Snickerdoodles' Rabbit Rescue & Pet Loss Support

04/11/2024

Can cats and rabbits co-exist? The short answer is: Yes, they can!

We have been asked this question a lot recently. Keep in mind, cats are predators and rabbits are prey, so there are some points to consider, to ensure they are introduced properly.

As for any relationship, do not force any interactions to happen.

Supervision is KEY, as well as providing reassurance to each animal to make sure they are feeling safe and secure.

Some cats are just chill and don't seem to mind the presence of a rabbit much. They couldn't care less. They might sniff the bunny or their enclosure, then walk away.

Some cats are energetic and playful, and may want to chase, pounce, bite or claw. They are curious, and may want to see what this new critter is all about.

OR the other way around! The bunny may not want the cat around, get stressed, or want to chase the cat. Rabbits can also be confrontational in social situations. It really just depends.

Again, supervision is key in the beginning, and having a plan to separate safely in case of any unwanted behaviors.

You may also consider doing a slow introduction with bunny inside of their x-pen, and cat can walk around the pen to familiarize with new sounds, smells and movements. Bunny in pen can also have a hidey house to retreat to and space to move.

You don't want to introduce too many changes at once.

Get to know your bunny and cat, how they do individually & in social situations. Listen to their levels of stress, and when they're ready for changes at their own pace.

It is possible for positive friendships to develop!

What are some fun stories you have with your rabbit and cat?

Pictured is adoptable Goose and kitty house mate. Goose's foster says that they do really well together, and the kitty groomed her today, wanted to cuddle Goose on the couch and almost layed down on top of her!

Goose is spayed and litter box trained. She likes to keep her space tidey, and wants to be close to you. If you followed her story, you know that prior to coming to Snickerdoodles', she was dumped outside by herself, just days from giving birth to her babies. She has such a sweet soul, and deserves to be treated as a princess.

If you'd like to adopt Goose, click this link:

https://snickerdoodlesrescue.org/adoption-application

If you'd like to join our foster team, click this link:

https://snickerdoodlesrescue.org/foster-application

02/11/2024

Recently, we received an upsetting email from a caregiver about their bunny stating:

“She doesn't like or trust me. How do I get her to like me? She just runs away. She's not happy here.”

We often talk about the bonding process between two bunny companions, and our rescue also offers bunny dating services and education on appropriate strategies for success and safety.

Here at Snickerdoodles' Rabbit Rescue, we also coordinate with individuals and families on experiences of their own, unique relationship with their bunny or other animal companion. We often refer to this as “the human-animal bond”.

Now, the human animal bond can be complex, and extend beyond what you may initially think.

We don't automatically assume that someone’s heart is set on surrendering their bunny. When we receive these messages, we often find that individual or family in distress, or experiencing compassion fatigue. At their wit’s end. In crisis.

Here is where our Snickerdoodles' team can help. Our team takes on a strengths based approach, meaning that we assist families with identifying and recognizing their own strengths, resources and natural support systems in order to progress and promote wellbeing. When we are distressed, it can be natural for our brains to disregard the positive.

With this approach, we've been able to support families in navigating resources and enhance their current skills in order to avoid surrender or abandonment, and improve overall wellbeing.

With this particular individual, we learned that she had gotten a bunch of different house bunny approved treats to gain her bunny's trust. Bunny is also free roam. We gave her praise for this.

We built upon that strength, and helped to make some tweaks to encourage more engagement and direct interaction with bunny (e.g breaking them up & hiding them in a fluffle mat, laying still on the floor, allowing bunny to come to her as he sees fit, the power of gentle petting, offering more toys/enrichment, stuffing hay into cups etc), and also integrating leafy green or herbs, instead of just treats.

We also learned that bunny was not neutered, so we talked about this together in depth, and reviewed the many benefits as this is CRUCIAL for bunny health and to reduce aggression/other behaviors.

We discussed observing other body language, taking notes of other surroundings of the living area, and the reality that time and patience is key.

Some bunnies also just like to do their own thing and can be more spicey, and that can be very normal. Getting another companion for your bunny also has benefits.

After some time and navigating different strategies, we received another message from them:

“We've decided to keep him. We love him too much , and we have a solid plan to adjust his environment, as well as our own needs to meet his. He had his first binky today!”. They also got him scheduled for surgery.

This. This is why we do what we do!

Granted, nothing in this life is perfect, and there will absolutely be situations in which it doesn't turn out like this. That's life, and that's realistic. We don't expect every single person to be able to have access to and have the capability to make adjustments or even have those other options available. We don't expect everyone to be willing to engage with us and follow through with recommendations.

But, if we have a chance of helping a family improve their bond with their bunny and providing knowledge of resources, and empowering them to utilize it, why not take that chance? Why not support them in maintaining their bond and helping to identify those barriers to fill a gap that can be filled?

How do you bond with your rabbit?

Pictured is the marvelous Adoptable Ritz. If you'd like to put in an application to adopt, email [email protected].

Ritz is both spayed and litter box trained, and LOVES to play. She appears to like cilantro, parsley, and other greens, but has a ton of fun grabbing them out of cups or cardboard slots. Will you be her forever family, and have the patience and commitment that every bunny deserves to learn her own unique love language? She is looking for that person to make memories and establish a very special bond with.

02/11/2024

Gotta love the Bunitude! I (KC) have a little guy and this is his *entire* MO - look adorable, but runs away the second you try to pet him 😆

What quirky personality traits do your buns have? '

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween from the Snickerdoodles' Rabbit Rescue crew & our spooky bunny friends!

Adoptable Keiko is feeling wickedly spirited today, and wants to give a reminder to be mindful of where candy, treats, and wrappers are placed, as sneaky buns like Keiko are quick, and you don't want them to be goblin up those sugary sweets!

Keiko is spayed and litter box trained. Like a lot of bunnies, she is naturally not fond of being held. She'd love to lay with you on the couch and watch a movie, or roll balls around with her on the ground.

She is a good listener and will actively observe you yap about your day, but the noise of excited and squealy trick or treaters may give her a fright.

If you'd like to adopt Keiko, send us an email at [email protected].

Wishing you all a fun and safe Halloween, Día de los Mu***os, Día de la Mascarada, Samhain, Deepavali/Diwali, or anything else you may celebrate this time of year individually, or with friends and family.

28/10/2024

Foster bun Truffle Pig sniffing out some goodies from Midwest BunFest. He is a couch bun, himself, but will get bored if he doesn't have some fun, stimulating items!

Enrichment Play Center from Oxbow Animal Health

Bunny Lounger Pillow from Crafty Mermaid Sara’s Bunny Boutique

See link in comments to our Petfinder profile for our current adoptable bunnies, and ways you can donate to help us get enrichment items for our other foster friends! Truffles is awaiting his neuter, then will be adoptable. 🐷 🐰

28/10/2024

That's a wrap on Midwest BunFest 2024!

Thank you to our super star volunteers, the accommodating & kind BunFest coordinators, our donors, those who were with us in spirit, our attendees that came to listen and/or share their story during our educational session, and to everyone that stopped by our table to chat and learn more about us.

We met some wonderful people today, some older friends, and the most dazzling rescue partners. We just love making connections with you all. Today felt so magical.

We'd love to see everyone's photos from today! Please share in comments if you can 🩷

25/10/2024

25/10/2024

Happy 1st Gotcha Day, Dottie 🎉

25/10/2024

3️⃣ Days until Midwest BunFest

Everyone here at Snickerdoodles' 🐇🌈 is super excited !!

💜 We've been busy preparing and making some goodies - they'll be available when you stop by and say hello on Sunday

💜Sneak Peek in pics
*edit: More Sneek Peeks in the comments*

22/10/2024

Share your current fave bunny meme !

21/10/2024

It has been a busy October. 🍂 Keep reading on about our newest friend, Truffle Pig ("Truffles"). 🐷🍄

Another bunny found in a park, likely dumped.

We see misinformative & dismissive comments every day, especially on social media “it'll be just fine, they eat the grass”, “cook it up and eat it!”, “it has fur, it'll survive the winter”, “just leave it alone , don't remove it from its natural habitat”.

There is nothing natural about this.

Stop abandoning animals. Be an advocate for domestic rabbits. Research from credible sources.

We are so grateful that there are other people in the community that recognize that a domestic rabbit cannot survive well outdoors. They are not wild rabbits. Thank you to the family that gave this bunny attention that they needed, knowing that the need was urgent, and for being a part of a positive change. They were able to successfully and safely scoop him up, and kept us notified. Awesome work !!! 💕🐾

He is now placed with a foster home here at Snickerdoodles'. He appears to be a pretty healthy bun, doing well with using his litter box already and munching and crunching on hay. He will be scheduled for neuter surgery before he is ready for adoption.

Truffle Pig loves to root around with his little snout, covering himself up with a blanket or pushing his things around. We think he wants to take up juggling as a hobby as he likes to throw his toys in the air. He is definitely feeling himself.

21/10/2024

7️⃣ Days until Midwest BunFest!!

🩷🩷 We are honored that our founder and board president, Lauren Keller, LSW, is presenting this year on "Trauma, Grief and Compassion Fatigue." 🩷🩷

In 2021, Lauren graduated with her Masters of Science in Social Work and has earned her Veterinary Social Work Certification. As a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), she has helped many individuals, families, and Pet Loss Support groups navigate their grief journey following the loss of a beloved pet 🌈. Her passion for animals and empathetic nature shine through in everything she does for Snickerdoodles'.

🌈 Join Lauren while she shares her knowledge & wisdom with attendees from 11:15 to 11:40 🌈

19/10/2024

9️⃣ Days until Midwest BunFest !!

Stop by and say hi 👋

18/10/2024

Another day, another misunderstood bunny. 😩

This week, we received a message about 2 bunnies found outside in Elyria area. The rescuer was able to safely capture them after securing in the garage. Luckily, this person has house buns of her own and knows the risks of a domestic rabbit being outdoors. Thank you so much for rescuing these babies.

The rescuer had received a message from someone in the community claiming that these buns are theirs, and was not able to provide proof of ownership. This person also stated that both of these bunnies are "free range" and that they run around the neighborhood. A neighborhood that is a busy area, full of predators, and it is getting colder. This person/"owner" has stopped responding all together.

So - welcome to Snickerdoodles'! The rescuer has graciously decided to foster through the rescue, so that we can get these bunnies spayed/neutered and to the vet, on their way to finding a house bunny knowledgeable home indoors. THANK YOU 💕 It's time these buns are provided the care they deserve and desperately need. They are ready to adjust to a life where they are not seen as chickens 🐔 🙃

14/10/2024

Sweet dreams everybunny

12/10/2024

‼️

If you see a scrumdiddlyumptious fluff on the floor, you may be tempted to pick them up.

But beware…these balls of fluff may be prey animals, but they have 28 teeth and many ways to express their displeasure.

Bunnies typically do NOT like being picked up. They prefer 4 feet on the floor.

It is important to get them used to being handled for vet appointments and nail trimmings, but we encourage most people to refrain from picking buns up for constant snuggle time.

You may like snuggle time, but they typically don’t.

On our adoption applications, we often see people requesting a bunny that just wants to be snuggled and carried around like a baby all the time. These don’t really exist. There are exceptions to every rule, but we never adopt bunnies out on the basis of being snuggly. They’re very similar to cats and most cats aren’t particularly cuddly either.

If you’re looking for a bunny that loves to be held and cuddled, we can introduce you to some fluff balls that are tolerant of it, but rarely will they seek it out. Most love to be pet and loooooove attention, but picking them up is where they draw the line.

So please respect their boundaries. And if you’re looking for a pet that loves to be held and babied, maybe a bunny isn’t right for you.

11/10/2024

Enrichment Enrichment Enrichment

Rabbits are clever and curious creatures who require activities that stimulate their mind and support their natural instincts.When they are bored, they tend to engage in more behaviors that we humans can get frustrated and angered by. This is why providing your house rabbit with enrichment, or as it should be called, 'Bunertainment', is so incredibly important.
Bunertaiment activities can range from simple and free, such as an empty toilet paper roll, to complex and costly, like a store bought forging puzzle.

Our rabbit family includes a digger. Thankfully he doesn't dig at carpet for entertainment 🤞, but he sure can dig in his litterbox and throw the contents *EVERYwhere*. That mess....it's not fun to clean-up. I could choose to get angry, possibly yell at him, tell him he's bad, and go cry in a corner when I see it. But all of those human behaviors would most likely be scary, confusing, upsetting to him. Well, maybe having a cry in the corner is ok - sometimes we just need that 😅

Realistically, and as a good pet owner, the question becomes - How can we support our companions natural instinct and provide an opportunity for Bunertainment while not going crazy over so-called "bad" behavior?

To support the natural and strong desire to dig, a simple dig box with items already around the house can be a great solution! It only takes 10-15 minutes to put together, is free if using items already around your home, and provides a lot of stimulation/bunertaiment. After I present a dig box to Mr. Bunnitude for approval, it's generally left it in the x-pen for a few days, and consumables, like forging herbs, are replenished. When we notice he's not using it as much, the dig box is removed for a few days. While it's removed we check the cardboard box to see if it needs replaced and check the contents, removing anything dirty. Often times we take out all of the large items, then take the box outside and turn it over and give a gentle shake to remove dust and cocoa puffs (💩).

Now, when a dig box is reintroduced, he gets excited and hops right in ! He's entertained and happy, and we're happy he hasn't thrown much litter or hay everywhere.

Want to try this bunertaiment activity? Here's how to make your rabbit it's very own dig box:

Materials: This list is just a suggestion. Be creative and have fun with it; you know what your bunny likes better than I do.
📦 Cardboard box
📦 Cardboard tubes (toilet paper, paper towels)
📦 Packing paper torn into varying sizes and some crumpled
📦 Chew sticks
📦 Foraging herbs
📦 Pellets
📦 CareFresh bedding

Method:
Take your cardboard box and throw everything in it. Maybe give it a stir. Present to your rabbit for approval. Don't be discouraged if at first your bunny ignores their dig box; they can be quite cautious when something new is placed in their space.

"A bored bunny is a bunstructive bunny"
- My bunny probably

👇👇 Share with us - Have you made your rabbit a dig box? If so, how did you do it? Bonus points for sharing a picture!