Rabbit Haven
Rabbit Haven Newsletter March 2009
Chocolate bunny
Make Mine Chocolate
 
Rabbit Haven receives about 6 requests each week from people wanting to surrender their pet rabbit and sadly, we don't have room for all of them. So before you bring a pet rabbit into your home at Easter, please consider these facts:MakeMineChocolate
  • Rabbits are NOT low-maintenance pets! They require as much work as a dog or cat.
  • Rabbits can live 8 to 10 years, sometimes longer.
  • The necessary spay or neuter can cost $100 or more, and rabbits require routine veterinary care for an "exotic" vet.
  • Rabbits are not cuddley - As prey animals they can become frightened when held!
  • Pet rabbits cannot be set "free" - it's a death sentence.

This Easter make it a chocolate bunny or a cuddley stuffed toy instead. Let's make it a Happy Easter for bunnies, too!

Spread the word that pets, including rabbits and chicks at Easter, are NOT disposable.
 
 
 
Donate items for the bunnies through Amazon.com!
 
My Amazon.com Wish List
 
Rabbit Haven is now registered with Amazon.com.
 
Check out our Wish List by clicking on the button above.
 
It works like a baby registry to track items that are purchased and the donations are sent directly to us.
 
Easy peasy!
 
 
Petco to Offer Neutered Rabbits for Adoption
 
 Petco is reaching out to animal welfare agencies and local rescue groups in an effort to greatly increase the number of rabbits that find forever homes by offering adoptions at its stores nationwide.
 
In recent years, about a third of the company's nearly 950 stores have offered neutered rabbits for sale, and the company is phasing out rabbit sales in favor of adoptions.
 
Petco already has strong relationships with about 70 rabbit adoption groups and is communicating with the national House Rabbit Society to build additional relationships with local chapters and affiliates.
 
Petco CEO Jim Myers says, "Rabbits are great companion animals, and we belive Petco can play a pivotal role in partnering with animal welfare groups to connect responsible pet parents with happy, healthy neutered rabbits through in-store adoptions nationwide."
 
Way to go Petco!
 
 
What's New at the Barn
 
warren bunny
Alexis comes every Saturday to take care clean out the old veggies and hay, wash the dishes and refill the pellets and water in the warren. As a college student she doesn't live where she can have a bun of her own, so she gets her "fix" while volunteering at Rabbit Haven. We're so happy she's here. Welcome!
 
 

What's New at the Annex 

We've finished installing the insulation on the ceiling of the barn. and it's already helping with the heating bills.  
 
After months of calling, Angie found a tree service who delivered a load of bunny-safe wood chips for the outdoor pens and runs. Just in time. Yeah!
 
We have a new volunteer!  Molly will be helping out through tax season, at least while Angie is busy at her "paying job" as an accountant. She doesn't have any rabbits... yet, but has rescued a dog, three cats and two guinea pigs and worked at an anmial shelter before volunteering with us.  It's so nice to have her around.
 
 
 Adoptions 
 yardsale pic
Ruthie was adopted by a couple who also rescue black cats and we hear she's already made herself at home with her new roomies. (Black animals are often overlooked in shelters.) 
 
 
 
 
yardsale pic
Blackberry met and bonded with a little girl and we know this friendly little guy is much happier now with his new family.
 
Arrivals
 
Ewok  Ewok - She arrived with Saffron and Turbo from Tacoma after the last big flooding.  She's a young little girl who thinks she may just like people after all, but not as much as she likes banana.
 
 
 
 
 
Saffron  Saffron - She is earning the nickname "Houdini" and can easily jump a two foot xpen. She's still getting use to noises but if you sit next to her, she'll snuggle up to you and purr when you pet her fluffy lionhead mane.
 
 
 
 
Turbo  Turbo - He is probably the friendliest of the three. He has a little bit of a mane and his coat has shades of brown. Like all our bunnies, he's been "altered" and now he's looking for a friend.
 
 
 
 
yardsale pic  Blackberry - He is all black with a little white smudge on his nose. He's very friendly and runs right up to the door when a human comes by. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
yardsale pic  Ziggy - This beautiful boy was mad, confused then sad when he came to us. His human had lost his house and couldn't keep Ziggy any longer.  He likes attention and is will do binkies when he's in an outside pen.
 
 
See all our adoptable bunnies at: http://www.rabbithaven.org/Adoptions/adoptions.htm
Woofstock 2009 
 
They're doing it again! 
 
The Summer's Pet Adoption Music Festival, sponsored by the Dugan Foundation, is scheduled for Sunday, August 9th.  Rescue and adoption groups from all around the northwest will join
merchants for an afternoon of fun and music for the whole family, including your pets!  Last year 102 dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, ferrets and rats found families to call their own. 
 
Because a family needs to be set up for a rabbit before they bring him/her home, we don't take rabbits for adoption, but we did have the seven babies with us last year. It's great opportunity to educate people about rabbits as pets and their special needs
 
Time, location, merchants, bands and attending rescue organization information forthcoming.
 
Household poisons

 
Sunday, March 15 kicks off National Poison Prevention Week-a perfect time to learn what's poisonous to your pet. In 2008, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxins, many of which were everyday household items. Some of the worst offenders were those living things that keep your home fresh and green-household plants!

In honor of National Poison Prevention Week, the ASPCA has put together a video of toxicologist, Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Animal Health Services, discussing the dangers of 17 common plants that you may have in your homes right now, including lilies, chrysanthemum, Tulip/Narcissus bulbs, amaryllis  and sago palm. Dr. Hansen shows you examples of each plant, so you'll know exactly what to look out for.
 
Top 10 Human Medications That Poison Our Pets
 
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, and can cause serious problems even in minimal doses. Pets are extremely sensitive to their effects, and may experience stomach and intestinal ulcers and-in the case of cats-kidney damage.

Antidepressants can cause vomiting and lethargy and certain types can lead to serotonin syndrome-a condition marked by agitation, elevated body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, disorientation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.

Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen, which can damage red blood cells and interfere with their ability to transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause liver damage and, at higher doses, red blood cell damage.

Methylphenidate, medications used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in people act as stimulants in pets and can dangerously elevate heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature, as well as cause seizures.

Pseudoephedrine is a popular decongestant in many cold and sinus products, and acts like a stimulant if accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it causes elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures.
Remember, if you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

 
About Rabbit Haven
We are a non-profit shelter and sanctuary dedicated to the care of unwanted and mistreated rabbits ... until they all have homes.
 
The barn is in Gig Harbor with an annex in Carnation, WA.
 
PO Box 2268
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335
Rabbit Haven
206-351-2637
 
In This Issue
Make Mine Chocolate
Donate through Amazon.com
Barn News
Annex News
Recent Adoptions
New Arrivals
Hare Doo
Thank You
 
Quick Links
 
Join Our Mailing List
 
Forward to a Friend 
 
You can now view our past newletters.
 
View our
ARCHIVE
 
Hare Doo
 
It's time to start thinking about preparing your garden and we can help you.
 
 Gardening bunny
 
Get your HARE DOO! 
Of all animal wastes, rabbit droppings have the highest nitrogen content. Rabbit droppings also contain phosphorus which is important for flowers and fruit trees. Many manures must first be composted before they can be applied to your garden. Should you fail to compost them first, you risk buring your plants. Rabbit droppings do not have to be composted they can be applied directly to your garden and they don't smell like other fertilizers.
 
Fill a black garbage bag for $5 donation.  Bring a garbage can to fill for $10 or a truck load for $40.
 
Come to the Gig Harbor barn any Saturday afternoon to load. If you want to pick up from Carnation, contact Angie for a time and directions.
 
Thank You
 
We wanted to thank our 2008 donors. Our apologies if we missed anyone, We certainly appreciate all the help we receive.
 
A Swell Yarn Shop Adcock, Stephanie
Adlin, Tamara
Akamatsu, John
Allison, Jill
Amble, Teresa
Anderlik, Barbara
Anderson, Arlene
Anderson, Denise
Anderson, Katherine
Anderson, Tracie & Nick
Anderson, William & Family
Balman, Jenny
Bekins, Barbara
Bellis, Linda
Berger, Pat
Black, Marnie
Bloomquist, Trinna
Blum, Diane
Bolick, Robert & Anna
Bonenfant, Jane
Bower, Cynthia & Raymond
Bresnan, Kerri
Brown, Terry
Buchanan, Jane & Doug
Buchman, Vidette
Butts, Karen
Calabrese, Tonie
Cammers, Claudia & Ron
Carrier, Susan
Caswell, Yukie & Colin
Chee, Joyce
Christensen, Michael
Chryst, Nance
Chu, Grace
Churchill, Cheryl
Conrad, Kimberly
Costella, Susan
Cota, Eric
Crum, Alana
Cruz, Bella
Cutting, Caitlin
Day, Julie
Dick, Col William
Diveley, Brian
Dragich, Viki & Chris
Durso, Jan
Easterwood, Carlene
Edmondson, Lisa
Erickson, Jeff & Celeste
Eshelman, Barry
Fetzner, Diana
Fixler, Julie
Florea, Michelle
Flower Andrea
Foust, Cruzline
Frazier, Jerry & Anne
Frey, Jennifer
Fukumoto, Asa
Gaughran, Lisa
Ghayem, Sonia
Gilson, Troy
Gottschalk, Helen
Green, Angie
Green, Den & Jeff
Grone, Samatha
Guy, Victoria
Gwilyn, Janet
Haas, Karen
Hamilton, Tina
Hall, Pamala
Harder, Robyn
Hendrickson, M R
Henry, Christina
Higday, Pat & Bill
Historic Seattle Preservation
Hoffman, Lana & Mike
Homan, Richard & Mary
Hotson, Victoria
Hunt, Chris
Ingram, Brooke
Ingram, Sam & Elin
Irish, Lura
Jaeger, Troy & Cynthia
Jenn
Jorgensen, Joshua
Julich, Steve & Hannah
Kohler, Charles
Konkle, Kathy & Dave
Korby, Judy
Kozaks, Lee Ann
Lacheney, Amber
Lawrence, Steven
Lay, Douglas & Susan
Leiby, Susan
Linsley, Ikim
Lucas, Sandra
Lux, Edith
Maddalossa, Phillip
Madrona, Chandra
Martin, Tracy
Mazour, Angela
McAvoy, Cathy & Dana
McCole, Cheryl
McCotter, Ralph & Susan
Meints, Eileen
Melton-Todd, Denise
Meranto, Keefer & Britt
Michelena, Cyndi
Milewski, Sue
Mohler, Carrie
Moody, Keith & Stephanie
Moss, Debbie
Mullen, Tracy
Murrary, Michael
Nakisha
Nelson, Allsion
Norris, Nancy
Nydam, Mona
Nydam, Mona
OHara, Mike & Rita
Overson, Kevin
Parkinson, Skip & Tammie
Parrott, Julie
Parrott, Shani
Parry, Dave
Pascoe, Lorence
Pedersen, Beth & Henry
Pederson, Hank
Phipps, Stacy
Piazza, Gina
Proctor, Micheal & Family
Pui-Chung Lee, Pauline
Ranger, Deidre
Regan, Susan & Thomas
Reed, Marueen
Redmone, Lisa
Renovetz, Susan
Reyns, Brook & Micheal
Ricketson, Tina
Rodriguez, Jon & Laurie
Rubins, Suzanne
Sanders, Robert & Darlene
Seattle Tilth Assoc
Seeger, Richard
Shaffer, Stacy
Simmons, Bonnie
Skibinski, Katie
Smith, Bev
Spencer, Nicholas
Stephens, Annalisa
Stoltz, Jennifer
Stout, Jack
Stuparyk, Emily
Sullivan, Ellen
Summers, Leann
Sylvia Lake Country Club
Takahashi, Victoria
Taylor, Mark & Sara
Tebot, Deborah
Tow, Kristin.
Trovarelli, Judith & Mario
Wagner, Helen & Bill
Walker, Ruth
Walker, Viki
Waterman, Chris & Nichole
Wegeleben, Debbie
Whetsell, Jennifer
Williamson, Jeanne
Wires, Christy
Wood, Penelope
Wulff, Marisa
Yoder, Victoria

IcemanThe End
 
 
 
Iceman