House Rabbit Society

We have an adorable update to share about Cowgirl (formerly Lima Bean), who was adopted from House Rabbit Society earlier this year. If you would like to follow along on her journey, she can be found on Instagram at instagram.com/binkiesbycowgirl!

Her adopter shares, "Cowgirl has brought so much love and healing into my home after losing my soulmate bunny. She is gentle, playful, and just about the cuddliest bunny I've ever met.

Cowgirl is a quirky bunny who refuses to walk on hardwood. Her life is one big game of 'the floor is lava.' After adding rugs around the house to help her get around, she's become my little shadow. She hangs out next to me all day while I work in my office, patiently waits for lettuce scraps when I cook, and snuggles up to me on the couch every evening.

When she wants attention, she's at my side, giving me a little 'boop' with her nose. Then, she melts into a pancake while I pet her until my arm is sore. She'll take a turn grooming me and then nuzzle her head back under my hand.

Not only is Cowgirl patient with children, she seems to genuinely enjoy being around them. She likes being part of the activity, especially if it involves being fed! She is obsessed with toys made from cardboard and willow, and loves to push her puzzle ball around the house to get her pellets. She's also learning a few tricks and is already an expert at 'kiss.'

I'm very grateful to HRS for bringing this sweet girl into my life. I felt an instant connection with her and I wasn’t wrong. I feel like I struck gold twice, with Cowgirl and my previous bunny Baklava both coming from HRS. Loving these little bunnies has changed me for the better!"

Thinking about finding a friend for your rabbit, but not sure what to expect when you sign up for a speed date? Just like people, rabbits can be picky about their partners! Learn how potential matches are chosen, what to look for during introductions, and how rabbits let us know when they’ve found “the one.” Read "A Walkthrough of Bunny Dating at HRS" on our blog for an inside look at the process from one of our speed dating volunteers: houserabbit.org/updates/a-walkthrough-of-bunny-dating-at-hrs

Meet Patrick Star, a big who truly loves being part of the action. As his foster says, "If you want someone to greet you when you enter the room, Patrick Star is your bunny!" He happily welcomes new people by standing up on his back legs to say hello and is perfectly comfortable meeting strangers.

Patrick is friendly, affectionate, and not shy about demanding attention. He enjoys cuddling on the bed, watching TV with his people, and showing off his playful side with bursts of zoomies. He is curious about everything, easygoing, and always ready to investigate what you are doing. One of his favorite games is tossing plastic keys into the air just for fun.

He is not scared of dogs and should do well with kids, making him a great fit for a lively household. Patrick also loves to eat and will happily bond with you over snacks and quality time. Like many curious bunnies, he can be a bit mischievous and may try to chew cords or gnaw on clothing, and he is not the tidiest with his litter box, but his friendliness more than makes up for it.

Patrick Star is the kind of bunny who makes you feel welcomed every single day. If you are looking for an affectionate, playful companion who wants to be wherever you are, Patrick is ready to steal your heart.

Patrick Star is neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated against RHDV2 (vaccine needs to be administered annually). House Rabbit Society recommends all rabbits see a rabbit-savvy veterinarian once a year.

Submit an adoption application for Patrick Star at houserabbit.org. House Rabbit Society is located in Richmond, California, just north of San Francisco. Questions? Email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to talk more with you!

It's officially the first day of summer! The warm months can be a stressful time for both rabbits and the people who care for them. Since they aren't able to sweat, rabbits don't tolerate heat very well and can even die from being overheated.

It's important to know the signs of heatstroke and to act quickly if your rabbit is lethargic, not interested in moving or eating, is breathing very fast and shallowly, and/or is tossing their head back while breathing rapidly from an open mouth. Move your rabbit to a cool, shaded area and wrap their ears with a cold washcloth—rabbits regulate heat through their ears. Do not submerge them in cold water as it could cause them to go into shock. Then, contact an experienced rabbit veterinarian for more advice on how best to proceed.

Even if you don't have air conditioning, there are steps you can take to keep your rabbit comfortable during the hot summer months. Visit houserabbit.org/warm-weather to learn more to ensure you and your rabbit have a safe and pleasant summer together.

We love hearing about our adopted rabbits in their homes! Pearl (white, formerly Hermit Crab) is absolutely thriving with her family and her bonded friend Angel.

Her adopter shares, "When we first fostered Pearl, she was very timid and shy. But then as time went by, she was starting to get comfortable in our household. Pearl suddenly gained our trust and grew more confidence so as soon as we noticed we knew she had chosen us to be her forever home and family! She now is free roam and loves to play with unlimited toys with her companion Angel. Pearl is loved by everyone in our household and will continue to be loved by us for a loooong time. Pearl's whole year was filled with unlimited hugs, kisses, and binkies!!! Thank you for letting us adopt her and be her parents."

Are you looking for a friend for your rabbit? Let us help! This month and next, we're tripling the amount of speed dating appointments available at our facility. Typically these are only offered on Sundays, but in June and July, a limited amount will be on Tuesdays and Fridays. Everybunny deserves a little love! Learn more about our adoption process and sign up for an appointment at houserabbit.org/bonding-adoption.

Bonding is a lot of work, but it's so rewarding helping your rabbit find their fluffy best friend. Rabbits are very social animals and most enjoy having another rabbit as a friend, someone they can snuggle and play with. We would love to help you find the perfect match for your rabbit! Whether your rabbit is looking for an eligible bachelor or bachelorette, we have so many sweet rabbits who would love to meet them! 💘

Is it time for your rabbit's annual RHDV2 vaccine? If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, get your rabbit vaccinated at House Rabbit Society!

We're continuing to offer our monthly low-cost RHDV2 vaccination clinics at our facility in Richmond, California. Make an appointment to bring your rabbit to HRS to get them vaccinated now at houserabbit.org/medical. (Note: Please fill out the waiver as well as schedule your appointment.) Up-to-date vaccination is required to participate in HRS services such as grooming, boarding, and speed dating, without exception.

We use Medgene Lab's RHDV2 vaccine. This is a 2-shot vaccine series consisting of the initial vaccination and a booster vaccination 21 days later. BOTH shots are required for vaccine efficacy. Full efficacy for this vaccine is 14 days after the second shot. For rabbits who previously received the Medgene vaccine, and whose coverage hasn't lapsed, they only need a single booster shot.

Even indoor-only rabbits are at risk of RHDV2, since the virus can be transferred to them by people (on their shoes and clothes), other animals (including dogs and cats, especially if they go outside), and even insects. The most important thing you can do to protect your rabbit is to get them vaccinated.

He will swerve left. He will swerve right. He will swerve right into your heart. Meet Dodgeball, our sporty and outgoing boy who came to HRS from the Napa County Shelter. Dodgeball loves all physical activity, whether it is throwing a ball into his water dish or running zoomies around your feet, this little athlete loves to be active and engaged. He has ben described as . Check out what Dodgeball's foster has to say about him:

"Dodgeball is well-named! He can’t be contained and zooms around the house, bouncing off of walls. He’s very inquisitive and will get into very surprising places that you thought were bunny- proof. However, he doesn’t chew on things, so no damage to furniture or cords. He’ll drag toys around the house, and come up to you for pets - he permitted us to pet his body, but not his face or ears. He also was fine with
the kids occasionally chasing him around or pretending that he was chasing them.

Dodgeball loved hardwood floors and would stretch out languorously in a spot under a table or in a little corner. He’s an escape artist - he climbed up the corner of his cage. Clipping a blanket to the top of the cage worked well. He also could be lured back in with treats. He’s active in the morning and evening with zooms, binkies, and demanding attention and food. He likes napping in the mid-day."

Dodgeball is neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated against RHDV2 (vaccine needs to be administered annually). House Rabbit Society recommends all rabbits see a rabbit-savvy veterinarian once a year.

Submit an adoption application for Dodgeball at houserabbit.org. House Rabbit Society is located in Richmond, California, just north of San Francisco. Questions? Email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to talk more with you!

(Illustration by HRS volunteer Danna C.; on Instagram at instagram.com/dannacai_/)

Today is National Eat Your Vegetables Day! The most critical part of a rabbit's diet is hay, but fresh, rabbit-safe greens are also important. Besides providing your rabbit with additional nutrients, they also provide your rabbit with different textures and tastes, which are enriching to them as well. Greens also provide more moisture in the diet, which is good for kidney and bladder function.

The bulk of fresh greens should be made up of leafy greens—about 75% of the fresh part of a rabbit's diet.

If you've been feeding your rabbit the same greens and are looking for some new veggies to try giving them, a few veggies that are typically very popular with rabbits include: Cilantro, parsley, red or green lettuce, kale, dandelion greens, mint, and basil. You can also try giving edible flowers like roses, nasturtiums, pansies, and hibiscuses.

When introducing any new food to a rabbit's diet, it's best to go slowly to allow their GI tract and all its important microorganisms to adjust. Start by introducing one new green every three days and watch the rabbit's stools closely. It's rare for a rabbit who has been on a hay diet first to have any problems using this method, but if you note softer stools that persist over a couple of days, then you might want to remove that food from your bunny’s diet. Keep a list as you go of the greens that your rabbit has successfully eaten; you will then have a handy shopping list when you go to the store!