Dan and Kathie Hovore’s decision to adopt 10 rabbits from the Reno rabbit rescue ranch was a no-brainer. They had plenty of room in their backyard for the creatures to romp around. The landscape came complete with huge shade trees to ward against the sun and heat. And the bunnies would live far enough away --- and yet, at the same time, close enough to the dog area, where Samson, Belle and Tessie play. And wouldn’t it be fun to have 10 rabbits scurrying about?

They decided it would be. And it has been.

“It’s been a family effort all along but it’s been well worth it,” said Kathie.”

The fun began brewing about four months ago, after the couple read the story in the local newspaper about the 1,400 rabbits living at the ranch in Reno. Dan and Kathie looked around their backyard and realized they had the perfect rabbitat set-up. So they got to work with their 19-year-old son, Greg, and bunny-proofed the yard by setting up wire along the perimeters.

And then came the test: If the wild bunnies in the neighborhood (and there are plenty of those around) couldn’t forage their way into the yard, then their new companion bunnies wouldn’t be able to burrow out of the yard. They passed the test with flying carrots, uh, colors.

Then Don and Kathie made the short trek across three valleys to the ranch to look at the bunnies. They decided to become companions with 10 rabbits who had been living in the same run since their arrival at the rescue.

“We figured they’d already be socialized to each other and would enjoy staying together,” said Kathie.

And they do. They play together well. Kathie said her new clan is older and more feral; they haven’t hopped close enough for human contact yet, but that’s OK. Kathie likes a challenge.

“I feed them fresh vegetables every day,” she said. “For awhile, I would have to leave the food and walk away. Now most of the rabbits come all the way up to where I wait for them. But they still won’t let me pet them.”

That hasn’t stopped her from spoiling them. Besides the gourmet meals, expansive playground and water on demand through a sophisticated automatic sprinkler system, there are several custom-made luxury bunny homes on the premises.

“I never see them in there, though,” said Kathie. “Whenever they want to cool down they just go over by the trees.” Maybe the rabbits are waiting for mini-Jacuzzis to be installed…

In the meantime, some of the bunnies have summoned up the courage to check out Samson, the Labrador retriever. A few have played “kissy-nose” with the affectionate dog. But Border collies Belle and Tessie are boycotting the rabbits. Unless they can play “Let’s Herd ‘Em Up,” they have no interest in the new residents.

Kathie said the bunnies “are just a delight to have around.” And they’re a big hit with her granddaughters, too.

“Everyday we walk the premises to make sure they’re all there,” said Kathie. “And my grandkids like to put the food pellets in the progressive bunny feeders. They are learning so much through them ---- the importance of taking care of the earth and all of God’s creatures.”

There are still many bunnies at the Reno rabbit rescue ranch looking for good human companions. To find out more information on adopting a bunny or two or 10 (hey, the more the merrier), call 435-644-3965 or log onto the Best Friends network at
http://network.bestfriends.org, click on “Campaigns” and go to the Great Bunny Rescue site.

Written by Amy Abern. Photos by Clay Myers.

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