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Dear Friends of Rabbit Haven,
Our "Washington Liquid Sunshine" (aka "rain") is getting warmer, so spring must be on its way. That means Easter is just around the corner. This joyous holiday has, most unfortunately, become a terrible time for many rabbits. Too many people impulsively buy baby bunnies, thinking they'll be cute little fuzz balls who will stay quietly in their cages, coming out to cuddle on demand while not realizing rabbits' true temperaments and needs. Did you know that some 60% of rabbits entering rescues do so within the first year of purchase? And that's not counting the countless ones who die after being abandoned. Read on to learn what you can do to help educate people of the wonders of house rabbits and bring joy back to Easter for our beloved furry friends.
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 MAKE MINE CHOCOLATE
We, the friends of Rabbit Haven, know that rabbits make
wonderful house pets. But, sadly, we also know that
overwhelming numbers of unwanted Easter rabbits are a problem for virtually all rabbit rescues, humane societies, and animal welfare organizations. That's why "Make Mine Chocolate!" got started over 10 years ago to reduce the number of uninformed, impulse purchases by changing the public's attitude towards rabbits. Beginning with 3 women in Columbus, Ohio, it's spread worldwide. Here's the 2013 poster from the British organization. It's available, along with other downloads, sample letters, information and much more at MakeMineChocolate.org.uk |
The Easter Bunny (in memory of all the bunnies we couldn't save)
Contrary to Easter-time hype, rabbits and small children often aren't a good match. The exuberance of even the gentlest toddler can be stressful for the sensitive rabbit.
Most children like a companion they can hold and cuddle. That's why stuffed animals are so popular. Rabbits are not passive and cuddly. They are ground-loving creatures who feel frightened and insecure when held and restrained. The result of a short-sighted purchase of an Easter rabbit: the child loses interest, and the rabbit ends up neglected or abandoned.
Grab some Kleenex and read this poem, which first appeared several years ago on the House Rabbit Society's website and has since gone viral.
I remember Easter Sunday
It was colorful and fun
The new life that I'd begun
In my new cage.
I was just a little thing
When they brought me from the store
And they put me on the floor
In my cage.
They would take me out to play
Love and pet me all the time
Then at day's end I would climb
In my cage.
But as days and weeks went by
I saw less of them it seemed
Of their loving touch I dreamed
In my cage.
In the night outside their house
I felt sad and so neglected
Often scared and unprotected
In my cage.
In the dry or rainy weather
Sometimes hotter sometimes colder
I just sat there growing older
In my cage.
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The cat and dog raced by me Playing with each other only While I sat there feeling lonely In my cage.
Upon the fresh green grass Children skipped and laughed all day I could only watch them play From my cage.
They used to take me out And let me scamper in the sun I no longer get to run In my cage.
Once a cute and cuddly bunny Like a little ball of cotton Now I'm grown up and forgotten In my cage.
I don't know what went wrong At the home I did inhabit I just grew to be a rabbit In my cage.
But they've brought me to the pound I was once loved and enjoyed Now I wait to be destroyed In my cage.
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Poem by Mary Brandolino |
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"Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting thing to have." (A.A. Milne)
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ADOPTION SUCCESS STORIES!
And now for some smiles.
When Twinkie's beloved owner died last year and the rest of her human family was unable to take care of her, she was brought to Rabbit Haven. When Katie's beloved rabbit died the day before Valentine's Day, she thought she needed a long time before she would be ready to adopt another rabbit. But when the two of them met last month at Rabbit Haven, they fell in love instantly, are now inseparable, and are living happily ever after. Don't you just love happy endings?
Christopher Robin had been longing for a forever friend. But unlike the boy in the book and his faithful teddy bear, Christopher Robin the rabbit now has a faithful basset hound named Louis. We'll admit, such inter-species friendships aren't as common as bonded bunnies, but during their time together in Rabbit Haven's "meet and greet" area, it became clear to everyone that they'd soon be fast friends. Here's a picture of Louis and Christopher Robin meeting each other. We hope to show some bunny-basset snuggling in future newsletters!
Looking for a happy ending for yourself? Come to Rabbit Haven to meet your own handsome prince or beautiful princess, or maybe one of each!
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Baldrick enjoys peeking out of a banana box, and would love a "bunny on board" sticker.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Just like "Baby On Board" stickers can alert rescue personnel to look for a child in your car in the case of an accident, there are "Pet Alert" stickers to put on your house in the case of an emergency. Remember that unlike barking dogs, rabbits cannot make noise to alert firefighters of their presence.
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 | | Gwen & Emily demonstrate that when cleaning is done, there's always a rabbit to snuggle. |
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We're thrilled with new volunteers who have recently joined our merry band! But we can always use more to pick-up, sort &/or chop veggies, feed rabbits, help with office tasks, and a myriad of other chores necessary to keep Rabbit Haven going. Contact Sue at sue@rabbithaven.org if you can help weekly, as a substitute, or for special projects at Rabbit Haven in Gig Harbor, Washington.
For you folks who live a bit further north, Rabbit Meadows in Redmond, Washington is also in need of help. To find more about them or to contact Sandi, check out http://www.rabbitmeadows.org
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 | | Miss Demeanor strikes an innocent pose and asks coyly, "Who, me?" |
BUNNY IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The call came out from 911: "Calling all cars, calling all cars! Rabbit spotted in the Olympia City Jail parking lot. Warning: she is armed with cuteness and is considered dangerously adorable."
Upon arriving at Rabbit Haven, this fuzzy felon quickly proved herself to be skilled at stealing hearts. So, how could we help but name her "Miss Demeanor"?
Looking for a cell mate? Stop by Rabbit Haven to meet Miss Demeanor. She'd love to serve a life sentence with a forever family.
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 | Emily's watching to make sure you mark your calendar.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
We hope you've been saving your gently used pet supplies such as litter boxes, bowls, leashes and more for pets of all kinds. We'll be having a Used Pet Supply Sale this Memorial Day Weekend.
And, our 2013 Auction will be on Saturday, September 28 at the Inn at Gig Harbor. We're already planning ways to make this year's auction even bigger and better than before.
Watch our website, Facebook page and upcoming newsletters for more details on these fabulously fun events!
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The barn is located in Gig Harbor, Washington
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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.
Rabbit Haven
PO Box 2268
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
 | | Charlie Parker & Billie Holiday approved of this newsletter and would love to chill out to some cool jazz with some hep cats. Can you dig it? |
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