
innocents whose lives were ended, tragically short, by
violence. Be at peace,will confer 6 CUES little ones.


* On behalf of the rabbits, thank you. *