Good Hare Day

New Alumni Page

2012-01-21T13:07:00.001-08:00

Check out our new Alumni page to the right.
Send us your letter or pictures for the bunnies you have adopted! We will keep posting new pictures as we get them.
It really makes our day to see the bunnies in happy homes!

Pairs and Trios, Oh My!

2011-12-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

It is not the easiest thing to bond two bunnies together. Just like people, some get along wonderfully, and some do not.
If you are thinking of adding more than one bunny to your home, why not consider adopting buns that have already been bonded! They don't take up too much more space than a single bunny.

We have several at the shelter, waiting for their forever homes!
Meet Georgia, Cocoa Puff and S'mores. These girls were born to Dove. Her story is heartbreaking. Dove was found stray by the side of the road. Her mate had been hit by a car, and she wouldn't leave him. She was already pregnant, and gave birth to 7 babies at the shelter. These three sisters are very loving with each other. A trio is 3 times the fun!

Meet Mr. Peepers and Teddi Beara. They are some of our longer time residents. They were put together, and it was Love at First Sight! They dote on each other constantly. Don't think that they wont want affection from you, since they are so bonded to each other. They both love (especially Mr Peepers!) to be petted and loved on by the volunteers at the shelter.

And previously introduced in the blog, but please meet again, Hanson and Mack
Hanson & Mack are cuteness times two! They (& two other brothers) were born just a few days after their mom was rescued by a Good Samaritan where she was discovered living under a car. Mom and her 4 babies were brought to the shelter and put into foster care where they could grow into experienced house bunnies. These loving cuties are very curious and enjoy running around and practicing their binkies.

If you would love to share your home with any of these beautiful pairs or trios, hop over to our adoption application so this bun can start a new life at your home!

Santa Pictures coming soon!

2011-11-13T04:54:00.000-08:00

We will be having our annuall Santa pictures fundraiser on Sunday December 4th from Noon-3pm at the shelter. We hope to see everyone there!
Here are some pictures from last years event:

Hanson & Mack

2011-10-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

Hanson & Mack are cuteness times two! They (& two other brothers) were born just a few days after their mom was rescued by a Good Samaritan where she was discovered living under a car. Mom and her 4 babies were brought to the shelter and put into foster care where they could grow into experienced house bunnies. These loving cuties are very curious and enjoy running around and practicing their binkies. Please consider opening your heart and home to these precious boys. They are guaranteed to be double the fun!!

In Loving Memory

2011-07-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

There is a new page to the right, to memorialize the buns we have loved and lost.

I'll lend you, for a little while, a bunny of mine, He said
For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead.
It may be for twelve or thirteen years or maybe less than three.
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring you charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I can not promise he will stay as all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there that I want this bun to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now you will give him all your love- not to think this labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again.

I fancied that I heard them say, Dear Lord thy will be done
For all the joy this bun shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run
We'll shower him with tenderness and love while we may
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.

And should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

Author Unknown

The House rabbit Society - Southeastern PA- Delaware Chapter

2011-07-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

Who we are and what we do
Domestic rabbits are the 3rd most common animal found in shelters.
Several months after Easter, the "dump rate" increases dramatically as people discard their unwanted adolescent rabbits, usually because these individuals impulsively purchased a rabbit on the spur of the moment, or failed to educate themselves on rabbit care and behavior. Other rabbits are turned loose to fend for themselves, usually with fatal results, since domestic rabbits do not have the survival skills to live in the wild. In addition, many pet stores sell rabbits year round.
The House Rabbit Society is a national, nonprofit (501c) all volunteer organization, established in 1989, which works to:
take rabbits in from shelters when their time is up, so they wont be euthanized, and
Educate the public on what wonderful indoor companions rabbits can be.

The Southeaster PA- Delaware chapter of the House Rabbit Society is located in Newport, DE and works with SPCA, Humane Societies and animal shelters in Pennsylvania and Delaware. We offer adoptions of rescued, spayed/neutered and litter box trained rabbits, and pair bonding, and nail trimming.
We are a no-kill foster home and sanctuary, which means the rabbits may stay with us for as long as they need shelter.
Every effort is made to ensure the best match of a rabbits personality to the prospective adopters. Our adoption fee of $75 covers only the expenses for the spay/neuter surgery. We survive on donations!
Your help is welcome and needed. If you would like to help us as we care for abandoned rabbits, please contact us at 302-683-9009, or goodhareday @ gmail.com

Oryctoichthyes: Why Rabbits?

2011-06-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

Oryctoichthyes: Why Rabbits?: "Why rabbits? You know, it seems like I’ve been asked this question a lot lately. Why did I choose pet rabbits? Why do I choose to he..."

Top 10 "Did You Know" about the shelter

2011-06-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

Have questions about the shelter? Here are some things you may not know about the shelter. Do you still have questions? Ask us!
1. Everyone at the shelter is a volunteer. We clean and feed the rabbits every day of the week, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas included. Saturdays we do a bigger cleaning each week. We make sure the bunnies get vet care, are litter box trained, and socialized. We make sure there is always enough hay, veggies, litter and pellets available. This is all in addition to our full time jobs, families and rabbits at home. Many of our volunteers spend 8-10 hours week at the shelter.
2. When a rabbit comes through our doors, they are with us for as long as it takes to find their forever home. That could be 6 days or 6 years. When someone adopts, they choose the bunny that is the best fit for their family. The bunnies that stay longer in the shelter are sometimes just the quiet ones, that don't sell them selves like the more active ones. They are still loving bunnies and are waiting for their forever loving home.
3. We offer Boarding services for while you are on vacation. Please call as far in advance to book the space, especially near the holidays, to ensure the space is available.
4. We offer quality supplies in our store. Oxbow hay and pellets, and toys and supplies.
5. We also offer nail trims for a $5 donation.
6. We are unable to help with wild bunnies. Please call your closest wildlife rehabber.
7. If your rabbit is sick or injured, please call your vet right away. We are not veterinarians, and we are unable to diagnose over the phone.
8. We do not receive any funds from the state or federal government. All the money used to cover expenses is generously donated. And tax deductible- please consult your tax accountant.
9. The $75 adoption fee barely covers the spay/neuter that was done for the bunny. There is also other vet bills, rent, phone, electric, trash, food, litter, etc.
10. That being said, our biggest need is always Volunteers! If you are thinking about adoption, volunteering is a great way to meet all of the bunnies. We need about 6-7 people each Saturday to clean the shelter. We hope to see you soon at the shelter.

Who should be the REAL Easter Bunny?

2011-04-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

Who should be the REAL Easter Bunny? Let the courts figure it out.

"Scooter,, do you poop?"
"Yes I do, I eat a lot, so I poop a lot"

Rabbits and Easter

2011-04-05T14:31:00.000-07:00

Are you thinking about buying a rabbit for Easter? If you are thinking of getting one from a breeder (even a person who is breeding "just once"), or from a pet store, please take a moment to consider adoption. You can purchase a rabbit pretty cheaply from a pet store or a breeder. The rabbit will be small and cute. But they will not be spayed or neutered. Please call around to get prices for that surgery before you think our adoption fee is too high. If you think you can skip the surgery, know that males will spray just like an un-neutered male cat will. There will be a lot of time and energy spent on cleaning your floors, walls and clothing. If you get a girl, and she turns out to be pregnant, are you able to suddenly have 8-10 rabbits to care for? Baby rabbits are small and cute. But they grow up very quickly. They will be full grown before the end of summer. Will the cage you purchase for them now still be big enough for them? Will your children still want to feed them, give them fresh water and hay every day, and interact with them? Rabbits live 8-10 years. How old will your child be when the rabbit is old, and needs extra attention? Will they be more into dating, or sports? Maybe going off to college? Are you willing to take full responsibility for the rabbit? Rabbits are not the best pets for small children. They do not want to be held or cuddled. Is your child old enough to understand that they need to allow the rabbit to be a rabbit? That they could hurt the rabbit by picking them up, or petting them too aggressively? Are you OK with the thought of some property destruction? Even with a well "bunny-proofed" home, the new bunny may pee on the carpet, or chew some furniture and baseboards. This is especially true if they are young and un-neutered. If you have read all of this, and still want to buy from a pet store, please give us a call, or send an email. Stop by the shelter to see how many bunnies are waiting for a home. They are all there because someone had thought it was a good idea to get a rabbit- didn't get them spayed or neutered, and then decided they no longer wanted to be responsible for the bunny. Rabbits are amazing pets. The joy and love received from them is amazing. But they are not low-maintenance pets. And we want to be sure that anyone considering a rabbit knows what they are getting into before they have made that 8-10 year commitment.

Upcoming Shelter Events

2011-03-29T17:12:00.000-07:00

Our Wine for Wabbits fundraiser is coming up quickly- Saturday April 9th, from 4-8pm at Deerfield Fine Wines in Newark, Delaware. (the shelter will be closed that Saturday) Also coming up is our Annual Open House, on May 7th. Both are big fundraisers for the shelter, and we would love to see everyone at one or both of our events. Adoption fees cover a small portion of expenses at the shelter. We rely on donations to cover the daily expenses. We are an All Volunteer Non Profit organization. All donations go directly to the care of the rabbits. The weeks in between the wine tasting and the Open House, we will be doing Spring Cleaning at the shelter. Weather permitting, we take all the cages outside for power washing, and give everything inside a good cleaning. Volunteers are the heart of the shelter. Would you be able spare a few hours on a Saturday to help out? If it is on a spring cleaning weekend, or any Saturday, volunteers are greatly appreciated. If you are thinking about adopting a rabbit, volunteering is a good place to start. If you are going to be a first time Bunny Parent, it is a good way to see what you are getting into. Even for experienced Bunny Parents, it is an excellent way to meet the bunnies and learn who would be the best match for you. Easter is coming up. Please let everyone you know that rabbits are great pets. They just may not be the best for everyone, especially families with very small children. If anyone you know is considering buying a rabbit for Easter, please talk to them about the responsibilities of having a rabbit. And please talk to them about adopting a rabbit that has been spayed/neutered and litterbox trained. Check out http://www.makeminechocolate.org/questions.php to see if a rabbit is a good choice for you. Check out all of our adoptable buns on Petfinder.com and Adoptapet.com However you can help, donating, volunteering, adopting or educating others- Thank you!

2011-03-12T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybun!
Petfinder.com is turning 15. Help celebrate by telling someone out the joys of adopting. On March 15th, post on your blog or facebook page to tell everyone how important it is to adopt a rabbit, not to purchase one from a breeder. With all of us working together, we can make a difference.

Wine Tasting Fundraiser April 9th 2011

2011-02-09T17:17:00.000-08:00

Please spread the word! We hope to see everyone there! Please tell your friends.

February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month

2011-02-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

Check out the Article on rabbit.org:
http://www.rabbit.org/adopt-a-rabbit-month/adopt.html
But isn't EVERY month really Adopt a rescued rabbit month?
For the Featured bun, please let me introduce Clark.
Clark was named after Clark Kent. He came to us as part of a cruelty/neglect case through Prince Georges County MD. He was very shy and scared at first. He is coming out of his shell now, and learning that people are here to help him. This sweet man deserves a loving forever home. Please fill out an application and make an appointment to come to the shelter to meet Clark. If this little one appeals to you, hop over to our adoption application so this bun can start a new life at your home!

Featured Bun - Sterling

2011-01-16T07:59:00.000-08:00

Meet Sterling, our current Featured Bun
He was part of a group of 16 rabbits that were confiscated by police from a cockfighting ring in north Philadelphia. He was so very thin when he came to us. But after some time in a foster home, he has blossomed into a happy big boy!
Sterling loves to move things around and chew on his cardboard boxes.
If you would like to meet Sterling, and make him a part of your family, please fill out the adoption application http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/se-pennsylvania/form.html

Featured Bun - Dudley

2010-12-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

There are some rabbits that find homes very quickly. Others take a little longer to find their Forever Home. This is usually though no fault of their own. They use their litter boxes and have good Bunny Manners. We are starting a series featuring some of these bunnies, in the hopes of being able to find their new human parents soon!

First is Dudley. He is a ruggedly handsome Lionhead. When he first came to the shelter his mane was not near as full as it is now. Dudley came from a seizure at a mobile home- there were 50 rabbits living in that one mobile home! He stayed at the Prince Georges County SPCA for a while before getting his 2nd chance at the HRS.

If you would like to adopt Dudley, please fill out the adoption application http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/se-pennsylvania/form.html

The new and improved LL Bun Store!

2010-12-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

Adoptapet.com

2010-11-27T16:31:00.001-08:00

We are now listing our buns on adoptapet.com. Check us out!

Shelter News

2010-11-24T06:35:00.000-08:00

We have had 2 adoptions in the past couple weeks- Winston and Maigo! We miss them both, but are happy to see them go to happy homes.
There are still so many bunnies waiting at the shelter for their forever homes. Take a look at our listings on Petfinder.com to see if there is a somebun there waiting to join your family for the holidays!
Also remember that Santa Pictures are coming up quickly. December 5th from 12-3:00. See you then!

2010-11-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

Don't forget- Coming soon is our annual Pictures with Santa Event at the shelter. It is December 5th 12-3. Bring your bunny to have their picture taken with Santa! or just bring yourself for the good times!

November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month!

2010-11-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

Celebrate with us: November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month!
We receive many calls at the shelter from people looking for a baby rabbit, or a very young rabbit. I understand wanting to have as many years ahead of you with your new companion as possible. However, please think of the older rabbits also, that may have been waiting for a long time to find their permanent home.

Thank you to the Petfinder.com blog- this is a slightly modified version of a post there:

10 Reasons Senior Bunnies Rule:
1. When senior rabbits are adopted, they seem to understand that they've been rescued, and are all the more thankful for it.
2. A senior rabbits personality has already developed, so you'll know if he or she is a good fit for your family.
3. You can teach an old rabbit new tricks. Senior rabbits have the attention span and impulse control that makes them easier to train than their youthful counterparts.
4. In particular, senior rabbits are often already house trained, or can be more easily house trained than a young bunny with a tiny bladder.
5. A senior rabbit won't grow any larger, so you'll know exactly how much pet you're getting.
6. Senior rabbits are often content to just relax in your company, unlike younger pets, who may get into mischief because they're bored.
7. Speaking of relaxing, senior rabbits make great napping buddies.
8. Senior rabbits know that toys (not shoes) are for chewing.

9. Senior pets are some of the hardest to find homes for -- so when you adopt a senior rabbit, you're truly saving a life.

10. Senior bunnies will love you special best!

Shelter News

2010-10-31T16:38:00.001-07:00

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us at the Wine Tasting last weekend. It was a great success. We plan on doing another one in the Spring with a Bunny Hop theme! It is tentatively scheduled April 9th. More details to come.
Coming soon is our annual Pictures with Santa Event at the shelter. It is December 5th 12-3. Bring your bunny to have their picture taken with Santa. We also do a 2nd scene that is different each year. We cant tell what it is going to be, you have to come to find out! There will also be some fun raffles, and the amazing Grab Bags. Please stop in to join us with or without your bunny to support the shelter.

2010-10-23T17:43:00.001-07:00

We hope to see you there-Come for a while, or stay the whole time.
The bunnies thank you!

Halloween is coming!

2010-09-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

We know that Halloween is over a month away. But with the weather getting cooler, I thought it was a good time to post this. If you adopted from us, please send us pictures and let us know how they are doing!

Darrol

2010-09-07T17:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Tails

2010-08-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

Have you adopted a bun from the SE PA-DE House Rabbit Society? Contact us at goodhareday@gmail.com with your pictures and story.
This is the story of Taz, adopted by one of our volunteers:

My Name is Schotzie Now

Taz was about a year old when he came to the House Rabbit Society. His time was up at the SPCA. He was as cute as could be, a Netherland Dwarf and all of one pound 10 ounces. He had tattoos in his ears, so he was used either for breeding or as a show rabbit. You won't usually see pure breed animals turned in to the SPCA. Taz had some behavioral issues, so he probably wasn't serving the purpose of either a breeding rabbit, or for show. He was turned in to the SPCA as if he was an appliance that was brought back to the store because it did not work.

It was true that Taz did have some issues. The Volunteers at the shelter had to put on leather gloves and wrap a towel around their arm just to reach into his cage to clean the litter box. Taz would not only bite you, but he would not let go!

Taz was quickly neutered, hoping that would calm him down. Even at the Vet's Taz was a handful. He was put in a fish tank and given gas to sedate him enough that the vet could put him under for the operation. However, his behavior was learned over the past year of his life, and it would take time to unlearn it. We don't know why he behaved so badly, maybe his previous owners hit him. I could not imagine anyone striking an animal that weighed less than two pounds!

Since Taz was not adoptable with his biting, I took him home to foster. I was hoping I could work with him and give him time to overcome his fears. I hand fed him his carrot every morning. He would eat while I was holding the carrot to learn that my hand was good, and would not hurt him. I would handle him a little each day so he would get used to it. You should have seen the look on my Uncle's face when I brought Taz downstairs at Christmas with my leather gloves on! He thought I was nuts for bringing him into my home.

Little by little Taz's behavior improved. He doesn't bite at all anymore. His name is Schotzie now. That means Sweetheart in German. It fits him so much better than Taz. He sleeps in bed with me, just lying at my feet or next to my pillow. He runs and plays and does binkies. Binkies are jumps for joy in bunny body language. I couldn't imagine not having Schotzie. The bite marks are gone, but the happy bunny is here to stay.

Next time you are considering adopting a bunny, please consider ALL of the bunnies in the shelter. The ones that may have a behavioral or medical problem may just turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you.

Schotzie

2010-08-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the SE PA-DE House Rabbit Society blog! We will be posting news from the shelter here. Please check back often.
Its been a busy couple weeks recently. We have had 7 new rabbits come into the shelter last week. There is hardly a day that goes by without calls from people wanting to surrender their rabbits. Please talk to everyone you know and tell them about the joys of having a rabbit, and also the responsibilities.
We work with area shelters, taking in rabbits that are scheduled to be euthanized, and we are unable to accept owner surrendered rabbits. (Unless the rabbit was originally adopted from our shelter)

Here are some of the buns that recently joined us:

Petty

Colton

Tudi

Mariposa

Chico

2010-08-01T17:50:00.000-07:00

The bunnies need YOU!
Can you spare some time to help a bunny down on his luck?

Every Saturday morning, dedicated volunteers come to the shelter to help clean the rabbit’s cages, feed them, fill their water bottles, give them exercise, and groom them. Without these volunteers, the shelter wouldn’t exist. Without them, the rabbit you adopted would not have been saved.

Please come in to volunteer on a Saturday morning. We start cleaning about 10 or 10:30. Depending on how many volunteers come, we are done about noon or 1:00. Even if you were able to come in a couple times a year, it would be a great help. You can call the shelter to let us know you are coming or stop by the shelter.

There is always something better to do on a Saturday morning than get dirty. We all have families, jobs, and other obligations that make it hard to make the time to come in. Everyone you see at the shelter is a volunteer. Everything done for and with the bunnies is all on volunteered time. But taking that time out of our busy lives to help the bunnies is rewarding, and will bring good Bunny Karma!

This is a slightly modified poem I found. I think it is why we do what we do:

I adopted your bunny today.
The one you left at the pound.
The one you had for ten years
And no longer wanted around.

I adopted your bunny today.
Do you know he's lost weight?
Do you know he's scared and depressed
And has lost all faith?

I adopted your bunny today.
He had fleas and a cold,
But don't worry none.
You've unburdened your load.

I adopted your bunny today.
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies
Or was there no reason he couldn't stay?

I adopted your bunny today.
He doesn't play or eat much.
He's very depressed,
But he will learn again to trust.

I adopted your bunny today
And here he will stay.
He's found his forever home
And a warm bed to lay.

I adopted your bunny today
And I will give him all that he could need.
Patience, love, security, and understanding.
Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed