Every Bunny Needs Somebunny (Sometimes)

Love (or at least friendship) was in the air at Red Door on a recent Wednesday evening, with a possible record of 4 sets of simultaneous sessions of "Bunny Speed Dating"!

Rabbits are social animals, and are often happiest with a companion.  While many can successfully bond with their people or other pets, in most cases they do best with a companion of their own kind.

However, anyone who has lived with rabbits knows that nobody can sulk like an annoyed rabbit, so it is usually suggested that rabbits be allowed to help pick out their own companions.  Each rabbit is an individual, but usually the easiest bondings are spayed female with neutered male.  Male/male bondings can work, and the most difficult is female/female.

Many people come to Red Door looking for a companion for their own rabbit.  First they meet with an experienced volunteer to talk about their rabbit's personality and habits - this is important in helping us match them with a likely friend.  Then it's time for Date Night!

Marilyn

Marilyn recently came to Red Door after 10 years as a school bunny.  This dignified seniorbun had a chance to meet Valentino, and they seemed "pretty chill".  We're all hoping that this works out, as she deserves a quiet retirement with a good friend after all she has been through.

Swatch

 

Rolex

   Swatch and Rolex are two of Blossom's babies born at Red Door last year.  They were adopted together but recently have decided that they hate each other.  After a brief break, we tried to introduce them again, but they seem seriously set against each other now.  Swatch had a brief meeting with Winslet (see below) last week, and Rolex was introduced to several girls this week, but everyone seems too stressed out right now for any real bonding. We'll give everyone a nice long break and try again later.

Capri and Frances

Visiting Ex Frances was there to meet Capri, who is one of this year's Easter class.  There was "a lot of circling" but not in a threatening way, and shared some lettuce.  They are going to have their second date this coming Wednesday.




Red Door alumn Winslet was on her third date with Irving.  All continued to go well, with only a few tiny scuffles that were quickly defused.  He has now gone home to foster with her in hopes that everything works out on her home turf.

Irving and Winslet at home

  If you are interested in getting a companion for your rabbit, there is lots of great information online that can be helpful.  In particular, BinkyBunny has quite a few "bonding journals" on their forums, which can give you a realistic idea of the process.  Or just call or e-mail us - we'd be happy to play matchmaker for you!

Fozzy - One Year Later

Many of us at Red Door will never forget Fozzy, the first abandoned Easter Bunny of 2011. Fozzy was left out by the dumpster in the cold rain on Easter Monday. Luckily, he was spotted by a caring neighbor, who immediately called a friend for help. That friend indeed was Erin, who is a Red Door volunteer.

"When I got there, the poor thing was shivering from being out in the cold rain for hours. I immediately wrapped him in my coat and put his cage in the car. I turned the heater on high and sat him in my lap for the ride home. By the time we got home, he was warmed up, but obviously still shaken up by the events of the day. I wrapped him in a blanket and turned on the wedding music CD I had been listening to earlier. As it turns out, he loves classical music and immediately perked up and began to relax."

Fozzy's story touched many hearts, and was even featured on the blog of the Make Mine Chocolate campaign.

One of the hearts that Fozzy touched most was Erin's, and she ended up adopting him. "We couldn't help but love this unusually furry rabbit who was loving and friendly to everyone, despite his ordeal ... After a few days, and seeing how sweet he was, there was no way I could let him go, so he became a part of our family."

Fozzy not only has a great home now - he even has a girlfriend!  They met while "bunny-dating" at Red Door.  "Tulle was very sweet to him when they first met, and he was obviously very nervous.  He kept stamping his feet and running away."


They are like a typical married couple.  He is a total slob, and she tries to express her disgust by grunting at him.  When it appears that he isn't listening to her, she gives him a little nip on the rear end and he minds his P's and Q's for about 15 minutes."

Yes, Dear...  Whatever you say, Dear...

Fozzy's story has a happy ending, but for thousands of other "Easter Bunnies" the future may not be as rosy.  You can help that happen by sharing Fozzy's story, by supporting pet stores taking part in our Respect The Rabbit campaign, and by your continued support for Red Door.  Thank you.

Relaxing at Home

In a rare moment of repose, we show you Dora the Explorer--now re-named Adelaide--relaxing in her new home. She earned her shelter name easily, by wanting to see everything she possibly could. A weekend in a foster home confirmed she had been aptly named--she took off up a steep staircase without a moment's pause.

But Adelaide is a great name, too. We're fans of Guys and Dolls, too. And this bunny is a doll. Her new mom writes, "She has no fear. If Lucy the cat hisses, she just charges her....Whenever I come home, she runs around the apartment, jumping around in the air doing a binky."

In this photo, Adelaide seems to know that a hearth is the heart of the home, especially when occupied with a beautiful bunny.

Hooray for Savannah!!

After a year at Red Door, a failed relationship and a few foster homes, Savannah the dwarf is finally bonded and adopted! She met her new husbun, aptly named Bun, last Sunday. Thursday morning I received this message:

"I am very pleased to report that Savannah and Bun are officially
bonded! Things changed this afternoon when they cuddled and
groomed each other! Bun even let Savannah have her way with him.
Her Humpalump (Savvy's stuffed guinea pig toy) seemed to bring
them together. It started with Bun grooming Humpalump, and then
Savannah. Thank you for everything! Both bunnies seem
very happy."

Thank you to all the volunteers who help turn Savvy from a sassy dwarf (is that redundant?) into a sweet princess.

Rabbit Rescue -- Adopt from Chicagoland's Top Bunny Rescue

"Hey! When are you going to come visit us?" That's what the Red Door rabbits are saying. They're ready to hop right into your heart.

Come meet all the wonderful rabbits--and maybe find the bunny friend of your dreams--at our no-kill. We have the best selection of spayed/neutered rabbits in the Chicagoland area--and all are guaranteed to be vet-checked, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and litterbox-trained.

When you adopt from Red Door, you get copies of all the records from our experienced exotics veterinarian.

And remember, Red Door specializes in Bunny Bonding! Your rabbit can go through a series of Rabbit Speed Dating under the guidance of our experienced rabbit bonding experts.

Bunny Bonding: Red Door Rabbit Update

Chip--the handsome fawn-colored lop, is a Red Door alum. He has a great mom--and for awhile, he was bonded with Lenny, an older Dutch who had been abandoned. When Lenny passed on, Chip settled back into his single bunny ways--as illustrated by the photo showing him passing time on a nearby bookshelf.

But then along came Bradley, a brown and white mini lop. Bradley's family couldn't take care of him any more, so he came to Red Door. He's very sweet--unlike most rabbits, Bradley loves to be held--but he has some major teeth issues. Right now, Bradley needs all his salad lettuce and parsley torn into small pieces. He also inhales bowls of Critical Care, the wonderful chopped-up hay product made by Oxbow Pet Products.

Chip's mom just couldn't leave Bradley at the shelter, so she took him to foster. And Bradley made a new friend. Chip likes him so much, he's willing to share his salad with him!