Adoption update

So, as of Monday night (June 6th), the smaller of the two does has gone to her new home where she will be loved by her new human mom and dad, two human siblings and an older bunny brother who we hope will become her bond mate.

My youngest son was fine while we discussed her leaving; however, had a very difficult time when it actually happened. As he is a very dramatic child, we tried cuddling him, sympathizing with him, explaining her new family to him (once again), explaining that we will still have three bunnies to keep for our family, but then just gave up and distracted him with other things.

We are keeping the larger doe and my older son has been spending time cuddling her, giving her attention and treats and slowly building her trust in him. He is also giving her naming a lot of thought, but has not yet found just the right name for her. My husband is rooting for "Lady Grey" as a feminine of Earl Grey (tea). I'm leaning towards "Pink", "Pinky", or "Fuchsia" as that is colour of food colouring we used on her head (which then spread to her paws when she bathed herself) to tell the does from the bucks.

The three bucks (males) are now waiting for their turn to find new homes and families.

Buck #1 is quiet, calm and sleeps a lot. He is always looking for a calm, cool place to relax. He plays for a little bit, then rests. He is also the last to run out when the cage is opened. He’s a bit shy but loves a rub/scratch along the jawbone or between the ears.

Buck #2  is very cuddly, and quite used to being held. He was my son’s first choice to keep (until we found out he was male) and as such has been snuggled, carried about, pet and brushed since he was a week or so old. He may initially resist when you pick him up, but will quickly calm down and snuggle in as long as he is held securely and gently.
He is very playful and loves to chew on his wicker basket and boxes.

Buck #3 – is very mischievous and playful. He is very entertaining. He loves to Binky (a funny hop, jump, twist that rabbits do when they are happy)  and he gets a lot of height. He loves to play with boxes, race around the room, throw and chew on his wooden toys.  This little fellow does not like to stay still (thus the firmer grip in the picture), but he does   keep us laughing. He is the runt of the litter and is a survivor (if you have read the beginning of this blog, you will know that he was born 5 hrs before his litter mates and was very cold when we found him as we had put the mom away in her cage not knowing she was pregnant or had given birth to him).

If you are interested in adopting one of the darling bunnies, please do some reading to make sure that you are ready to be a bunny parent. I recommend the following sites for information:
http://www.ontariorabbits.org/
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html
http://www.binkybunny.com/HOME/tabid/36/Default.aspx
http://www.rabbit.org/


I can also recommend our vet clinic to you when the time comes to have your bunny neutered as well as for an annual check up.

We are asking $25 as an adoption fee, which is not much for a pet, but please keep in mind that there are always other associated costs to having a furry companion:
One time costs include (may need to be replaced due to wear & tear)

• cage or enclosure (purchased or hand made), 
• feeding dishes/water bottles, and 
• litter pan
• neutering once they reach maturity (3-4 months) reduced many undesirable behaviours   (spraying, bad potty habits, digging, being territorial, etc). An annual check up is recommended but vaccines, etc are not required.

Weekly/monthly costs

• pellets (food), 
• hay (no alfalfa after 6 months), 
• litter (recycled pellets or carefresh are best) or shredded newspapers/kraft paper,
• fresh greens and other veggies (after 6 months of age only and then introduced slowly

Items your bunny will want/need but are free/inexpensive if handmade or can be bought

• a hidey house/comfy area (cardboard boxes and wicker baskets are great for this or you can purchase pre-made ones from most pet stores.
• toys can again be purchased from a pet store, but the best are home made or re-purposed; natural pine cones, toilet paper and paper towel tubes, old phone books (minus the covers), wicker baskets of all shapes and sizes, wooden blocks or shapes, cat balls with bells, natural fibres tied into knotted ropes or balls, fruit tree twigs and branches, etc. 
• Your love and attention.  House rabbits are not meant to spend their lives in a cage. Take them out and play with them, let them run around and explore (just make sure to bun-proof first), give them ways to interact with you (laying on the floor so you are at their level is a great way to start), and learn what their body language is telling you (copy it back to them when you can).

There are lots of websites out there with ideas on how to make or build your own bunny toys, habitats, etc  that your bun will enjoy just as much if not more than the commercial store bought variety. Just make sure to check to see if it is safe for your bunny to ingest as they will chew anything. Chewing is not only natural for them but a must to keep their teeth from becoming overgrown.









That's it for now. I hope to post another adoption soon.
In the meantime, enjoy this past week's pictures.