What's New at House Rabbit Society? March 2007

** Longtime HRS Volunteer Wins Oregon Humane Society Lifetime
Achievement Award

From the Oregon Human Society website:
(http://www.oregonhumane.org/news/2006Volunteers.htm)

Mary Huey of NW Portland, recipient of the OHS Lifetime
Achievement Award, first volunteered for OHS in 1991. Mary
is a true Rabbit Advocate in every sense possible and has
contributed over 650 hours to OHS. Mary was one of the original
driving forces behind the creation of the original Rabbit
and Rodent Room in the old shelter building. Mary's enthusiasm
for rabbits led to the creation of a dedicated group
of OHS volunteers called Rabbit Advocates. Mary has
remained a dedicated volunteer at OHS and, with the recent
Hillsboro rabbit rescue, has put in countless hours of
volunteer time feeding cleaning and caring for over 200
rabbits involved in the case.

** Make Mine Chocolate 2007 Campaign Off and Running

From www.makeminechocolate.org:

The 2007 "Make Mine Chocolate!" Campaign has officially begun!
We've got some exciting new items for this year's campaign:

"Make Mine Chocolate!" is pleased to announce a partnership
with the National Confectioners Association (NCA) for Easter
2007. NCA is the major trade association representing the
nation's confection industry, including the more than 90
million candy and chocolate Easter bunnies produced in the
U.S. each year! For Easter outreach, NCA will tout a
"Battle of the Bunnies" campaign and reveal results from
a nationwide survey that show Americans prefer candy
bunnies to live bunnies as Easter gifts. See the press
release from NCA at
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?
ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-15-2007/0004546606&EDATE=

Visit our Web site and NCA's Web site, www.CandyUSA.org, in
the upcoming weeks for more news on this exciting partnership.

* Our CafePress store is up and running! Visit
www.Cafepress.com\chocolatebunny to see all of our exciting
merchandise. Finally, you can order that MMC mug you've always
wanted!

* The "Make Mine Chocolate!" Public Service Announcement
will be distributed nationwide! Thanks to the generosity of
Maria Perez of Las Vegas HRS and her colleague, Bill Goodwill
of Goodwill Communications, who agreed to provide this service
pro bono, the PSA will go out to all of the major radio
markets in the country!

* We've added a Letter to Photographers on our website.
Use this template as a guide when you write to your local
photographers encouraging them to use toys, candy and
flowers in their Easter photos instead of live rabbits.
We're currently finalizing a companion poster that
Compassionate Photographers can display in their stores.

* "Accessorize Your Bun" is now online! This great game in
our Interactive Bun learning center lets you set up a virtual
living space for our friend Watson. His mentor, Professor
Rabbit, guides you by offering tips on which choices are
best for Watson's comfort.

* Don't forget our raffle! Joseph Larkin has again provided
an original painting to be raffled for $1 per ticket. Check our
website for a photo of this beautiful art work.

* "Make Mine Chocolate!" will be the Charity of the Day at
Goodsearch on April 3, 2007. Use Goodsearch for all your internet
searches and support MMC at the same time.
Visit www.goodsearch.com.

As always, we have informational materials at
http://www.makeminechocolate.org/marketing.htm . You'll find
a variety of print materials, including the new
Compassionate Photography items, and a Public Service
Announcement for download and distribution to your local
media outlets.

Make Mine Chocolate is already receiving media attention.
See the first item in a Memphis Commercial Appeal column at
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/lifestyle_columnists/article/0,14
26,MCA_529_5417646,00.html.
See also a longer piece in the New York Post at
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03182007/entertainment/rabbit_fears
_entertainment_julia_szabo.htm

** We Want Your Rabbit Stories

HRS is still publishing Rabbit Stories on the HRS-Announce
e-mail list, but we need your help. Please send your rabbit
stories to laura@.... This feature will return with
a new story next month.

** Leith PetWerks Show Me the Bunny Contest

Leith PetWerks will give away six 48" Double Level Bunny
Abodes between March 1 and Easter (April 8). According to the
annoumcement:

Winning is easy... all you need is a little creative energy
and a love for a long eared one. You can color one of two
images we provide, you can submit a picture, or you can do
something wildly creative! That last part is a little
augmentation we've made to the contest based on some requests
from those interested -- I'm wondering what we're going
to end up with! Sculpture? Handmade cards? Pencil drawings?
Whatever! =-)

See the contest page for full details, including how easy
it is for people of all ages, talents and energies to enter
and to win!

http://www.leithpetwerks.com/contests/2007coloring/

Simply send your entries, questions, and comments to
contest@....

** Rabbits in the News

*Old Chapel Used for Rabbit Rescue
http://www.kirotv.com/news/10946925/detail.html
An old chapel in Seattle's Discovery Park has become a
sanctuary for rabbits rescued from Seattle's Woodland Park.

* Endangered Rabbits Return to Washington
http://www.happynews.com/news/3152007/endangered-rabbits-return-
washington.htm
The Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit is finally back in its old
stomping grounds, munching olive-drab sagebrush and hopefully
doing what rabbits do best. Twenty of the creatures -- each
not much bigger than a man's hand -- were set free Tuesday
in a remote wildlife reserve, an attempt to jump-start their
population in central Washington state.

** Rabbit Web Site of the Month

Rabbit Bites
htttp://www.rabbitbites.com
Two bunnies named BunBun and Chou Chou comment on popular
culture. Recent episodes include the Oscars and American Idol.
Warning: some of the content is for more mature audiences.

**Chapter Updates

* Chicago Chapter
http://www.hrschicago.org

180 Rabbits Seized in Watseka, IL Abuse Case

On February 24, 2007 humane investigators confiscated 180+
rabbits from a breeder in Watseka, IL who will be charged with
animal cruelty and abuse. House Rabbit Society of Chicago
has been assisting South Suburban Humane Society with the
triage and care of the rabbits that were confiscated in
this case. As of February 27 all the rabbits have
receive a preliminary medical exam and the many sick rabbits
are receiving medical treatment. It took two days for
veterinarians to document the rabbits at the shelter and
triage their health care. Volunteers Joan and Dave Irwin and
Colleen Cameron assisted with the triage and Dr. Susan Brown has
provided the majority of the health care. Now past this major
hurdle, many hours will still be required to settle the rabbits
into groups based on their medical and physical needs. There
are many ill rabbits as well pregnant does and some young
litters that require special considerations.

Ongoing care and assistance for this large group of rabbits
will be a huge undertaking for South Suburban Humane Society.
HRS Chicago, Indiana House Rabbit Society, Wisconsin House Rabbit
Society and Red Door Shelter in Chicago have offered assistance.
We will be coordinating our efforts to maximize resources.
We are almost finished collecting the items needed for basic
housing Ð cages, litter boxes, crocks, etc. As the rabbits are
set up in better appointed cages, the volunteers will turn
their efforts to helping with much needed grooming tasks
such as trimming nails and grooming the matted Jersey wooley
rabbits. Of course, the shelter will appreciate any
assistance we can provide with the daily cleaning chores
or daily medications.

Anyone interested in making donations or volunteering can
contact hrschicago@... or dawn@....

For more information on the case, see the March 3 article in
the Chicago Tribune at
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-
0703030186mar03,1,4542399.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=
1&cset=true.

See also Dr. Susan Brown's statement about the case at
http://www.hrschicago.org/Letter%20from%20Dr%20Susan%
20Brown.htm.

Upcoming Seminar

HRS Chicago will be hosting an afternoon seminar titled
"Building an Effective Relationship with Your Veterinarian,"
on Saturday afternoon April 21 at the Oak Brook Public
Library. We are privileged to have Dr. Susan Brown,
the National House Rabbit Health Director, presenting
information on how we as rabbit guardians can communicate
better with the veterinarian when or rabbit friends need
health care. Have you ever thought about what a
veterinarian's professional responsibilities are? Have you
wondered how you can be better prepared for the vet
visit? What can we do to assist the veterinarian in
evaluating our rabbit friends? Join us to find out. Watch
for more details. Contact HRS Chicago at
hrschicago@... if you have questions.

* Colorado Chapter
http://www.coloradohrs.com/

The Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine
has established a trial program where senior vet students will
spay and neuter the chapter's rabbits at no cost. These will
be done under the personal direction of Matt Johnston, VMD,
DABVP Avian, who is the college's resident expert on rabbits.

This obviously benefits the chapter greatly, but it also trains
vet students who will be able to spay and neuter rabbits when
they enter into practice next year. After evaluating the
trial, CSU is likely to make this a permanent program.

-----------------------------------

There are no norms for thyroid in rabbits, and the University
of Tennessee wants to establish some. So students from CSU's
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are
coming to the shelter to take blood from a large number of
rabbits. These samples will be sent to the university, so
they can establish norms.

* Los Angeles Update

RABBIT ADOPT-A-THON
Thanks to the help of 45 volunteers and the West Los Angeles
Center staff, the Second Annual LAAS Rabbit Adopt-A-Thon,
"Adopt a Honey For Your Bunny," which took place on
February 11, 2007 in the Westchester Recreation Center, was a
smashing success. Not only were 30 LA Animal Services rabbits
adopted, a new all-time record for one day, but volunteers
found homes for one "return" and one relinquished bunny,
for a total of 32 adoptions. HRS representative Michelle
Kelly was there to educate potential adopters and organize
the event.

All adopters filled out an Adoption Information Form, spoke
with Adoption Counselors, and paid an adoption fee of $50
for each rabbit. While looking for the perfect match of
rabbit or rabbits, potential adopters watched a professional
DVD of rabbits in the home.

The rabbits were all neutered, litter box trained and had
a micro chip implanted in advance.

NO KILL PLAN FOR RABBITS
On February 26th, Michelle Kelly spoke at the Board of Animal
Services Commissioners meeting and presented a plan "No Kill
For Rabbits." Key to the plan: recruiting and retaining
volunteers who specialize in rabbits, and providing education
on and coupons for spay/neuter to reduce the overpopulation
of pet rabbits in Los Angeles.

Volunteers Needed For Los Angeles Area Mobile Adoptions

Local PetCo management has agreed that if we show rabbits
for adoption in their stores, they will not sell Marshall
Farms rabbits. This is a win-win situation for the public
shelter rabbits in Los Angeles: more rabbits from the animal
shelters will get adopted and there won't be an influx of
Marshall Farms rabbits hitting the shelters. The success
of this enterprise depends on whether or not there are
enough volunteers signed up to transport rabbits and do
adoption counseling. Please contact Michelle Kelly at
losangelesrabbits@... for more information and
to sign up as a volunteer.


* San Diego Chapter

San Diego HRS received its Federal Nonprofit Status in January
and is now a nonprofit corporation under the name, San Diego
Companion Rabbit Society, Inc. We are "doing business as"
San Diego House Rabbit Society, to retain the recognition
that comes along with the House Rabbit Society name. Our board
is going on its second year and is working to increase benefits
to our supporters, along with the number of rabbit adoptions
in San Diego County.

-------------------

San Diego HRS has a new online Cafe Press store! Visit
www.cafepress.com/sdhrs to shop for great t-shirts, totes,
caps, cups, mouse pads and more!

------------------

San Diego HRS is embarking on an ambitious year to provide
more educational seminars to our supporters. Upcoming
classes include Bunny Massage with Chandra Moira Beal, author
of "The Relaxed Rabbit: Massage for Your Pet Bunny;" Clicker
Training Your Rabbit, with clicker training specialist,
Andrea Bratt Frick; T-Touch and Animal Communication with
Lauren McCall of The Integrated Animal; and several
Bunny 101 and Angora Grooming training sessions throughout
the year.

* Tampa Bay Chapter
http://www.tampabayhrs.org/

Tampa Bay HRS worked with SPCA Largo on BunFest, which was
held February 18. As part of the promotion for the event,
Jennifer Richard, HRS educator and SPCA employee, went on
Channel 10 to promote the event. To see the video, visit
http://www.studio10.tv/day/wednesday/segment.aspx/49159/
Its_Bunfest_Time_at_SPCA_Tampa

* Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy, Vancouver, BC
http://www.vrra.org

British Columbia has a big chain store called Petcetra
(just like Pet Smart) that has always sold baby rabbits.
The BC SPCA works with Petcetra in spite of this because
they adopt out cats and dogs for them. VRRA has always been
against this and it's been a sore point between the group and
the SPCA.

In mid-February, the city council met to pass a by law to
ban the sale of exotic pets in pet stores and also to pass
a bylaw on how animals are kept at pet stores. Olga Betts,
the Vancouver chapter manager, went to speak about how rabbits
are kept and also about why they should be banned for sale
in pet stores. The BC SPCA was there to support the exotic
pet ban but did not speak about rabbits. At least two of
our city councillors were very interested in the rabbit issue.
The bylaw was passed without adding rabbits, However, the
BC SPCA had a serious talk with the owner of Petcetra and
he has agreed to stop selling baby rabbits and to adopt out
spayed and neutered SPCA rabbits throughout the province.
The BC SPCA has asked VRRA to advise on how to handle the
adoptions. VRRA will also participate in the media event
(when the announcement comes out) to talk to people about
rabbits both in person and on the radio.


** New HRS Emergency Rescue Fund

Every year we hear about a number of emergency rabbit
rescue situations around the country that involve anywhere
from 50 to 1500 rabbits. Sometimes HRS can help when we have
volunteers in the area who can provide foster care,
veterinary care, support for the rescuing shelters, and
more. Other times we are less able to help. We know our
supporters would also like to be able to help with these
cases, which often involve so many rabbits, so much
suffering and so few resources.

House Rabbit Society would like to help more, and to
allow you to help more.

To that end, we have started a Rescue Emergency Fund.
This fund is kept in a separate bank account from HRS'
general funds, and all donations coming in that specify
"Rescue Emergency Fund" will go into that account. We will
use those funds to make small, targeted grants to animal
rescue organizations who are involved in a large rescue.
Funds can be used to purchase cages, litterboxes, food,
hay or toys, or can be used to fund spay/neuters and other
veterinary care. We will keep our members informed via
the HRS website of how many dollars have been raised, and
what rescue situations have been funded. To make a donation
to this fund, be sure to include "Rescue Emergency Fund"
in the description field of the online donation form
(donations via snail mail are also gratefully accepted).


** Become a Member of House Rabbit Society or Renew Your
Membership

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. If you already are a member, thank you,
and please remember to renew. All members receive
the Society's newsletter, House Rabbit Journal, edited by
House Rabbit Society founder and author of The House
Rabbit Handbook, Marinell Harriman. Please go to:
http://rabbit.org/hrs-info/joining.html

Laura Barnes
HRS E-Newsletter Editor and HRS Educator
laura@...