House Rabbit Connection

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - Why not consider adopting a rabbit? Marlene Wilhelm, President of Rabbit Connection and Jesse a rabbit tell us all about the House Rabbit Connection.

The House Rabbit Connection has been in existence since 1997. We are a rescue and adoption agency strictly for indoor rabbits. These are indoor rabbits that are litter box trained and house broken and companion animals. They are not to be left outside or in a hutch. They're very social. We cover from western Massachusetts to central Connecticut, quite a wide area.

Unfortunately we can't take rabbits from the public. That's because of our bylaws. We can only take rabbits from control officers, veterinarians, sister rabbit organizations and other rescue resources.

Rabbit make wonderful pets. They're very social and they interact well with other animals in the house, such as guinea pigs, cats, not dogs with high prey drive, and they don't do well with children with a lot of activity. You do need to do your home work ahead of time and think you'll get a rabbit and then learn as you go.

Jesse is my rabbit. I adopted him to be a mate with another rabbit that I have, Izzy.

You can always ask family and friends to take the animal. I always encourage them at veterinarians they have a board in their waiting room and post something. Never put an animal for free on pet finder or things, unfortunately they'll go to places that you don't want your rabbit to go to. We do encourage people. We also have a guide from Rabbit Connection about home to go rabbits. We can help with assistance and place them in a good for home.

The website is www.hopline.org .

We're always looking for donations. We're also in need of foster homes. If anyone ever wanted to foster a rabbit while we wait for a forever home for them, we supply everything they need including the rabbit and the cage and a home, and all we ask is a loving home. If anyone is interested in fostering a rabbit, give us a call.

We never encourage any kind of rabbit as a gift. Unfortunately right after Easter our shelters are full of discarded rabbits that children have lost interest in. They do make great pets but there is a lot of responsibility. They can live 8 to 12 years, so longer than people expect, and you have to rabbit proof your home. By nature they like to chew things like electric cords and furniture, but if you give them the right things like untreated baskets that fulfills the chewing instinct.

Jesse hops loose in the house, at night he goes into a crate because if left unattended they can get into mischief. They get out and explore and play, and they sleep in the afternoon.