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by Kristi Cole
Sadly, many of the Buckeye House Rabbit Society's foster bunnies come from people who find stray domestic rabbits in a park, a field, or even in their neighborhood. Individuals tired of caring for their pet may see wild rabbits outdoors and think their domestic bunny can fare well on his own. Freedom … they think. What they don't think of are all the perils that can await a domestic animal left alone in the wild to fend for himself. A few examples include attacks by predators, extreme heat or cold, starvation, infections, and parasites.
If you decide to try and capture a stray domestic rabbit and save him from a perilous future, here are some things to consider:
Dawn and dusk are the best times for a successful capture, because that's when rabbits are most active and seeking food. Begin by providing food to get the rabbit used to you and your routine; it may make it easier to catch him. On rare occasions, the rabbit will be curious enough to let you approach him and perhaps even pick him up. It can't hurt to try this first. Or, you can sit still on the ground and see if he approaches you, then try to restrain him.
However, more often than not, the rabbit will run from you, so you need to have some equipment handy to aid in your rescue. Humane traps are cages that can be set with food bait. When the rabbit goes inside to dine, the door closes behind him. Use an aromatic bait, such as apple, banana, or grated carrot. If you use a humane trap, be sure to check it every few hours so that the bunny doesn't get overly stressed from being trapped inside too long. You should set the trap in a shady spot or put some branches on top of it, so that the rabbit is cool enough for the couple of hours it may take before you return. Traps generally work better when there isn't an abundance of vegetation available for the rabbit to find on his own.
Another good capturing aid is a net. We purchased ours at a sporting-goods store. It has a long handle and can be used to catch a bunny within approximately 10 feet of you. Rabbits do tend to struggle a bit when netted, so be sure to go to the net immediately, grasp the rabbit gently but firmly and remove him, placing him directly into a secure carrier. Nets and humane traps can often be borrowed from humane societies or animal control agencies in your area.
If you have several people helping you, exercise pens can be a very effective way to round up the rabbits into a smaller area where you can get to them more easily. (See "Noah and Galia's Rescue" for details.) We used three puppy exercise pens hooked together against a fence. First, we were able to get the rabbits rounded up in a wide area. We then made this area smaller by bringing the pens in closer and then finally in around the back to form a closed circle with the bunnies inside. Naturally, rabbits are spooked when backed into a corner, so the person who closed the fencing got inside quickly and placed the rabbit in a carrier before he had a chance to hurt himself. The puppy fencing can also help capture a rabbit who is hiding underneath a car or hedge. When you place the fence around the hiding place, you know the rabbit can't escape, so it's just a matter of coaxing her out, knowing she can't flee far.
Make sure you bring a car carrier, cage, or something secure to put the rabbit in after he is caught. It would be very frustrating to have him escape after capturing him.
Make sure you get permission to be on the property from the owner, park ranger or other appropriate party. You don't want angry land owners or the police spoiling what you are trying to accomplish.
Ahead of time, try to assemble as many people and as much equipment (fences, nets, cages, etc.) as possible to help you.
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Georgia Williams adopted Sheldon at the Picnic. Shannon Reinert adopted Phoebe at the picnic. |
| Buckeye HRS members enjoy good food and fellowship. |  |
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The Picciano family won the afghan raffle. |
| Photo Contest Winners | Left to right, Eric and Lois Raphael, Miriam Palevsky, Heidi Metzger, David and Joyce Weaver. |
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by Kristen Doherty
When Malcolm first arrived in foster care, he needed special attention. He had sores on his back end from dragging himself around in his own waste. He created messes on the floor, because he could not lift himself to use a normal litterbox. His back end was constantly wet and matted. He required daily bathing.
Malcolm was a stray found in the woods of a residential area. His back legs are splayed, sticking straight out to either side of his body. He is normal in every other way except for his hind legs, which our vet diagnosed as a genetic defect. The defect caused his back kneecaps and back lower legs to develop in a deformed sideways manner, but his upper hind legs, front legs, and the rest of his little 4 lb. body are unaffected. We knew his back end was not paralyzed when it twitched wildly (a sign of pleasure) at snack time.
After three months of gradually changing his environment to meet his needs, Malcolm is now successfully litterbox trained! His sores are completely gone and he no longer needs baths. We modified a large mortar tray, enabling him to enter from the side and step up onto a grate (a cooling rack) with litter underneath. This keeps him clean, dry, and free of mats and sores. It's a very simple setup.
Malcolm's handicap doesn't slow him down a bit. Like any able-bodied rabbit, he loves to run. He uses his front legs to power him and back legs to maintain balance. He jumps, too, especially when someone comes to his pen to give him food or pets. He has the heartiest appetite of any bunny I've known and eats hay non-stop. Malcolm is also one of those bunnies who loves to be held and petted, showering you with kisses of affection. He truly enjoys human companionship, although I think that, ideally, Malcolm would like to have a bunny friend one day -- someone to help him clean his floppy little ears.
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Sooner or later, house-rabbit folks all face the same dilemma: Who can look after our beloved bunnies while we're out of town? The Buckeye HRS would like to compile a list of members interested in bunny sitting, either for a fee or in exchange for reciprocated services. We'll publish this list in a future issue of Harelines. If you'd like to have your name included, contact us by email (sitters@ohare.org), phone (740-797-7616), or post (Buckeye HRS, P.O. Box 61, Vickery, OH 43464).
Note: Rates and experience will vary, so members will need to interview prospective sitters carefully and be personally comfortable with the terms of their agreement. The Buckeye HRS holds no liability for bunny sitters.
This has become a feature on the website, updated as we get more information. Click here to find the list of Bunny Sitters!
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by Eileen Matias
As we all know, rabbits like to explore and jump around. Recently, I had two bonded foster rabbits in a cage that was adequate, but if one of the rabbits wanted time alone, s/he had nowhere to go. While shopping at my favorite home-improvement store, I went into the aisle that has all the easy-to-assemble closet items. I found a shelf that hangs from a wire rack. It cost less than $10.00. I placed it in the cage hooking it onto the top cage bars. By the next morning, the bunnies had figured out how to hop onto the shelf. This gave them a pleasant vantage point from which to watch the goings on in the room. I placed a piece of cardboard on the wire shelf, so they had something to rip up and so they wouldn't get their paws stuck in the grid.
Melbourne and Brisbane, who now live with Julie in Columbus, are the product testers. As you can see, the test was a winner. If you have questions, feel free to e-mail me at eileen@ohare.org.
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Dearest Merlin,
Thank you for staying with us as long as you did. I am so happy to have known you, and you brought such joy and happiness to my life. I owe you so much, and I could never repay you for the things you have given me. You were such a beautiful bunny, and the best friend I could ask for -- you asked nothing, and gave so much.
I am sorry I wasn't there when you needed me. I should've known more about you and been able to know that something was wrong. I shouldn't have been away when you left me. I didn't get to see you go or say goodbye. And while I asked your forgiveness when I got home, holding you in my arms, it was too late, and you'd already departed.
I can't imagine you holding a grudge in those green plains where you now run -- but, please forgive me. I miss you terribly. Your little dances and sprints ghost in the corner of my eyes, and when I turn to look, there's no little white bunny to greet me, full of licks and love. I never meant to hurt you, and hope that you can understand.
I've studied and learned, and cried too many tears over what I should've known, but there's still an empty, Merlin-shaped hole in my heart. Too many questions about why you left. Maybe you left to show me how to take better care of the other bunny in my life. Maybe you wanted me to appreciate what I have. I don't know, but I will always cherish our time together, and keep those memories close to my broken heart.
Thank you, Merlin, for your love and for your light -- and I'm sorry you had to leave us. I look forward to seeing you again upon the other Shore.
Ever in your debt,
Ben
On March 18, 2000, I lost the bunny love of my life - a seven-year-old mini-lop named Natie. His unconditional love and special bunny ways will forever be etched in my heart and mind. Thus, I think the best way to honor his memory is to contribute to the care of the fur babies the Buckeye HRS fosters.
It's comforting to know that an organization like HRS - with such sincere goals - exists. However, I'm saddened by HRS's need to exist. The idea of such wonderful creatures being abandoned and/or abused is incomprehensible to me. As you know, when given a chance and a loving home, a rabbit can embellish a human companion's life in so many heartfelt ways.
Please keep up the good work. Precious creatures need caring, human servants.
Sincerely, Shannon Reinert
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Congratulations and best wishes to these cherished bunnies and their devoted human companions!
Keep deadly holiday plants away from curious bunnies. Yew, mistletoe and
holly berries can be fatal if eaten. Tempting garlands should be kept out of
reach and dropped foliage removed immediately.
