News
Bunny’s Day Out
April 03, 2007, 12:0AM MT
By Jennifer S Hayes
A day of rabbit fun for all.
A day of rabbit fun for all.
By Nancy Martin, President of Bunny Buddies
There are dog parks for people and their pups but where do you go when you want to take your bunny somewhere fun? Why, to Bunny’s Day Out of course!
Now some of you may be asking, “What is Bunny’s Day Out?” Let me tell you a bit about this wonderful event. Bunny Buddies, a Houston based non profit rabbit rescue and education organization holds Bunny’s Day Out twice a year. It’s a multi-purpose event to educate the public about house rabbits, adopt out our rescued foster rabbits and do a little fundraising to help pay for the spays/neuters and veterinarian costs incurred taking care of the foster bunnies.
The most recent Bunny’s Day Out was held on Saturday, March 24, 2007. The spring event is held before Easter so we can have a chance to teach people about what wonderful companions rabbits are and why they shouldn’t be bought as presents for young children at Easter time.
At such a wonderful time of year, the blossoming spring and the celebration of Easter, it’s very sad that it can be such a horrible time for rabbits. Many people think their child would enjoy having a small bunny for Easter but they don’t realize that bunny will grow up and could live at least ten years. Rabbits aren’t toys; they are living, breathing and feeling creatures who need proper care and love. These rabbits bought at Easter as babies grow up and if they are not spayed or neutered their adolescence can bring about hormonal behavior that can make them aggressive and territorial. About the time they reach puberty the child is often tiring of the rabbit as a pet and a lot of families leave for summer vacation when school ends. This combination finds many of these poor bunnies surrendered at shelters or worse, dumped in a local park when the family no longer wants them. Domestic rabbits do not have the same instincts as their wild cousins and most will die a cruel and gruesome death when dumped outside.
Bunny’s Day Out is a chance for people interested in having a bunny as a companion to really learn what’s involved in their care. We have lots of available literature and many bunny experts at the event to answer any questions. But it’s also a fun day for the rabbits. We set up two very large pens on the grass and in one we place some of the foster rabbits available for adoption. Our member’s bring their own bunnies to place in the other pen where they can hop, play and explore with a lot of other rabbits. We provide hay and vegetables and lots of humans to keep an eye out for any bunnies looking for trouble. However there have never been any problems, the bunnies all seem to really enjoy meeting each other and getting a chance to frolic with many others of their kind in the fresh air! Many people who don’t even have rabbits as pets come to see the joyous gathering of these wonderful creatures!
And while the bunnies are playing their humans can share with other bunny lovers tips and tricks for a happy, healthy rabbit, shop for supplies and even get the chance to bid in a silent auction on a palatial bunny condo.
At the end of the day both the people and bunnies go home tired but happy, having shared a “bunderful” day of fun, learning and sharing. So if you already have bunnies or would like to learn more about them, please join us at our fall Bunny’s Day Out for a hopping good time that you will never forget. Or if you can’t wait that long, please check out our website at www.bunnybuddies.org or email us at info@bunnybuddies.org . We hope everyone has a very “hoppy” Easter and spring!
Click here to see a video slideshow of the Bunny's Day Out event.
Reprinted, with permission, by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Network
Photo credit: Nancy Martin, President of Bunny Buddies
Top photo: Two bunnies enjoying the bunny play area at Bunny's Day Out
Middle photo: Marci Kwan, a Bunny Buddies Board of Directors member holding Reggie, a foster rabbit rescued from the organization’s SPCA seizure in December 2006. Reggie is still available for adoption
Bottom photo: The bunny play area, where you can see adults, kids and
bunnies enjoying the fresh air and beautiful day during the Bunny’s Day Out celebration.