Bunny Money!

 

You know, to be honest, although I'm an Education Bunny, there's one subject I really know nothing about. And that subject is Money! 

My secretary and chauffeur take care of all that, and they often get asked how much a bunny actually costs. People considering getting one of us for a pet want to know how much they can expect to spend on a rabbit's care. This is so fiscally responsible - good job, potential rabbit people!!

So I've decided to do some research this week and write a blog post on how much a bunny will cost. I've asked all my human friends how much they spend on their bunnies, and I've been looking up the cost of commonly needed bunny items. It was a lot of work, but now I'm ready to present to you - your Bunny Budget!!

Please note, some of these costs will vary - your veterinary costs, food costs if your bunny is big (or just a big eater!). And there are incidental costs that I didn't figure in. For example, we have to change our air filters more often during shedding seasons, and I need special fleece blankets because I have trouble with sores on my feet (it's a Rex thing!). But this will give you a good idea of the basics.

First we'll start with the One Time Expenses - the things you need when you first get your bunny:

For Housing:  

                1. Pen: $55. (We like this one here.)

                2. Extension for pen: $22 (These are wonderful!)

                3. Carrier: $20 - $45 (This is my favorite!)

                4. Litter Box: $10 - $30 (How about this one? Roomy!)

                5. Water/Food Dishes/Wobbly Ball: $25 (A wobbly ball is a toy that makes eating pellets fun! You can find one here and here! The first one is my favorite!)

So far those costs add up to around $110 to $177. You may decide not to get a pen extender, or you may get a cheaper carrier or litter box. 

Now let's talk about one time Veterinary Expenses:

                    1. First Time Check Up: $60

                 2. Bloodwork: $75 (yes, you need to get baseline bloodwork unless you are adopting from a rescue that has already done this!)

                3. Microchip: $45

                4. Spay/Neuter: $200 - $250 (Please do not skimp on your bunny's spay/neuter with a non-rabbit vet! Please go to a rabbit-savvy vet!!)

So these costs are about $380 to $430. So with the housing costs that's about $490 to $607 total.

Next there are the Annual Expenses, but these are pretty easy:

                1. Annual Vet Check Up: $60

                 2. Annual Blood Work (if needed): $75

                3. Bunny Sitter (for when you go on vacation, unless a friend wants to love on your bunny for free!)

Please note that younger bunnies might not need blood work, but older bunnies might need more frequent check ups. Also please note that bunnies don't need rabies vaccines, but if you live in an area which has RHDV2, your bunny will definitely need to be vaccinated for that. Vaccine costs vary widely, so please check with your own rabbit savvy vet!

And finally - the real nitty gritty! What are the monthly costs of a bunny?

Most of our bunny friends agreed that they spend around $75 to $100 a month on their bunnies. We broke it down as best we could, but please bear in mind that some of these food costs depend on how big your bunny is and how much she eats. I'm not going to name any names, but we have two French Lops in sanctuary here who eat literally twice as much each as I do. Just sayin'.

So here are the Monthly Expenses:

            1. Fresh Veggies: $25 - $35

            2. Hay: $15 - $30

            3. Pellets: $8 - $12

            4. Litter: $5 - $12

            5. Vet Fund: $20 - $50

            6. Toys and Treats: Varies. 

Some of these monthly costs can vary, of course, and when I talk about food and litter in future blog posts I can give you some ideas on how to save money. Please don't get cheap food though - honestly, you'll make up for it in future vet costs as a consequence of bad nutrition!

And one expense on this list might make you wonder - why a vet fund? Honestly, this is your most important monthly expense!

It's safe to say that all bunnies will, at some point, have an unexpected vet expense. GI stasis happens! And so do injuries and illnesses....I could go on and on! Sure you can pay for it with a credit card if you have one, but why not just start saving for the inevitable right now? You'll have some peace of mind - trust me! 

Even saving $20 a month will come to $240 in a year. If you can put aside $50 a month - even better! That will be $600 a year, which will be a great start to a vet fund! If your bunny hasn't had vet issues you can always use some of it for her annual check up. I really recommend this!

I think that's it. Did I forget anything? You can let me know in the comments!

Byeeeeeee!

Love, Mrs. Kitty Brighton, Education Bunny

It's Earth Day!

 

It's Earth Day, and I'm so excited! When it comes to ecology and being good to the earth, rabbits really shine!

What makes us such ecological pets? So many things! First of all, we're vegan! That means that we eat only plants. Studies have shown that a vegan diet can have a lighter impact on the planet. You can read an article about that here.

Not only that, but if you are a gardener, our poop is gold!! Rabbit poop (or "manure" as gardeners say) is full of nutrients, but it isn't as strong as other manures and it breaks down quickly, so there's little risk of burning your plant's roots. You can even use it in houseplants!

See - here's my secretary's garden! It's full of bunny poop, and just gorgeous!

And finally, so many bunny toys can be made out of discarded household items. Your bunny will help you recycle! In fact, to celebrate Earth Day, let's make fun bunny toys out of a paper towel tube.

For this toy you'll need a tube from a  roll of paper towels, a small piece of paper and some treats like craisins.

To start, wrap the treats up in your small piece of paper. My secretary used a couple of craisins and some Small Pet Select Belinda's Blend forage mix (I can't resist it!). 

 

Next, cut the paper towel tube into small circles, about 1/2 inch wide.You'll need about 5 of these circles for each toy.

Next, put one circle inside the other, and make them kind of kitty corner to each other. Put the paper with the treats in it in the middle. Like this:

Then keep layering the circles until the paper is covered with cardboard circles. About five circles will completely cover the paper, without being too frustrating for you bunny to get to the treats.

When it's done, give it to your bunny!! Record a video of her playing with it so all your friends can enjoy watching her have fun!

Want to know more ways that bunnies are eco-friendly pets? Check out this article from My House Rabbit!!

HAPPY EARTH DAY EVERY BUNNY!!!

Love, Mrs. Kitty Brighton, Education Bunny!

The Future Looks Bright!

Why hello every one! I bet you didn't know that I'm able to see the future. I'm a bun of many talents! Let me look into my crystal ball for you. It will be fun!

Hmmm, there seems to be a rabbit in your life...maybe two! I can't tell from what I'm seeing if you have a new bunny, or if you've had your bunny for years, but either way I'm sure my forecast will be appropriate. Are you ready?

Gazing into my crystal....what's this I see? You're looking in your wallet....and it's empty! My, my, bunnies can be expensive, can't they? But wait....now you've got some paper and....hmmmm....I think you're making a budget. You're planning for your bunny's expenses! That's just awesome! To help you out, I'll be doing a blog post next week about the actual costs of having a bunny. I predict I'll be mentioning a few things you may not have thought of!

Now, what's this? I see something wonderful! It's you, sitting quietly on the floor with your bunny! When she approaches you, you give her a sprig of parsley or a small treat. You're making friends! 

What's that you say? You're having trouble making friends with your bunny, and you think maybe she doesn't like you? Well, I predict that will change soon, because I'm planning to write some blog posts this month about this very subject! I'll give you tips on how to build trust between yourself and your bunny. 

I'm also going to introduce you to someone very special...oh, I see her in the crystal now! It's Tula, my lion head friend from Small Animal Resources and Empowered Animals! I'll be interviewing Tula in a few weeks about her special relationship with her people, and how you can have a special relationship with your bunny, too.

Now let me take some deep breaths and focus. There's something next to Tula...what is this? It's purple...it has a little button....oh, it's a clicker!!! Tula is going to help us understand how clicker training can be great for you and your bunny. 

That's right - clicker training isn't just for dogs, it can be a fun and useful activity for rabbits and their people, too! I see your bunny happily jumping into her carrier for a trip to her vet, coming to a target stick, going into her pen when asked...all kinds of things can be clicker trained. I predict when you read about it you'll be very excited to get started!

Our session has almost ended, but there's just one more thing...hmmm....it's very hazy. I see a New Zealand bunny...he's very serious...and he's telling you about why vet visits are important for bunnies. Oh, it's my friend, Señor Spaghetti! He's going to write some guest posts for me next month on why bunnies need vet check ups, and how to find a good rabbit-savvy vet. I can see in your future that when you read what he has to say you'll be making a vet appointment for your bunny, too!

The images are fading, and I think our session is over! I hope you enjoyed this look into the next couple of months. My fortune: lots of wonderful things for you and your bunny!

See you soon!

Love, Mrs. Kitty Brighton, Education Bunny and Fortune Teller

PS: Do you like my rabbit tarot cards?! I love them! They are The Rabbit Tarot, by Nakisha VanderHoeven. You can get your rabbit some at her shop on Etsy!

PLEASE READ! UPDATE ON RHDV2!!

Bunny folks, please read this post!!

As many of you are aware, the RHDV2 virus is now in America. RHDV2 is an extremely serious disease - it has been described as "the ebola of the rabbit world". It is nearly 100% fatal, and spreads rapidly throughout both wild and domestic rabbit populations. You can find out more about it here. There is another good fact sheet here. While for many years this was a disease we didn't have to worry about, we do now. It's here, and it's spreading.

I got a call from our veterinarian today. She's been speaking with rabbit experts at UT Knoxville, as well as doing research about RHDV2. She's asked us to make the Huntsville Friends of Rabbits community aware of some issues with this disease as it affects us in the Southeast right now. 

This week there has been a confirmed case in Arkansas of a domestic indoor rabbit with RHDV2. This rabbit was apparently from a breeder in South Carolina, was sold at a rabbit show in Georgia, and died after being brought into Arkansas. We cannot be sure where or how this rabbit contracted the disease. 

Unfortunately this is the case with many of the cases of RHDV2 in the US now. Dr. Moore told me that her contacts seem to feel that RHDV2 may be spreading at least in part through hay, but this disease has so many vectors that it's difficult to tell. 

As for a vaccine, at the current time we cannot get it in Alabama until there is actually a case here. It's a complicated story, but boils down to the fact that RHDV2 is not considered a domestic disease of rabbits and the vaccine has to be imported from Europe by permission. I talked with our Alabama State Veterinarian today and he promised me he will be speaking with the USDA to see if there's any way of speeding up access to the vaccine. There is apparently an American company working on a vaccine with the USDA, but we don't know how quickly it will be out.

What does this mean for you and your bunnies? The bottom line is that you need to take precautions now, even though there has not been an official case of RHDV2 in Alabama. It''s very possible that it's already here and just hasn't been reported, and it is definitely going to be here soon. It really is only a matter of time. These are some things that our veterinarian feels are necessary until we have a vaccine and this disease is under control:

1. Please do not let your bunny outside.  We all like to bring our rabbits out for a jaunt in the sunshine, but this is not a good idea now. Especially if you have wild rabbits in your yard, please don't bring your pet bunny out to play.

2. Check out where your hay is coming from. Especially if you buy your hay online, make sure it isn't from an area where RHDV2 has been prevalent. This map **can give you an idea of where the disease is. Remember, just because you buy hay from a reputable company it doesn't mean the hay isn't from an affected area and hasn't been exposed to wild bunnies with RHDV2. If you can buy local Alabama hay you *might* be better off (but again, we just don't know). Timothy is hard to find here, but Bermuda and orchard grass are available from our local farmers. Just across the state line in lower TN you can sometimes find Timothy. Your bunnies cannot go any length of time without hay, so this is a hard one. Please just use your best judgement.

3. Please consider taking off your shoes when you come into the house. The virus can be transmitted through dirt on your shoes. Here at the main foster house we always remove our shoes and put on slippers. In the past this has been to cut down transmission of coccidia, fleas and worms from the outside, but now it's for RHDV2 as well.

4. Wash your bunny's veggies thoroughly! Again, look at where the veggies you get in the store are from. California and Mexico produce many of our veggies, and they have had multiple cases of RHDV2. Our vet is doing some research on washing solutions for veggies that would kill this virus and I'll let you all know as soon as I hear from her. In the meantime, it can't hurt to wash, wash, wash!

5. Please consider not getting new bunnies, especially from across state lines! It really upsets me to say this as I know there are so many bunnies that need homes, but even a bunny that looks healthy can have RHDV2. 

6. If you have a "bunny garden", please be especially careful! This disease can be spread through wild bunny populations, and once it's in the soil it's very difficult to eradicate. Wild bunnies are all over, even in the cities. Please wait to harvest at least until we can figure out veggie washing solutions. You also might want to consider raised beds with rabbit proof fencing and new soil, having a special pair of gardening shoes, and washing up thoroughly as soon as you come inside. Quite honestly, we're really falling in love with our indoor Aerogardens these days! 

7. Please report any deceased wild bunnies to Alabama Fish and Wildlife, and ask them to investigate. DO NOT TOUCH THE ANIMAL! You could easily transmit this disease. This fact sheet from Missouri Dept. of Conservation gives a good overview of the issues around RHDV2 and wild bunnies.

Please stay informed about RHDV2, and we'll continue to post every relevant update. We all need to work together to keep our bunnies safe!!

Love, 

Ruth (aka: Mrs. Brighton's secretary!)

**This map was created and is being kept up to date by a close friend of ours. It is based solely on verified reports from State Veterinarians. Please be aware that each pin may represent more than one bunny and in some cases there are dozens.

Thinking of Getting A Bunny?

 

Just checking my secretary's spelling!

So you're considering getting somebunny like me? What should you consider when you’re getting a rabbit as a pet...or maybe you shouldn't consider getting one at all?! Or...maybe you should get two! What do you think? Let's find out!

We'll make this like a quiz. I'll ask a bunch of questions, and you can think really hard about your answers! We'll make this an open book kind of quiz. I'll give you my thoughts and links to good websites so you can get even more information to decide what your answers will be.

Ready? Ok, first question!

1. Are you getting a bunny for a child? Oh dear, I hate to start out on a negative note, but...People think rabbits are cuddly, but we are prey animals and we don't like to be held at all. Children are prone to making high-pitched squealy kinds of noises  which mimic the rabbit's distress call. This can set us on edge. We're fragile, too! It's easy to break a rabbit's back just by picking us up the wrong way.

And while kids might like a bunny for a little while, soon the thrill will wear off. Did you know 90% of rabbits turned into shelters were originally pets for children? I'm going to do a whole post later about rabbits and kids, but for now you might really want to read this article before you get a bunny for your child. 

Did I mention I know at least three documented cases of a bunny biting a child's finger off? Check this one out here! Oh, here's another one!

My friend Penny got cranky and her foster mom got bitten! Oops!

 Wow, I spent a lot of time on that question didn't I? Bunnies and children can be a good thing, but there's so much you need to consider. Let's move on!

2. Can you afford a bunny? Cuteness like mine doesn't come cheap! It isn't just the tiaras, we need three different types of food every day, bedding, vet care...I could go on and on. And I will in a few days because I'm doing a whole post on how much rabbits actually cost. Spoiler alert: you could probably buy a Gucci bag for what you'll spend on your bunny! But your Gucci bag won't do binkies so honestly what are your priorities?

3. Do you have allergies? Are you allergic to hay? Sometimes people with allergies can work around this by switching hay types. For example, my secretary is allergic to Bermuda so we leave that off the menu. My friends at Small Pet Select have a great article here!

4. Are you a neat freak? Uh oh. While we are generally very clean animals, hay tends to get all over the place, stray poops happen, and it's impossible to tear up a cardboard box without the collateral damage of shredded cardboard all over the carpet. We might not be the best pets for those who like things super tidy!

5. Can you find a special "exotics" vet? Is there one near you? Veterinarians who are "rabbit-savvy" are essential.  We're so different from cats and dogs. Veterinary medicine and procedures that are routine for other animals could kill your bunny!  You can find lists of rabbit-savvy vets here. And here's some things to consider when you're looking for a vet. 

Let's take a break shall we, and gaze at this photo of me taken a few years ago at my vet's office with the wonderful Ms. Ellen!

Ok! Back to work! 

6. Do you have the space for a bunny? Will they be inside? I cannot emphasize this enough - we cannot be kept in those ridiculous tiny rabbit cages you see at pet stores. How are we supposed to do binkies in such a tiny space? 

We need room to roam both for our mental health and physical health, too.  And we need to be indoors! Here's why! 

Think about the exercise pens they have for dogs, or how about a multi-story condo? Or - gasp! - we could be free range!! Wabbitwiki has risen to the occasion with a very thoughtful article about housing here!

7. Can you get two spayed/neutered bunnies? **  We are such social animals and having us in pairs is a fantastic idea! Since bunnies who have been kept as singles will need to go through a bonding process to accept each other, it's probably better to adopt a pair right from the beginning. I bet your local rabbit rescue has several pairs of already bonded foster bunnies to choose from! 

If you don't feel you can adopt two bunnies, please think carefully about whether you will have enough time to spend with your new friend. Single bunnies bond strongly with their people. Please don't let us get lonely by not spending enough time with us! Some more things to consider are here.

8. Are you one of those people who gets really excited about something for about four days or six weeks or a few months or maybe a year and then you're on to something else?  Your bunny is a ten year commitment! Or maybe 11 or 12. We live a long time! 

9. Are you willing to bunny proof? We can get into all kinds of trouble, and if you haven't done your bunny proofing then the destruction of your stuff is actually your fault, not ours. Not to mention we can get hurt! I like what this article says about rabbit proofing. I'm also fascinated by bunnyproofing.com - a whole website on rabbit proofing! So impressive!

10. Hmm. I can't think of anything else, but I know you probably can! Please feel free to add more questions to this little quiz in the comments! And if you already have bunnies, what do you wish you had known before you got them? 

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Byeeeeee for now!

Your roving lagomorph reporter,

Mrs. Kitty Brighton

**Please make sure to spay and neuter your bunny or bunnies! 

Why It's Illegal To Sell Baby Bunnies As Pets In Alabama

Wow! That's a long title isn't it?!  It was so long I started falling asleep reading it! See, here I am, taking a snooze!

Everyone should have leopard print sheets!

We've been asked why it's illegal to sell baby bunnies as pets in the State of Alabama, so I'm interrupting my nap time to tell you! In case you missed it here is the actual law:

Code of Alabama, Title 3; Section 3-1-15: It is unlawful to display, sell, offer for sale, barter or give away any baby rabbits, or baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl, but not including parrots, parakeets, and canaries, as pets or novelties, regardless of whether or not such rabbits or fowl are dyed, colored or otherwise artificially treated.

Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as prescribed by law.

(Acts 1959, No. 104, p. 590.)

I made the background color pink so it would stand out!

There are several reasons why this law was passed way back in 1959. It was partly because people used to dye the bunnies (and chicks) and obviously this was cruel. That usually doesn't happen anymore, but the other reasons for the law are still with us. 

Every year, starting as early as the day after Easter (or the day a carnival that gives away bunnies as prizes leaves town) the shelters get flooded with discarded rabbits. Did you know rabbits are the third most often surrendered pets at shelters across the country? Right behind cats and dogs!

Too many people buy them on a whim and then they realize how much care bunnies need...and then Little Brandon or Brittany gets tired of the bunny...but Mom and Dad still need to clean the litter box. Uh oh! In addition, they quickly find that those adorable baby bunnies grow up fast...and get hormonal....and they aren't cute anymore when they are spraying, biting and mounting your feet.

It's also hard to sex baby bunnies (because male baby bunnies' testicles don't descend until they're older) so every year we hear of situations where someone has gotten two "girls" and surprise! Soon after there is a litter of babies and a month after that, another one (because people don't realize rabbits can get pregnant the day they give birth!) If the bunnies can't be sold until they're older it's so much easier to tell the boys from the girls, so these mistakes don't happen.

Many of these poor bunnies wind up in the shelter or worse, get dumped in the wild.** This  is not only bad for the bunnies but causes problems for the shelters and people who rescue rabbits - problems that cost the taxpayers quite a bit of money.

Another issue is that often babies are sold too young to be away from their mother, especially at Easter. Some sellers want them to be as tiny and cute as possible so people are more tempted into an impulse buy. Not all sellers do this of course, but there are enough that it is a problem. We've had quite a few fosters come in who were bought at four to five weeks old. Many of them have had gut flora problems from being taken away from their moms too early. If a bunny's gut flora isn't well developed they can have ongoing intestinal issues and even die!

I hope this explains some of the reasons for this law. Remember, think carefully before you get a bunny! In my next few blog posts I'll be going over some things to think about before you get an adorable bundle of cuteness like me!

Byeeeeeee!

Love from your roving lagomorphic reporter,

Mrs. Kitty Brighton

**(If you have a chance check out the horrible problems Las Vagas is having with released domestic rabbits!)

I'm Taking Over!

Let me introduce myself! I'm Mrs. Kitty Brighton and I'm the Education Bunny for Huntsville Friends of Rabbits (HFR). We're a small group of rabbit lovers in the Huntsville, Alabama area. For about 15 years we've been helping bunnies by rescuing unwanted rabbits and educating the public on rabbit behavior and care. We've worked very hard to make life better for bunnies around here!

Unfortunately, over the last couple of years the people running HFR - my secretary (Ruth) and chauffeur (Dr. Bruce) - have had to retire from active rescue work because of health issues.  They felt very sad about this. So I asked them: why not switch our focus completely to education? Why, I could do this work myself! 

There are lots of cute bunnies on the Internet (hello Mr. Bigglesworth!) but they don't really talk about bunny care. And there are all kinds of sites where you can get information about rabbits (good, bad, and very, very bad!) but none are actually written by rabbits themselves. My dream is to give you both - a cute bunny (ME!) and good info about rabbit care. After all, I am the official HFR Education Bunny!! Who better to educate you about bunnies than me?!  

Ruth agreed to help me by taking dictation and we're ready to tackle the new Huntsville Friends of Rabbits blog! You can expect blurry photos (I have trouble sitting still), great tips on rabbit care, the answers to your behavior questions, interviews with some of the wisest bunnies on the internet, and a very enthusiastic guide to all things lagomorphic.  I'll be rabbiting on about all sorts of things! Some of my posts will be just for your bunny. Let's talk rabbit to rabbit about what bugs you most about your human!

So let me tell you about myself. I'm a gorgeous Mini Rex rabbit with fabulous black and white markings (did someone say cow bunneh?) I look wonderful in tutus and I wear my tiara a bit askew! 

I was found wandering loose in a trailer park after my former owner's trailer was repossessed and she moved without taking me. She just dumped me there! Can you believe it? **

Fortunately for me, some ladies from the local cat rescue came to the trailer park to help with stray kitties. They were friends with my secretary, and they knew that no bunny should be wandering around outside. They took me home and kept me for a few days until HFR could fit me into foster care. In their honor, I named myself Kitty. Without them I don't know what would have happened to me!

My first weeks in foster care were a blur of delicious food, a warm place to sleep, my very own pink litter box, and perfecting my gracious ability to greet every visitor that arrived. I also had several vet visits, including a mysterious one where I was given some gas to breath, after which I fell asleep and awoke with an incision on my stomach. Yes, dear Readers, I had been spayed!***

All was going well, until my staff started to realize that my spay had not calmed me down the way they had thought it would. In fact, I was the biggest bundle of energy they had ever encountered in a rabbit. Something was obviously wrong. I went back to my vet for further testing, and it was discovered that I had a problem with my thyroid. No wonder I was so hyper!

From that point on it was apparent that I would be hard to adopt. Who would want a hyperthyroid bunny? Well, don't you worry, because I came up with the perfect suggestion! Why couldn't I just stay at the foster home as a permanent resident, and occupy myself as the official HFR Education Bunny? With my super-outgoing personality, my fearlessness, my limitless energy, not to mention my velvety Rex fur and gorgeous face, I would be the perfect rabbit for the job!

So here I am! I've loved being an Education Bunny. Over the years I've visited schools, the library, the Botanical Gardens, and our local radio stations - all kinds of people who want to learn about rabbits. I'm even good with groups of children! Now that I'm getting older (I'm eight years old) I don't enjoy these visits as much as I used to, and I'd prefer to carry on with my job by dictation.  I've started writing posts for our Facebook page, and now, here I am, writing this blog! 

In my spare time, I like to check out new toys (I hope to do toy reviews!), rearrange my living space, try on new outfits (I plan to do an entire post on my tutus), and think about new things that I need to teach people about bunnies. Oh, and eating! I love to eat!

Well, that's enough about me for now! Do you have something you would like to know about rabbits? A question you'd like to ask? Just leave me a note in the comments! Until then, byeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Your roving correspondent and lagomorphic reporter,
Mrs. Kitty Brighton

**This is honestly a true story!!

***We'll talk about why you should spay/neuter your bunny very, very soon!!