2013 The Earful 062313

The EARFUL
Welcome to BunnyFest 2013
13th Annual BunnyFest
Nordahl Hall
Los Gatos, CA
June 30, 2013
11am-4 pm
Brought to you by
The Rabbit Haven
What’s Inside The Earful
Welcome and BunnyFest Map
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Schedule of Events
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What’s “Hoppening” at The Haven
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Supplements & Small Animals
7
Bunnies Just Want to Have Fun
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The Rabbit Ear
11
Rabbit and Rodent Dentistry
14
Sheldon and Penny
Common Rabbit Eye Problems
16
Did you hear? It’s BunnyFest time!
Rabbits and Chiropractic Care
18
Bonding 101
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Winning Photo courtesy of Darren Craig
Many Thanks to our BunnyFest Sponsors and Major Donors
VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz
THANKS !!!
Printing of The Earful was provided through a grant from Oxbow Animal Health
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Our Bunnies are
Jumping with Joy to Thank
Our Generous Donors and Sponsors
ACE Hardware/Scarborough Lumber
Adobe Animal Hospital
Alanna Williams Art
Amber and Vinnie Hama
American Pet Diner
Andy’s Adoption Center
Animal Hospital of Soquel
Aptos-Creekside Pet Hospital
Art by Derica
Bingaling Bunny Box
Blissful Bunny
Bunny Bytes
Bunny Rabbit Toys
Cameron Veterinary Hospital
Carolynn Harvey, DVM
Chandra Moira Beal
Classic Car Wash
Country Gourmet
Dark Cycle Clothing
Dog Ear Prints
Flat Bonnie & Bunny-Whipped
For Other Living Things
FOSCCA
Funny Bunny Toy Company
Furtado Drulias
Giannotti Vision Care
GreenOuse Landscaping & Design
Harvest Home
Hilary Stern, DVM
Hobees - Los Gatos
House Rabbit Society
Lavender Rabbit
Leith Petwerks Inc
Lil’ Chick Pet Sitters
Lisa's Tea Treasures
VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz
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Los Gatos Birdwatcher
Los Gatos Café
Magic Princess
Marcy Schaaf
Marinell Harriman
Michelle Waters
Mollie’s Country Cafe
Mountain Meadows
Muffy
Nance Cronin
Nothing Bundt Cakes - Los Gatos
NY Hop
Oxbow Animal Health
Panera Bread - Los Gatos
Pet Care Depot
Pet Food Express
Pet Pals
Rabbit Hole Hay
Renee Perry Art & Design
Renee’s Seeds
SaveABunny
Scotts Valley Feed
Shig Oshimo Pottery
Small Pet Select
Summer Wind Nursery
Sunnyvale Veterinary Clinic
The Busy Bunny
The Honorable Dalmation
The Leveret’s Nest
The Raspberry Rabbits
The Wooden Horse
Thom Sanborn Photography
Trader Joe’s
VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz
THANKS !!!
What’s “Hoppening” at The Rabbit Haven
by Heather Bechtel
The Rabbit Haven is your source for rabbit education and adoption Come be part of our family!
The Rabbit Haven, founded in 1987 for
the love of Bernie (who was the Haven’s
first rescue bunny), has become one of the
largest education, rabbit rescue and adoption organizations in California. We are
excited to let you know about our accomplishments this year
and to share our plans for next year.
The Rabbit Haven provides rescue, advocacy, foster support,
medical care and adoption services for rabbits. We operate an
all-volunteer non profit 501 c 3 organization. We rely on private donations and grants to carry out our work of finding
permanent homes for approximately 600 rabbits per year.
The Haven offers extensive services, support, outreach and
added several new programs this year. Our dedicated & talented volunteers offer more than 15,000 hours of service
every year.
The Rabbit Haven carried out several rescues in Santa Cruz,
San Mateo, & Santa Clara Counties. We also provided spay
and neuter services and placement for most of these rabbits.
Haven educators served a variety of schools and organizations
in the community. We carried out adoption shows in Santa
Cruz and Santa Clara Counties, providing more than 4,000
hours of adoption services. Our adoption rate is excellent. I
attribute this to the structure of our adoption program, the
quality of our counselors and our stellar foster families who
help socialize and prepare the rabbits for adoptive homes.
Haven’s adoption programs: To improve the quality of
our Santa Cruz Adoption Center, we moved our show location
inside of Pet Pals to a more private setting. We also changed
our show day to Sunday, to accommodate those people who
work on Saturday. We now have a more private health education and grooming setting and two additional matchmaking
spaces. The Sunnyvale Adoption Center, located in For Other
Living Things, expanded so that we can now feature 14 rabbits
at each show. We also added the Guardian and Angel sponsor
programs, (additional resources for adoptable rabbits). Our
Home Health Check and Nail trim team, available at every
adoption show, assists the public and our adopters with their
rabbit’s needs.
Services we increased include adoptions, shelter rabbit advocacy, rabbit rescue, shelter transport, rabbit medical care,
grants, services to the community, spay & nueter, and help
desk activity.
New Haven project: The Haven Network opened in June
of 2012. This service offers a referral network for other animals (chinchillas, birds, reptiles, hamsters, guinea pigs, and
at times dogs or cats). This program helps relieve shelter staff
who are already overwhelmed by a large number of dogs, cats
and rabbits. The Haven Network offers a prompt referral resource to move these animals to proper rescues that provide
the quality of care required for the species involved.
Special Events: Vino Prima (a special wine tasting fundraiser), The Pre Easter Education Project, The Mother’s Day
show, The Holiday Gift Bag Program, and our annual fundraiser of the year, The BunnyFest. Our events are fun, varied
and always lovely. Join us!
Our Pre Easter Education campaign was very successful. Haven staff worked with the community during Easter to make
sure all questions were answered. Our counselors worked
with families considering the purchase of an “Easter Bunny”,
Runners-Up in
The Earful
Photo Contest …
Thanks to all
contestants!
Louie courtesy of Tiffany Chin
Oscar and Rory
courtesy of Petra Dvorska
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What’s “Hoppening” at The Rabbit Haven, continued from page 3
preventing impulsive pet store purchases, and provided much
needed information regarding rabbit care and adoption.
Expansion of volunteer group: We added 3 new education team members to our adoption shows, 7 new shelter advocates at San Jose (SJ), 6 new adoption show support staff, 2
full medical foster teams and 2 new infant rabbit sites. In addition, we set up 31 new foster sites.
Advocacy at shelters: We currently have 7 Rabbit Haven
advocates at the SJ shelter. Advocates provide rabbit grooming, evaluations, exercise, feeding, photos and cage clean up.
This program is making a tremendous difference to the SJ
rabbits. This shelter is a major dumping ground for rabbits
and many other animals. With the advocates help we have
been able to get all but two rabbits out since June 2012. Focusing on the shelters we assist, we developed an advocacy
system and involved other rescues to move rabbits to safety.
To increase our community presence we developed our social
media sites (The Rabbit’s View blog, Face book, Pet Finders,
The Rabbit Haven website and print media). The Rabbit Haven also continues to work with The Girl Scouts, offering an
opportunity for scouts to learn about rabbits and earn a special rabbit merit badge for helping our organization in a volunteer capacity.
Our 20th annual Holiday Gift Bag program, which offers a gift
of love and caring for rabbits living in shelters, was a happy
affair and a great success. We supplied gift bags to more than
450 rabbits at a variety of shelters and foster centers. Our
2012 BunnyFest was a fantastic success and this year we plan
to carry on this tradition of joyful celebration.
Special grants & funding programs: We are continually
involved in fundraisers to support the rabbits. This year we
received the Oxbow Grant Award, a grant from the Greater
Milwaukee Foundation, and we work with My Broker Donates,
which is a great way to donate to The Rabbit Haven when you
buy or sell property. We have also secured corporate gift
matching funds, special rabbit health care grants to help us
pay for medical needs of rabbits, as well as FOSCCA and
FOWAS support to The Rabbit Haven. However, Rabbit Haven members remain our primary contributors. In addition,
several generous vendors also offer sizable discounts and direct donations to support our cause.
Rescue Appeals: Our appeals for the rescue of hundreds of
at risk rabbits have been highly successful. Our appeals reach
out to both local and to out-of-state rescues when shelters are
full and rabbit’s lives are at stake.
The Rabbit Haven is planning for the future: There has been a
significant increase in the number of rabbits needing rescue
and support in our communities. Our program has also expanded to meet this need. To ensure that we can continue to
provide our programs, we intend to purchase a space for use
as an office, training center and entry point for rabbits that
need shelter. If you know of a property that might work, please
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let us know.
We will also be increasing space for rabbits by adding foster
sites, expanding our rescue network, and assisting shelters in
adding or modifying space. We will also seek funding for
spay/neuter services for a low cost spay/neuter program. We
will also increase our support and advocacy at shelters, and
continue to hold 3 adoption shows monthly in Sunnyvale and
Santa Cruz).
Equipment needs: We must purchase a new transport van
this year. Our van is 14 years old. The van is used for every
adoption and community event. This year, new equipment will
also be required for The Haven offices. Our computers are 7
years old and failing. We receive significant discounts from
Tech Soup and Dell, so we are seeking donations to purchase
through these programs. We will also need IT support to set
up our new systems. When we receive new computer equipment, The Rabbit Haven Web site will begin to transform.
Watch the fun. We promise to keep lots of photos, great stories and updates to all of our information to make it easy for
you to access the info you need.
We will continue all of our services to our school, kid’s camps,
and community education programs. We will also add four
additional schools to our service project during 2013. We
have plans to enliven the Scouts program to include 2 events
each year and to add more troops to our Scout team.
Haven Volunteers welcome: We need to add volunteers
in areas of event planning, foster and adoption show support.
You may work from your home or at the Haven adoption
shows. This is such important and fulfilling work. Fosters are
critical to our operations, and essential to save rabbit lives!
We provide the supplies, medical support, and you provide the
love and support until the rabbit is shown and adopted.
Rabbit Haven classes & seminars: We will be offering
several additional education classes. (Bunny Basics, Advanced
Rabbit Care, Haven counselor training, and Shelter Support
classes). We will also have a special free seminar in estate
planning with a special focus on planning for animal companions. We are also launching our volunteer orientation classes
quarterly. Watch our schedule for details.
Special events planned include, Wine tastings, Art shows, Festivals, Education campaigns, our Holiday Gift Bag program
and of course, Bunnyfest 2014!
I hope that you have enjoyed this update and that you will
consider participating in The Rabbit Haven. We need volunteers, fosters, adopters and donors.
You are all welcome to join
The Rabbit Haven family.
Love,
Auntie Heather
Heather Bechtel is the Director of The Rabbit Haven, a 501(c)(3) non-profit group
www.therabbithaven.org
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Now available at a
retailer near you
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Supplements and Small Animal Health
by Oxbow Animal Health
Similar to people, supplements can be used to augment your rabbit’s
diet and support recurring health issues
Why Supplements?
Even with a balanced diet, some pets require a little extra
support to be at their best.
Pets are living longer lives thanks to proper nutrition and
care, and more pet owners are taking their small pets to
the vet than ever before. While a high quality, nutritionally correct food should always be a fixture in every small
herbivore’s diet, the addition of targeted herbal supplements can help promote overall wellness and support specific body systems.
When is a Supplement Needed?
The most common ailments vets see with small animals
are related to digestive, urinary, joint, and skin and coat
issues. As these pets age, vets also see more chronic, recurring health issues that need support. Through the inclusion of specific, beneficial herbal ingredients, supplements can provide targeted support not available through
most conventional foods.
Natural Science Supplements
than others. To make these changes easier, Oxbow created the Natural Science supplements with the foundation
of the same, high fiber hay consumed by pets on a daily
basis. The inclusion of hay enhances the palatability of
the supplements and makes them familiar to pets accustomed to eating hay daily.
Herbs – Safe and Beneficial
Natural Science Supplements were formulated through
the consultation of extensive scientific research, as well as
by utilizing the guidance of top exotics veterinarians and
nutritionists with extensive practice in holistic medicine
and the use of herbal ingredients. Research references
included a myriad of top peer-reviewed scientific journals
and leading veterinary scholarship relating to herbal and
holistic medicine. Only the safest and most beneficial
herbs were chosen for formulation, at levels appropriate
for inclusion in the daily diets of small pets.
For more information about Natural Science supplements, visit www.oxbowanimalhealth.com or call (800)
249-0366.
Oxbow’s Natural Science supplements are made with
novel, premium herbal ingredients not available in most
conventional foods. In addition to these ingredients, they are made with a high-fiber timothy
hay foundation, making them familiar and
highly palatable to small pets such as rabbits,
guinea pigs and chinchillas. The Natural Science supplement line was formulated through
the consultation and guidance of extensive scientific research, top exotics veterinarians and
nutritionists practiced in holistic medicine and
the use of herbal ingredients.
Natural Science supplement categories include:
Digestive, Immune, Joint, Multi-Vitamin, Senior, Skin & Coat, Urinary and Vitamin C.
Hay – The Ideal Foundation for Supplements
Small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs and
chinchillas are creatures of habit. When it
comes to changes or additions in diet, some animals will accept these changes more readily
Printing of The Earful was provided through a grant from Oxbow Animal Health
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Bunnies Just Want to Have Fun
by Lisa Matheson
A variety of toys keeps everybunny happy
We have been shipping healthy chew toys to bunnies all over the world for more than 26 years. We are so
honored to have kept bunnies happy and active for so long. One thing we have learned is that every bunny
is a little different. When you spend some time with your rabbit, you will see their personality and their
playful side. They need exercise and we recommend letting them out of their cage or pen to stretch their
legs when you are home, and can spend some quality time with them.
Before we let our bunny Eddie out to play, we first block access to electrical
cords and other unsafe areas of the room. I will usually sit on the floor reading a
magazine or doing yoga and let him run around. I usually put his Willow Tent
Tunnel down for him to go running through. He loves tunnels as do most rabbits. They also love nibbling and redesigning their tunnels - adding windows
here and new doorways there. It is this quality time that you spend with your
rabbits that opens your heart to their playful and inquisitive side. I have had
many new bunny customers tell me that they had no idea a bunny could have so
much personality.
Stacking up their toys is always a fun game. Bunnies can't resist coming over to you
and knocking it over like a house of cards or grabbing one of the toys and flinging it. I
use our willow bowls and other willow baskets and
stack them or fill them with chew toys. We only choose
toys that are safe to chew or, in the case of plastic toys,
we make sure these toys are hard enough that they
can't break. There are many baby and toddler toys that
are suitable - baby key rattles are the perfect size for a
rabbit and a wonderful noisemaker. Natural mats are also a wonderful choice for all
bunnies. Whether in a cage or out playing, bunnies enjoy taking a break on their own
personal mats for a time out or to do some grooming. Eventually they will also get
around to chewing it or pulling it a part. It's a full time hobby for most buns! Another
fun idea is to use hanging toys such as this Hanging Sea Grass Jellyfish. If you have a
tall cage or pen you can hang the toys and let your bunny do some stretching to reach
up and chew. You can also hang toys on a wall or cardboard cottage.
The key to a happy bunny is a healthy diet, plenty of hay and water, and lots of stimulating toys that you
can rotate to keep your bunny's mind and body active. Be creative, have fun!
Photo Contest Honorable Mentions
Wiggles
Deanna and Zeke
Tia Meli, Analea,
Kai Aihi, Moloki
Tyler
Disapproving Ears
Mini Ears
Ears Everywhere
Blissful Ears
courtesy of Erika Pettit
courtesy of Ray Milkey
courtesy of Petra Dvorska
courtesy of Diana Moll
Lisa Matheson is the Owner, President and CEO of The Busy Bunny
www.busybunny.com
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The Rabbit Ear
by Carolynn Harvey, DVM
Know what is meant by outer, middle and inner ear,
and about signs of problems in each area
LISTEN UP!
Daisy the rabbit goes to the veterinarian. He says she has an "ear
infection". Infection in different parts of the ear require different
approaches. Read on . . .
The rabbit ear, like other mammals' ears, is divided into 3
chambers, and a different approach is required to treat each
area.
Chamber 1 The Outer Ear: The
outer ear includes everything on
the outside of the ear drum.
Moving from the tip of the ear
inward we encounter the pinna
(ear flap), which is shaped like a
cone leading to the round cartilage tube called the external ear
canal. In rabbits the ear canal
Graphic originally used in House Rabbit Journal article
points downward and then
“Rabbit Ears: A Structural Look” by Jana Rickel
curves gently inward toward the
center of the head, ending at the ear drum.
Chamber 2 The Middle Ear: This chamber is deep under the skin;
you can't see it on physical exam. It starts on the other side of the
ear drum and contains the 3 delicate bones the translate the vibration of the ear drum into pressure waves the nervous system can
detect. It also contains the Eustachian tube. This small tube functions as a pressure equalizer. It connects the middle ear to the oral
cavity, and when you yawn or "pop" your ears, the Eustachian tube
allows the pressure to equalize between the two areas. The middle
ear ends at the Round Window. The bones of the middles ear move
against the round window to transmit sound waves to the inner ear.
Chamber 3 The Inner Ear: The inner ear lies on the far side of the
Round Window. It contains the nerve endings that transmit sound
information to the brain, and also the semicircular canals, the balance system of the body. These small fluid-filled tubes are lined
with sensory hairs that tell the body which way the head is oriented.
When the semicircular canals are not functioning well, dizziness
(vertigo), head tilt or circling occur.
TREATING BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
Chamber 1 The External (Outer) Ear: Infections in the outer ear
are the most accessible and can be diagnosed by looking into the
ear with an instrument (otoscope) and taking samples if needed.
Topical medications reach the area easily and are appropriate for
infections of the outer ear (otitis externa). One must be cautious in
cleaning or medicating the external ear, for if the ear drum has
been torn or punctured, the medication may reach the middle or
inner ear, and some medications can be harmful in that area. If the
infection in the outer ear is severe, and involves the deep layers of
the ear canal wall, ear drops may not penetrate deeply enough to
cure it, and oral antibiotics, which reach the ear through the blood
stream, may be added. Correct choice of antibiotic can be aided by
culturing the exudate. Samples for bacterial culture are easy to
obtain by swabbing the ear.
Chamber 2 The Middle Ear: Infection can get started in the middle
ear by crossing the ear drum, by coming up the Eustachian tube
from the back of the throat, or through the blood stream. This area,
containing the sound-transmitting bones of the ear, the Eustachian
tube and a large space called the tympanic bulla, is hard to reach
with medication. It is separated from the external ear by the ear
drum, so ear drops do not reach it. Antibiotics in the blood stream
reach the wall of the space, but infection can hide in the large central cavity (the bulla) and survive there. Sometimes a surgical procedure is needed to clean the area out. It is a delicate undertaking
so a skilled surgeon is required. Complications are possible and
success is not guaranteed, since rabbits make very thick tenacious
pus that resists cleaning and flushing. Samples for bacterial culture
are difficult to obtain unless the ear drum is ruptured and pus is
leaking into the outer ear.
Chamber 3 The Inner Ear: When signs of an inner ear problem are
present (head tilt, circling, pain, hearing loss, etc.) it is often hard to
determine the cause. Bacterial infection, tumor , trauma, stroke,
inflammation, parasite or brain disease can all cause similar signs.
Advanced imaging like MRI scans may help diagnose the problem,
but are expensive and not without risk. We often "treat for the
treatable", i.e. use antibiotics in case bacteria are the cause. Antibiotics must reach this area through the blood stream. It is usually
not possible to obtain samples for culture from this area, as it is
encased in the temporal bone of the skull. Antibiotics used for inner ear infections are chosen for ability to penetrate this area, activity in the presence of pus, and suitability for the kinds of bacteria
expected in the area. We often also provide supportive care such
as anti-nausea medicine, anti-inflammatories, pain medication,
fluid support, etc. Sometimes the active disease problem (infection
or other) seems to have been cleared, but head tilt and balance
problems remain. This is likely due to physical damage to the delicate balance apparatus. After such damage, rabbits can continue to
improve by adapting to their new, skewed sensory input.
Complimentary therapy such as acupuncture, herbal medicine
physical therapy and chiropractic care may speed recovery.
Like much in rabbit medicine, treating ear infections is not a one-size-fits-all sort of proposition.
Treatment is planned based on many factors including the location of the infection, the rabbit's age
and health status, and the owner's ability to administer medications. Recheck exams allow the veterinarian to assess the bunny's progress and change
the treatment plan as needed.
Dr. Harvey is at Chabot Veterinary Clinic 20877 Foothill Blvd. Hayward, CA 94541 (510) 538-2330
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Welcome to BunnyFest 2013!
Thank you for attending the 13th annual BunnyFest. We’re “hoppy”
that you (and perhaps your bunny) are joining us at this fun event!
This year, we are grateful to have the renowned Dr. Carolynn Harvey as our keynote speaker. She’ll
help decipher the medical jargon we often hear or read into understandable English. Dr. Harvey
practices at Chabot Veterinary Hospital at 20877 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. Call her at (510) 538-2330.
We are honored to have Marinell Harriman as our special guest. She just released the 5th edition
of the definitive source book for care and behavior information about our beloved house rabbits.
She will autograph your copy of “The House Rabbit Handbook” today!
Marcy Schaaf, Reiki Master teacher, CPM, will be offering Reiki sessions to both people and rabbits.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of healing and self-improvement. Reiki treats the whole
person including body, emotions, mind and spirit, creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation
and feelings of peace, security and well-being.
Dr. Hilary Stern is offering medical exams for
your bunny here today! She is at Animal
Hospital of Soquel, located at 2651 Soquel
Ave. in Santa Cruz. (831) 475-0432
Additionally, stop by and visit with our great
vendors and find lots of items here today for
your bunny enjoyment. Many thanks to our
friends at The Busy Bunny, Funny Bunny Toy
Company, Bunny Bytes, Small Pet Select,
and American Pet Diner for providing free toys
and treats for you to take home for your bunnies.
Special thanks to Leith Petwerks for providing
highly popular raffle prizes and the play zone to
keep the bunnies busy in the park.
Be sure to keep your copy of
The Earful handy after you go
home today, as it is filled with
great articles and references for
bunny-friendly stores and
services to keep your bunnies
healthy and happy.
Stage
M. Harriman
Book Signing
Andy’s Pet
Adoption
Center
Reiki with
Marcy Schaaf
Seating
Dr. Stern
Vet Check
Bunny
Park
Kid’s
Zone
Special thanks go out to our generous sponsors and
donors that make BunnyFest possible. Please support
them, and tell them you saw them at BunnyFest.
Kudos to all the volunteers that bring BunnyFest to life !!
House
Rabbit
Society
Harvest
Home
Nail Trims
The Rabbit Haven
Bunny Boutique
Ambassador
Bunnies
&
Housing
Examples
Michelle
Waters
Raffle
Haven
Volunteer
& Foster Info
For Other
Living Things
SaveA
Bunny
Feats of
Clay
Bunny
Photography
Registration
Entrance
Magic Princess
Men’s Restroom
Lagomorph
Lounge
Nibbles
Cafe
Women’s Restroom
Welcome to BunnyFest 2013 and enjoy the day!
Emergency
Exit
Note: Blue areas staffed by BunnyFest volunteers
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BunnyFest 2013 Schedule of Events
11:15
Welcome - Heather Bechtel of The Rabbit Haven
Stage
11:30
House Rabbit Handbook Intro - Marinell Harriman
Stage
12:00
Rabbit Care & How to Talk About It - Dr. Carolynn Harvey
Stage
1:00
TLC and Bonding 101 Demo - Raymond Okamoto
Stage
1:30
Raffle #1 to Benefit The Rabbit Haven
Stage
1:45
Bunny Greens Eating Contest
Outside Bunny Park
2:00
Bowling for Bunnies
Outside Bunny Park
2:15
Bunny Treat Training Demo - Lissa Shoun
Outside Bunny Park
2:30
Indoor Bunny Housing Options - Ray Milkey
Stage
3:00
Grand Champion Acknowledgments - Heather Bechtel
Stage
3:15
Raffle #2 to Benefit The Rabbit Haven
Stage
4:00
Closing Remarks
Stage
Ongoing
Rabbit Physical Exams - Dr. Hilary Stern
Inside Health Area
Ongoing
Reiki Healing - Marcy Schaaf
Inside Health Area
Ongoing
Bunny Nail Trims
Inside Health Area
Ongoing
Photos with Your Bunny
Ongoing
Rabbit Park / Bunny Play Zone
Outside Bunny Park
Ongoing
Gardening for Bunnies - Sioux Ammerman
Outside Bunny Park
Ongoing
Kids Coloring and Activity Table
Ongoing
Face Painting & Animal Balloons - Magic Princess
Ongoing
Bunny Rest Area
Lagomorph Lounge
Ongoing
Food and Drinks
Nibbles Cafe
Inside Photo Booth
Outside
Inside
BunnyFest 2013 Vendors
The Rabbit Haven’s Bunny Luv Boutique - Featuring handcrafted items and one of a kind collectibles, clothing, jewelry, items
for your home, and so much more. Handmade TLC bunny blankets,
carrier pads, and floor toppers. Lots of bunny toys too!
For Other Living Things - Offers all things needed for your bunny!
Foods, hay, leashes and more! Basically, they are bringing the
store! Hurray.
Photos by Petra and Marian for The Rabbit Haven - Have your
bunny’s photo taken at BunnyFest! Or pose with your bunny. High
quality photos at nominal cost. Full benefit for The Rabbit Haven.
Magic Princess - Face painters & balloon fun by lovely fairies filled
with joy!
Michelle Waters - “Environmental surrealism” artwork, fusing her
love for animals, concern about the planet welfare, and twisted
sense of humor.
Feats of Clay by Shig Oshimo - Ceramic pottery for the love of
bunnies. 100% of proceeds go to The Rabbit Haven.
Andy’s Pet Adoption Center - Serving abandoned and San Jose
shelter animals. Andy’s Pet Shop provides quality advice and products for your pets.
House Rabbit Society - International nonprofit animal welfare organization with headquarters in Richmond, CA. They offer rabbit
adoption, membership with subscription to the House Rabbit Journal, boarding, and education or rabbit care and behavior through
online resources, classes and printed materials.
Harvest Home - Community non-profit formed to provide life-long
care for rescued animals, to educate the public about humane animal care and practices, and if possible, find appropriate homes for
them. Services offered to a variety of animals including rabbits.
SaveABunny - Award-winning 501c3 nonprofit rescue organization
that works with shelters all across Northern California. SaveABunny
specializes in “hard luck cases.” Abandoned, abused, and neglected rabbits get the second chance they deserve. SaveABunny
offers adoption, advocacy, education & volunteer opportunities.
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Rabbit and Rodent Dentistry
by Dr. Sarah Hawklyn, DMV
Knowing symptoms of dental disease aids in early detection
To quote the rabbit dental guru, Vittorio Capello, in his
book Rabbit and Rodent Dentistry Handbook, “The possession of teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives is
the most important peculiarity of Lagomorphs (rabbits) and
rodents. This single factor underlies many of the diseases
typical of these species and is the primary reason dental
disease is so frequent as well.”
Let’s expand upon this. Rabbits do have deciduous (baby)
teeth, usually shed before birth. Their adult teeth are called
elodont, which means continuously growing. The teeth you
see when you examine their cute Bugs Bunny smiles are the
incisors. Rabbits have 6 incisors, 4 on top, while rodents
have only 4 total. It is not necessary for rabbits to chew hard
materials as some rodents do, because the sharpness and
length of the incisors is maintained by the rubbing of the
upper and lower teeth on each other when chewing. Incisors
play a minor role in eating and chewing. They are used to
cut plants from the ground and to reduce the size of large
food pieces. When rabbits eat, food is actually introduced
into the mouth by the lips and is passed by the tongue to the
back teeth where the food is ground and crushed by their
rough surfaces. These deep back teeth are the premolars
and molars, but they are often referred to collectively as the
cheek teeth. Rabbits are missing canines, the sharp biting
teeth we see in pictures of Bunnicula, instead there is a
space there called the diastema.
Dr. Capello mentions three main causes of dental disease.
The first is congenital (those you are born with) such as we
see in rabbits with malocclusion (abnormal position of the
tooth to opposing tooth) of incisors. This can also occur due
to the trauma of falling, or over time with cage biting. Breed
differences such as dwarfism can cause shortening of the
jaw and affect the cheek teeth. The second is nutritional
since our diet choices directly affect rabbit’s dental health.
In the wild, rabbits would be eating rough long pieces of dry
grasses, which would help maintain the surfaces of the
cheek teeth. Our domesticated rabbit’s diet, even when we
feed the best we can offer, cannot match nature. The upper
jaw of a rabbit is wider than the lower and without the
maintenance of the tooth surface by diet, sharp points can
form, cutting the inside of the mouth. The third cause,
metabolic bone disease, is a controversial subject. The idea
is that by bringing our rabbits inside, out of the sunlight, we
decrease their Vitamin D exposure and in turn their calcium
availability and utilization. This can lead to bone changes in
the jaw and loosening of teeth.
As a prey species, even in a well-protected environment,
rabbits instinctively hide that they are not doing well until
they cannot hide it any longer. When you do see illness, it
may be far advanced. You may see your rabbit’s incisors
growing in a wonky way, but there are many other symptoms of dental disease which are not as obviously related to
teeth.
These include:
• A poor body condition and weight loss.
• Decreased appetite or food intake.
• Difficulty chewing or dropping food when eating.
• Signs of GI upset, pain and stasis.
• Change of fecal size, quantity and appearance.
• Excessive grooming.
• Excessive salivation and drooling, with wet hair of
forelegs, or around lips and chin.
• Discharge from or a more prominent eye.
• Difficulty breathing, sometimes with nasal discharge.
• Swelling on face often below eye or on bottom of lower
jaw.
If you see any of these symptoms, or if your pet has not
been seen for a comprehensive veterinary exam in more
than a year, then you should schedule a visit with your veterinarian. They will perform a thorough exam of your pet,
but don’t be surprised if they suggest anesthetizing your pet
for a more complete oral exam. It is difficult to see all the
changes that occur in the mouth with an awake patient.
While asleep for the exam, they may take x-rays or in severe
cases they may recommend a CT scan to better evaluate
tooth position and soft tissue abnormalities like abscesses.
A fairly simple problem, like a sharp spur, may be found, or
a very serious infection requiring extraction of a tooth or
opening of an abscess. In advanced cases, this can be life
threatening.
In summary, your job is to feed a
good diet high in hay. Consider
some sunlight exposure. Maintain routine examination yearly
especially in older rabbits. Watch
for the smallest signs of illness
and seek veterinary care if present.
Dr. Hawklyn is at Aptos-Creekside Pet Hospital 10404 Soquel Dr Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 688-4242
14
www.Aptos-Creeksidepets.com
Animal Hospital of Soquel
2651 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831.475.0432
www.soquelvet.com
Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm
Saturday: 8am – 5pm
Our Rabbit vet:
Dr. Hilary Stern
(appointments on Wed and Thurs)
Quality, compassionate
care for your
dog, cat, rabbit, or
exotic pet
Aptos-Creekside Pet Hospital
10404 Soquel Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-4242
FAX (831) 688-4235
Rabbit-Savvy Vets on Staff:
Sarah Hawklyn, DVM
Mary Siri, DVM
www.aptos-creeksidepets.com
VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz
815 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-427-3345
www.vcahospitals.com/santacruz
•
Convenient hours:
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm
Saturday: 8am – 5pm
Sunday: 9am – 3pm
•
Two vets that see rabbits:
Dr. Laura Ryle
Dr. Maureen Loughlin
•
Free first exams for all new adoptions
•
We can also board rabbits!
15
Common Rabbit Eye Problems
by Dr. Ann Gratzek, DMV
Eye care is important to keep your bunny healthy
Thankfully, rabbits in general have evolved from the backyard hutch into our homes. Advances in husbandry and
veterinary care have contributed to longer healthier lives.
Eye care is an important part of this care and my job as a
veterinary ophthalmologist is to try to solve some of the
problems that arise.
Squinting the eye is the most common and important indicator of pain and indication to see your veterinarian.
Squinting is a result of deep or superficial disease within
the eye and an examination can help differentiate where it
is coming from. Redness in the sclera (white area) around
the eye is typically an indicator of inflammation and disease. Rabbits are stoic and will mask pain until severe. I
am always astounded when rabbits present to me with an
abscess behind or in the eye with no outward changes in
behavior. Any change in color of the cornea or pupil is
indication to have your rabbit checked. Some of the more
common eye problems are discussed in brief.
Persistent ulcerations are common in rabbits and often
the cause is unclear. Simple corneal ulcerations are easy
to treat with supportive care and typically heal with topical antibiotics and systemic pain management. Early
treatment is important to prevent secondary infection.
Complications in corneal healing are a common cause of
referral. Repeated injury to the surface of the eye from
inverted lids, droopy ears (lops) or poorly healed lid defects can contribute to poor healing. Secondary infections
with bacteria or less commonly, fungi, can greatly complicate healing and directed therapy may require a culture or
cytology. Many ulcerations do not have an identifiable
cause and in my office are treated via keratectomy
(removing the ulcer) with the aid of a topical anesthetic
and mild sedative. Corneal glue is a very popular practice
in treating slow healing ulcerations in rabbits as well.
Pain management is very important part of the treatment
strategy for rabbits. Meloxicam and Buprenorphine are
my drugs of choice.
Dacryocystitis is inflammation of the lacrimal drainage
system and is the most common cause of a sticky ocular
discharge in the older rabbit. It is caused by a persistent
infection within the drainage duct of the older rabbit and
is very difficult to treat. Repeated nasolacrimal flushing
by your veterinarian and long-term systemic and topical
medication are indicated. By far the most common cause
of this disease is constriction of nasolacrimal duct drainage by continual tooth growth.
Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E cuniculi) is an endogenous
parasite in the rabbit and often lives within the lens of the
rabbits. E cuniculi can be a benign parasite in its host or
can create disease in susceptible individuals. Neurologic
disease is the most common presentation, but it can be
especially troublesome in the eye. The parasite likely encysts within the lens, ruptures the lens as it emerges, and
elicits an inflammatory response. The lens develops an
abscess and rapidly becomes opaque. Any opacity in the
lens is called a cataract and a cataract can cause blindness.
Typically, rabbits don’t squint their eyes when this happens. Owners may present their rabbit to us because
there is a bulge or change in coloration to the iris. In my
opinion, there is no therapy for this but lens (cataract)
removal. Rabbits can function as house pets very well
without their lens and retain functional vision. Cataract
surgery is performed with a technique called phacoemulsification. A 2.6 mm incision is made in the cornea and
the lens material is removed. Unlike other species, the
lens in a rabbit is typically easy to remove. The abscess is
also removed with a technique called irrigation/
aspiration. This technique is exacting and expensive because of equipment used but removal of the eye due to
ongoing inflammation and pain is typically the only alternative.
Enucleation (removal of the eye) in the rabbit is a common procedure because many ocular problems are too
extensive to fix with medical therapy.
Enucleation can
be performed successfully by a practitioner skilled and
knowledgeable with lagomorphs. Rabbits have a venous
sinus behind the eye that can bleed in excess. We typically
use a silicone orbital prosthesis to tamponade this blood
loss. All rabbits kept as pets can adapt well to vision in
one eye.
Finally, the thing to remember
about your rabbit is to catch problems early so they can be fixed. If
your veterinarian is not having
success with your rabbits eye problems consider an appointment
with a veterinary ophthalmologist.
We are here to help.
Dr. Gratzek is at Ophthalmology for Animals 2585 Soquel Drive Santa Cruz, CA 95065 (831) 477-7799
16
www.ofora.com
17
Rabbits and Chiropractic Care
by Margaret Holiday D.C, Certified Animal Chiropractor
Chiropractic “adjustments” for rabbits provide a complementary
therapy to your rabbit’s health program
Chiropractic care is an alternative drugless method
of health care that can be a valuable part of a holistic treatment approach for rabbits. It can be used
as a preventative therapy, for health optimization
and for treatment of acute and chronic conditions.
and lifestyle harm reduction information is given.
Following treatment, often immediate responses
are noticed such as improvement in gait, easing of
muscle tension, apparent reduction in pain, and
general brightening of spirit.
The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine)
and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. The goal of chiropractic therapy is to clear blocked pathways of
communication between the nervous system and
the body by identifying and alleviating misalignments in the spine, thereby freeing the body to access its innate recuperative powers. Through gentle manual manipulation performed on areas that
are painful and not moving properly, normal alignment can be restored allowing pain and stiffness
relief as well as improved range of motion, balance,
strength and energy. In addition to the adjustment,
which is aimed at decreasing pain and restoring
normal joint motion, gentle stretching and massage techniques are often used to address accompanying concerns.
Rabbits who might benefit from chiropractic care
include those with mobility concerns, back pain,
neck pain, degenerative joint diseases, disc problems, neurologic concerns, muscle weakness, fecal
or urinary incontinence, soft tissue injuries, post
surgical patients or generalized dysfunctions. Even
if the chief complaint cannot be “cured,” regular
chiropractic adjustments may help to relieve discomfort and improve mobility and spinal biomechanics. Wellness chiropractic care can also help
prevent the development of degeneration, reverse
mild pathologies, reduce the likelihood, severity
and frequency of aggravation of back or neck pain.
Treatment always begins with a thorough history,
physical examination, and gait analysis at a veterinary clinic (and with the veterinarian’s referral).
Records, including lab work, from current and previous veterinarians can be helpful in determining
an appropriate treatment plan. A thorough assessment of the health and comfort of your rabbit’s
spine, muscles, tendons and joints will be made.
When joints have become stiff over time or have
been continually out of alignment (subluxation),
surrounding soft tissues shorten and become painful. In addition, compensation for other underlying pains can lead to overworked soft tissues and
spinal misalignments. As rabbits have inherently
fragile bone structures, great care is taken during
the examination as well as during the manual manipulation of the spine and extremities. The procedure is not painful and routinely very well received
to the point of enjoyment. If muscle imbalances or
compensations are noted, soft tissue release techniques incorporating stretching and massage are
often utilized. Rabbit guardians are often then instructed in home care physical therapy techniques
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Over many years of practicing chiropractic with
rabbits as a certified animal chiropractor, it is often
amazing to see the results that can ensue following
a chiropractic “adjustment.” Almost immediate
changes in gait and stance can be seen. Rabbits are
highly sensitive animals and are very responsive to
chiropractic care. Of course, the success of treatment depends upon both the severity and duration
of the problem, but in my experience a noticeable
improvement in comfort, mobility and overall
quality of life results from receiving chiropractic
care for either acute or chronic conditions. It can
be a wonderful complementary therapy to add to
your beloved rabbit’s health program.
~~~~~~~
Dr. Holiday has been a chiropractor
for nearly 30 years, for the last 10
years specializing in animals from
rabbits, dogs and cats to horses. She
practices out of veterinary clinics in
the Bay Area (Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Clinic 510-530-1373,
Alternatives for Animals 925-2836170, East San Rafael Veterinary
Clinic 415-456-4463, Tender Care
Veterinary Clinic 415-454-4994, Animal Wellness Center of Marin 415456-4471), or you can reach her on
her direct line at 510-528-2440.
Margaret Holiday is a Certified Animal Chiropractor practicing in Bay Area vet clinics
510-528-2440
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19
Rabbit Bonding 101
by Raymond Okamoto
Matchmaking and bonding takes time, but in the end it is worth it to
see that your rabbits have a companion of their own kind.
Rabbits are highly social animals. Rabbits enjoy being a member of your family and they may also enjoy the company of another rabbit. Each rabbit is different and unique and will seek a
special companion of their choosing. Matchmaking professionals can help you help your rabbit find the right choice. Rabbit
Bonding 101 is a brief guide about how to match and then bond
your rabbit. Before you start:
•
Your rabbit must be spayed or neutered at least 6 weeks
prior to matchmaking/bonding to allow hormone levels to
subside.
•
Your rabbit must be healthy to meet another healthy rabbit.
Be sure to check your rabbit’s state of health with your veterinarian. If your rabbit is altered and healthy then you
may move forward with bonding.
•
When you begin, use an experienced matchmaking and
bonding person. Learn all you can during the process.
Finding out if your rabbit wants a companion: You
know your family member best. Watch and observe your
bunny. Does you bunny seem lonely depressed or bored? Do
you have little time to spend with them? Have they recently lost
a mate? If so, your rabbit may benefit from a rabbit companion.
Are you ready for bonding? Rabbit bonding can take from
a few days, weeks to several months. You may need to spend 30
minutes a day helping them bond to each other. You need to be
consistent and helpful to aid your rabbits in the bonding process. It is so worth it.
Finding the “Right” Bunny Friend: It is important that
you are prepared to adopt the rabbit your bunny selects as possible friends prior to starting the bonding process. You may
make first suggestions; however, your rabbit makes the final
decision. Once the rabbit has selected their companion, you
need to be able to accept the new bunny into your family. Your
rabbit will need your support and acceptance.
The bonding process (brief outline)
Step 1: Hold the rabbits together. The first introduction is
slow and allows bunnies to meet in a safe, secure environment.
Hold the two rabbits together on your chest, on a small cat bed
or with a holding blanket. Place the two rabbits facing towards
you. They will be able to see and
experience each other in a close,
protected manner. Pay attention to
their feelings and respond accordingly. Gently pet them with the
palm of your hand over their nose
and over their heads. You can do
this for 5 to 10 minutes. When you
place them together their heads
might be apart. When they feel safe and comfortable with each
other, their heads and body will be close to each other.
Step 2: Controlled Interaction. You can now gently move
them together (cat bed / holding blanket) into a basket or into a
cart. The purpose of the basket or cart is to provide a limited but
controlled area for their first meeting. You can pet both of them
at the same time. Being together in a comfy space is helpful.
You are looking for neutral or positive interaction between
them. You can move the basket or cart rocking gently every now
and then to create movement. In a cart it is easy to move freely
and this gives the rabbit time to adjust to each other and a bit
more space to extend their interactions. Begin cross petting the
bunnies. Cross petting means pet both rabbits at the same time,
and then cross your hands and continue to pet the rabbits with
the other hand. Cross petting helps the rabbits relax and also
allow the scents of each rabbit to be mixed helping rabbits to
accept the other more easily. If they show dislike for each other
(biting, defensive behavior) in this space, stop, and move on to
another bunny-there really is a special bunny for every bunny.
If they seem to like each other’s company, move on to next step.
There are many aspects of a rabbit’s personality that come into
play during bonding. Two traits stand out: activity level and
energy level. Activity level ranges from a super active bunny to
a very relaxed lap bunny. Energy Level ranges quite a bit.
Step 3: Neutral Area Meeting (Clean space not used by
either bunny before). The neutral area should have a large
litter box (for both of them), food and water and a hay basket.
The neutral area should be a square (4x4feet or larger) without
any obstacles. Perhaps a toy or two for fun. That’s it.
Active bunnies like to explore and run around. They tend to
require more space to exercise. The calm, relaxed bunny enjoys
being on your lap and enjoys your personal interaction. Just
hanging out.
Rabbits can be territorial. When you place them in a neutral
setting you are removing the need for territorial behavior. In
neutral space you can see how they interact with other.
The more intense and active bunny lets you know how they feel,
what they want, when they want it and how to get it from you.
The mellow rabbit is more laid back and just goes along with
whatever is happening. They can accept change more easily.
The mellow, easy going rabbits can be paired with several types
of rabbits. Two intense rabbits may not be the first choice in
bonding. We try and find a happy pairing.
Mood also plays an important role in matchmaking and bonding. You need to be calm in your approach. The rabbits will
follow your lead. You will help your rabbit feel safe and secure
as s/he meet the new rabbit. Keep the mood happy and light.
20
Does one seek out the other for friendship? Are they frightened?
Are they interested? Watch carefully. Your bonding guide will
offer you information during the process so you can learn more
about rabbit body language so you will know how they are feeling. You will see the bunnies hop around smell and explore the
area. The following explains what you might see and do. Some
behavior they may exhibit follow:
• Mounting: Do not be too concerned over mounting behavior
if that occurs. Mounting is one of many ways rabbits communicate. Often it is a rabbit’s way of showing who is the dominant rabbit. (Who wants to be groomed & who is in charge.)
Raymond Okamoto is a volunteer, adoption counselor and matchmaker for The Rabbit Haven
Rabbits use this mounting process to communicate with each
other. Mounting is not based on the sex of the bunny. Males
or females use this behavior sometimes.
• Rabbit Chasing or Biting: If the rabbits begin to chase
each other, move aggressively towards each other, begin to
circle, pull fur or nip, move them apart and comfort the rabbits. Your rabbit or the new one may not be comfortable or
they may not like each other. When chasing like this occurs,
or if one rabbit is attacking or biting the other, the bonding is
over.
• Meeting behavior/Neutral or common interest Reactions good: When the rabbits are first put together you
might see mounting or minor running around together. They
may just be getting to know each other. Give them some
space. You might also hear them thump at each other. It is all
part of the normal meeting process. When they settle down
and understand their place with the other, you might see
them sitting apart from each other.
• Issues/Quick movements: Rabbits are prey animals so
they are wary of quick or unexpected movements. Watch their
reaction when they make a quick movement near each other
or hop past one other. Each rabbit is learning about the other
one. What you are looking for is how they communicate with
each other and to find a compatible relationship.
• Grooming is a very gentle way in which rabbits show love
and affection. It is important but not essential for bonding.
When a rabbit wants to be groomed they place their head
down next to the other rabbit. Grooming is when the other
rabbit licks the fur (usually the head or ears) of the other rabbit. When you see grooming you have the start of a pretty
good match.
• End your meetings on a positive note. The bonding in
the neutral area shouldn’t last more than 30 minutes. If you
extend the date too long it might lead to upsets due to overstimulation. You should end the date after 30 minutes and
give each bunny a special treat. You want to let them know
that this is a positive experience.
Bonding Techniques: It is rare to see rabbits bond at first
sight. You will see something in the middle. There are several
techniques that you can use to create the right environment or
setting for them.
• Litter Box Use: Rabbits feel safe and are protective of their
litter box. So when you set up the bonding area use a litter box
that both of them can sit together. One rabbit might stay in
the litter box during the bonding. You might gently move the
bunny out after they have had time to use the box. You would
like to see both rabbits hop in and out of the litter box. You
can use two litter boxes if you choose. This will reduce any
territorial need to argue over who get the litter box. You
might see some minor disagreements at first. You can place
both of the rabbits together in the litter box and pet them. Let
them know it is ok to share.
• Body Language Rabbits in general will give you signs
through their body language of their actions. When the bunny
is laying down stretched out or grooming themselves they are
relaxed and comfortable. The bunny who is flirting may hop
pass the other one and move their tail. Rabbit communication is fascinating.
• If the bunny puts their head down towards the other one it
means “groom me”. When the bunny does this and there is
grooming then you are off to a good start. Mutual grooming is
also good.
ears are back with their tail up. Nipping, lunging and fur pulling are also signs of problems. You will learn what to
watch for and what to do when these behaviors occur
during your bonding session with The Rabbit Haven
matchmaker.
• Gentle Touch You can help put your rabbits at ease with a
gentle touch. When your rabbits are near each other, go
ahead and pet them together with a gentle touch from their
nose over their heads. They might feel more at ease with you
close by as they get to know each other. You can move them
side by side and pet them together. You can put a little fur
from each over the other’s nose. Remember that they are
driven by smell.
• Water Touch One way for rabbits to show their affection for
one another is to groom each other. You can help begin this
process by carrying out water touch grooming. You gently
place the bunnies facing each other and begin to lightly groom
them with the tip of your finger moistened with water. It
doesn’t matter to them who groomed first but that someone
did. Using this technique, you can also help the bunnies begin
a grooming process.
Step 4: Side by Side Home Setup (completing bonding
at your home).
Your new bunny will be living in a new home. It is critical that
the home setup is configured for bonding. You will need to
setup side by side housing. Place the X-Pens near each other but
not touching. Have the litter box, food and water bowls a mirror
image of each other. Place their greens at the boundary of their
pens. They can enjoy the company of each other as they eat.
Once a day you can either switch their litter boxes or the bunnies. Once (or more) a day for about 15 to 20 minutes, take
them to a neutral area and repeat the dating process. When they
are about to be bonded you will
see that they are lying next to
each other in the X-Pens. Be patient … stick with it!
Eventually when you can see they
get along, you may have them
together in supervised play. If
they are bonded through the day
they may be ready for the night.
The Happy Bonded Household Setup
Rabbits will need a comfortable roomy space to live, with plenty
of space for two. Have one large or two smaller litter boxes side
by side to begin with (eventually you will have just one). Place
hay nearby also so they always have fresh clean hay to eat.
Some people also place hay in the litter box. Add fresh food and
water dishes, toys and they are all set for a happy life. Be sure to
offer normal out- of- enclosure play time.
When at The Rabbit Haven, you will observe and learn how to
bond. You will be part of the matchmaking process as well. It is
essential that you, the parents, be involved in this process and
to learn how to carry out the balance of bonding at home. Call
The Rabbit Haven if you have questions or
need help.
Once you have a sweet bonded pair, you will
be very happy to watch them enjoying life
together. You will also have two rabbits to
love! Enjoy your bonded pair!
• Problem behaviors: Signs to watch out for is when the bunny’s
21
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Brought to You by
The Rabbit Haven
The Rabbit Haven
P.O. Box 66594
Scotts Valley, CA
95067
(831) 600-7479
(831) 239-7119
E-mail Auntie Heather at:
director@therabbithaven.org
Bring Your Talents and
Come Join
The Rabbit Haven Family!
We need volunteers for:
Foster Families
Adoption Counselors
Grooming
Bunny Matchmaking
Show Support
Transport to shows and vets
Office support
Special Events
Graphic Arts
Fundraising
The Rabbit Haven
is an all volunteer non-profit organization that rescues injured
and/or abandoned rabbits and then works to place these rescued rabbits
into indoor loving permanent homes. We are a foster based program with
over 60 foster sites. This volunteer foster network provides care and support for Haven rabbits while they wait for permanent adoption. The Rabbit
Haven is an active adoption organization. We hold adoption and education
shows three times every month, showing in Santa Cruz county and Sunnyvale. We provide
education, adoption services, matchmaking and bonding services at our adoption events. We
help the bunnies find the right permanent home and educate adoptive families about the joys
of having a bunny (or two) in their home! We also provide free nail trims and mini home
health checks at every show and at all of our events. The Rabbit Haven also provides support to an array of shelters and works in tandem with a variety of other non-profit rescues.
24