My involvement with rabbits began in 1999 through my daughter. She had been wanting a rabbit for a while and finally I caved in, under the condition that she save for it herself. I didn't really expect her too...
I should have known better.Since then we've had a lot of rabbits share our house, with 8 still keeping us company, 4 at the bridge and 3 moved on to forever homes. Each that have stayed with us have their own page, though we haven't told Sultan that, he has a wide egotistical streak that we're trying to keep under control.
I've had a lot of different pets over the years, and I think rabbits are by far the most fun and one of the easiest to care for. They don't require you to walk them like a dog, they're not as aloof as cats and they don't eat 4 bales of hay like a horse. They're the best of all worlds. If you're an old hand at rabbits, you'll know what I'm talking about. If you're the proud new slave of a rabbit, you've got years of joy and laughter ahead of you.
I hope you enjoy the website. I am only going to cover the basics here. There are far more experienced people than I that have excellent site that go into more details, so I have included lots of links that will help and inform you*. Feel free to use the message board for any questions you have, I check there nearly every day. If I don't have the answer I'll try to direct you to somewhere that may.
Site last updated 6 January 2004
*Note that if you click on an outside link, it will take you directly to the page. One of my pet hates on the net is getting caught in someone else's frames. To get back here, click on your back button, or alternatively, right click the link and select 'open in new window'.
A new bun has come to live with us. His family were leaving town and didn't want him any more so he came home with me. We've named him Jack (Jumping Jack Flash) because he does the biggest binkyies, loves to climb around the back rest of the couch and runs the bunny 500 constantly. He really is adorable and very affectionate. Some people just don't know what they're giving up.
Update - June 15 2003
Got (another) email asking if I had space for a little grey man who had been found playing in a park with dogs! Mischief is his name and trouble is his game! He's settled right in like he'd been here all his life.
Update - May 2003
A necropsy was performed on Holly, Miss B and Magic. The results showed that they all died from Calici(RHD or VHD). I had not used the vaccine due to some bad reports on side effects. Living in a suburban area I believed the rabbits were at minimal risk, so took time to gather more information. Unfortunately, what I didn't know is that the virus is extremely virulent and can live on a piece of cloth for up to 60 days at very high temperatures. I believe it came in on a bale of hay that had a high soil content. Although I replaced the bale immediately and didn't use if for the buns, I did store it in the same area for use in the garden. I had recently grabbed a couple of biscuits for mulch and the movement must have stirred up dust containing the virus.
Given this experience, I strongly advise you to vaccinate your rabbits and to be very wary about hay or gathered wild plants that are the least bit suspicious. I wouldn't wish the guilt I feel on anyone.
Update - 22 April 2003
Magic went to the bridge today. The circumstance were the same as Holly and B, very sudden with no warning. We rushed him to the vet as soon as I realised something was wrong but he died as I waited for the light to change with the surgery 20 feet away.
Update - 20 April 2003
Both Holly and Miss B went to the bridge within hours of each other on 18 April 2003. Like Apache it was very quick with little or no warning and no time to help them. To lose these two together so soon after Apache has been devastating and I'm at a loss as to the reasons why.
Update - 19 March 2002
Magic has come to live with us as a friend for Miss B. He's a little shy right now and can't go in with the group until he has been de-sexed. With luck they will all be together soon as he's tried to break in with them a number of times already!
Update - 2 March 2003
Sadly Apache left us for the bridge on 27 February 2003. I'll miss your sideways kisses Pachy and you'll forever be in my heart.
Update - 11 November 2002
Well two more buns have come to live with us. Miss B and Whisper. I'm working at getting their webpages up now and should have them ready in the near future. Sophie also got very sick during this time with head tilt. We were very frightened that she wouldn't make it, but, 4 weeks later, she is almost back to normal. I'll be making a special page on what we did for that too.
Update - 2 December 2001
Well, we've had four more bunnies come to our household in the past 6 months. Two Angoras from Melbourne were in desperate need of a home as their owner was moving overseas. Despite efforts we were not able to relocate them in Melbourne, so they took a plane ride here to me. Within four weeks they found a lovely new home together and have settled in nicely.
Update - 10 October 2001
Recently I received an email from a group I belong to about a female rabbit that had been found wandering. She was a little nervous and would need ongoing care due to maloccluded teeth. After some discussion with my husband we decided to take her in. The night before she arrived, the lady that was to deliver her phoned... they had just been delivered a very young dwarf rabbit that had been found wandering and would we mind taking him too. As they say, the rest is history. I'll be adding new pages soon for Holly and Rocket, our two new fur babies.
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