By Lisa Fresolone

Want to adopt a rabbit but can’t make itup to the shelter? Check out the bunniesat Petco!

Rabbit Rescue & Rehab, in conjunctionwith the New York Animal Care & ControlCenter, have recently put in place anadoption program at Petco’s East 86thStreet and Union Square locations.Tworabbits will be living at each location24/7. Volunteers will visit the rabbitsdaily to make sure they have food, water,clean litter boxes and plenty of out-of-cage exercise time.

The in-house rabbits are the next step forthe adoption program already in placeon weekends. Volunteers and adoptablebunnies are at Petco Saturdays andSundays. The volunteers screen potentialadopters and educate the public aboutrabbits as pets, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. atUnion Square, and from 1 p.m. to 4p.m. at 86th Street and Lexington. Theprogram is considered a success, as anaverage of three to four rabbits are adoptedfrom each location every month.

The Petco adoption program has“increased the public’s awareness ofrabbits as an option for adoption, and as being an animal that can go into aNew York City apartment,” says Cindy

Stutts, a licensed educator for the HouseRabbit Society and founding boardmember of New York Rabbit Rescue &Rehab. “A lot of people are clueless thatyou can have a house-trained rabbit inthe home.”

Marcie Frishberg is her right-hand personfor the Petco program, organizing andtraining new volunteers and seeing thatpotential adopters are properly counseled.

Marcie takes her time–often severalhours–making sure prospective adoptersare told everything there is to knowabout having a rabbit in the home. Shecovers nutrition, rabbits’ psychologicaland physical needs, rabbit-proofing the home, bunny-sitters and commonhealth problems to look out for. Sheeven demonstrates nail trimming,temperature-taking and grooming.

Petco announced that it would stopselling rabbits in all of its stores nation -wide in December 2008, as part of its“think adoption first” philosophy. Thecompany was already a major advocateof dog and cat adoptions, and over thepast year it has stepped up its efforts atpromoting rabbit adoptions, too.

There’s always a need for volunteers, andeven a novice can be a huge help. If youthink you might be interested, pleaseemail Cindy Stutts at bygolyoly@att.net.

“Without the volunteers taking theirtime to help facilitate adoptions andfostering,” Cindy says, “we wouldn’t beable to save all these rabbits. Manywould be euthanized.”

–Lisa Fresolone is a rabbit volunteer in Manhattan who is reachable atlisa.fresolone@gmail.com.

NYCMetroRabbitNews

SIZE DOESN’TMATTERPAGES 6-7

SHOP TILLYOUFLOPPAGE 5

GETTING OUTOF REHABPAGE 9

Newsletter of Rabbit Rescue & Rehab/New York City Chapter of House Rabbit Society • Fall 2009

NICE DIGS

First ShelterRabbitsTakeUpResidence atPetco

Cindy Stutts at Petco, Union Square

Photo: Jane O’W

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Meet Houdini, so named due to his extraordinary skill and determination asan escape artist! Houdini probably had a difficult life before coming to theshelter. Terrified and mad at the world, his philosophy was “bite first and askquestions later.” It took months of TLC in foster care before he agreed to mendhis ways. A ball of energy who loves attention but needs plenty of freedom,too, Houdini would love a home with an understanding caretaker who couldoverlook his checkered past and see him for the good boy he is today. Contact: Amy Odum at amy@adoptabunny.info.

Photo: Jane O’W

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www.RabbitCare.org • www.LongIslandRabbitRescue.org • www.Rabbit.org

By Natalie Reeves

Perplexed companion to four wackylagomorphs is seeking psychiatric advice.Candidates must resist all manner ofcharm exuded by the lop-eared fuzzyweirdos. Before applying for the job,consider the prospective patients:

Queenie is a long-haired white lop girlwho is suffering from an identity crisis...it’s either that or I adopted a strangekitty-cat with long ears and a cottontail.Queenie loves to jump on everything.She will perch precariously on the topedge of my chair and then take a flyingleap to my desk. I’ve seen her perchedon top of my sewing machine and ontop of my printer.

Her favorite game is throwing everythingoff my desk. As soon as I pick somethingup, it ends up on the floor. I tell Queeniethat she is a bunny who is supposed tolike running on the ground and playingin her hideys, but she prefers beingQueenie the flying kitty-cat bunny.

Perhaps because her sister thinks she is acat, Goldie, a golden-haired beauty, hasforsaken the peaceful nature of a bunny

and instead stalks and hunts defenselessanimals. While I was otherwise occupied,Goldie ripped the innards from mybeloved Annalee Christmas reindeer.When I returned to the room, I witnessedthe carnage of poor Rudolph torn tobits like confetti as Goldie beamed withpride over her conquest.

Compared to furry monsters Goldie andQueenie, my other bunnies, Mopsy andRobin, are perfect angels. Nevertheless, theycould benefit from couples’ counseling.Mopsy and Robin have been in love formore than a year, but there are somesigns that they are taking each other forgranted. For example, Mopsy was stretchedout recently, resting with her adorablefeet behind her. Robin approached,

seemingly to groom her. He appeared tobe ready to groom her feet, which I hadnever witnessed. Then he nudged her, soshe woke from her nap and got up. Ithought that Robin must want to play.Nope! Instead, as soon as Mopsy got up,Robin stretched himself out for a nap inthe place where Mopsy had just beensleeping. Shockingly, Mopsy let Robinget away with waking her up and thentaking her place.

Mopsy also allows Robin to steal foodright from her mouth. At salad time,Mopsy must find the tastiest sprigs ofparsley because instead of choosing oneof the other sprigs still on the plate, Robinoften chooses to munch on the piecethat is coming out of Mopsy’s mouth.Mopsy adores Robin so that she allowshim to do it. But, for this couple to last,some intervention may be needed.

Mopsy, Robin, Goldie and Queenie arewilling to submit to sessions with aprofessional, so long as he or she brings’nanas or other suitable snacks.

–Natalie Reeves is an AC&C rabbitvolunteer in Manhattan. Email her atNatalieLReeves@yahoo.com.

Desperately Seeking aBunnyShrink

Mopsy and Robin eating.

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BEHAVIOR

RIP: BEEZLE AND JESSICA MAIER

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Mary Ann Maier lost her rabbits Beezleand Jessie. It is noteworthy not only because both died on thesame day, but also because both were instrumental in creating therabbit rescue organization we are today.

Beezle was Mary Ann’s first rabbit, whom she rescued in 1998, thusbeginning her association with Rabbit Rescue & Rehab. Beezle’sstory has appeared in Newsday, and his picture can be seen in thecurrent edition of the House Rabbit Handbook, as well as with

Mary Ann’s bonding article appearing on page 7of this newsletter.Beezle also co-starred with Mary Cotter and Mary Ann in thefamous RRR Nail Cutting Video.

Jessie was rescued from a Long Island shelter in 2001 and quicklydemonstrated herself to be a bomb-proof ambassador of bunnyeducation. She accompanied Mary Ann to pet expos in Manhattanand Long Island, and “taught” rabbit care at North Shore AnimalLeague, the Center for Specialized Veterinary Care, LaGuardiaCommunity College, Long Island Board of Cooperative EducationalServices, and the Nassau County SPCA. She attended numerousRRR conferences as a “demo bun”–indeed, many rabbit owners inthe New York area learned to take rabbit temperatures on Jessie.

Jessie made educational TV appearances on Martha Stewart’s“Petkeeping with Marc Morrone” program and on News 12. In2003, she was a cover model, along with Tammy Faye Bakker, forPeta’s “Shopping Guide for Caring Consumers”(http://www.peta.org/mc/NewsItem.asp?id=1453), and was photographed with rapstar MCA of the Beastie Boys in 2004.

Rest in peace, Beezle, who taught Mary Ann so much in thoseearly days, and Jessie, who helped to teach everybody else. We’llsee you both on the Other Side.

Beezle’s picture appears in the House Rabbit Handbook. Jessie was photographed withTammy Faye Bakker.

Photo: Natalie Reeves

By Erin McElhinney

All bunny people experience the momentatwhich they realize: I am a bunnyperson. As a lifelong dog person, Ifought this label probably longer than Ishould have.The bunnies made me paydearly for this, and my turning pointcame at work in front of a large group of people. One very early morning, whenI was trying to finish up a big projectbefore my boss came in, my colleaguegave me the up and down and coollyasked, “So, which of your bunnies ateyour pants?” I looked down and sureenough, all up and down the side of onepant leg, one little dwarf rabbit, angry athaving to share her apartment with yetanother foster bun, had shredded my suitpants. I had just enough time to staplesome of the more egregious holes togetherand continue on with my project. Hand-delivering my report later on in the day,my boss told me he liked the way mystaples sparkled in the fluorescent lighting.I stammered something about my bunniesand got out of there as soon asI could! It was already too late, though:I was abunny person in the eyes of non-bunnypeople and there was no turning back.

There is something magical about bringinghome a new foster bun– the way thecardboard carrier containing a little lifeshakes and wiggles and occasionallyemits a thumping sound from the floorwhile I prep its new home. In betweencleaning and adding hay, I take the timeto explain to my three other rabbits, inmy most soothing voice possible, thatso-and-so has had a tough time findinga home and just needs a place to stayuntil things get a little better for him orher. I offer up some papaya tablets tosweeten the deal for them.

Once the foster cage has been preppedand extra toys, food and water bowls havebeen dug up from my chest of assortedrabbit things, next comes the best part–the opening of the cardboard carrier.The anticipation is more intense than

opening a present, and no matter howmany little scared faces I look in at, Inever know what to expect. Curiosityalways gets the best of even the mosttimid of rabbits, and after glancing at meand determining me to not be a threat,they will leap right out of their carrierand begin exploring my studio apartment.Sometimes I get Thumpapalooza withfive upturned cottontails and beady, angryeyes aimed at the “new guy,” but mostlymy buns are just endlessly fascinated–staring while pretending not to notice.

Living in a New York City studio apart -ment will challenge even the mostorganized people to keep their sanity.Add five buns to the mix and you willdevelop a sense of humor and strengthyou didn’t even know you had. When Ibrought home my first foster rabbit, Iwas scared to leave her alone. A millionwhat-ifs ran through my mind and Icouldn’t believe that she could survivewithout me watching over her. I spent thefirst weekend rarely leaving her side, andin doing so discovered the hardest partthat foster-bun parents grapple with: guilt.

People expect that space and my lack of itwould be the main issue with managingmy two foster rabbits, but the mainissue for me, and a lot of other fosterersI know, is the simple and unchangeablefact that there is only one of us andmore than one bun in the household.Time spent nurturing, socializing andplaying with my foster bun is time notspent with my own rabbits. But, muchlike a new mom, I drink a little morecoffee in the morning, a little more RedBull in the afternoon, and I stay up with“the kids” as late as I can.

Having foster rabbits also has taught methe bittersweet beauty of letting go. Weall have our foster buns whom we just loveas much as we’ve loved anything or evenanyone else.We do our due diligence onthe new owners and pack up their favoritetoys and kiss them goodbye and have totrust our hearts, no matter how sad we

may be. A lot of foster parents fill thatnewly empty cage with another needybun; it feels too much like the rabbit hasdied for me to go home and clean out the cage and not have a new little soul to take its place.

(Continued on page 4)

THE REWARDS OF FOSTERING

TheBittersweet Joys of Bringing Home,AndThenLettingGo,aRabbitWhoNeedsaHome

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From top, Bryce, Erin’s former foster, now adopted; BonnieSue, Erin’s current foster; Erin with Ginger Madeleine, whoinspired her to get involved with other buns.

Photos: Erin

McElhinney

By Katelyn Belyus

Maya is hungry.

I know because she peeked out of herbox, held her black floppy ears slightlyaloft, scanned the empty plate andretreated. Moments later, she comes outall the way and saunters over to her plateand pellet dish, both still empty.

“I know!” I say as I hurriedly try to grab the plate. I reach into the cage, and she grunts.

“I don’t like eating this late,” she whines.When I return with the plate, brimmingwith wet greens, she stands up, putsboth hands on the plate, and drags it to the floor. I use the word “hands”because I often think Maya is morehuman than rabbit.

I imagine Maya surfing, snarling leadrock vocals, or golfing in funny pants.In my mind, she’s always doing fun“people” things, because she’s got afeisty spirit, and if she were able to dothose fun things, she absolutely would.

She’d be an angry gypsy punk-rockprincess if she were human, some sort ofcross between Patti Smith and WhitneyHouston and Sharon Stone.

I first went to AC&C– where I volunteer–to adopt a big, playful lop. I wanted abun who would binky and do tricks atparties– like juggling plates or pullinghimself out of a hat. But the shelter was

crowded, and there were four black lops.Their personalities varied, as did theirphysical conditions. Maya wasn’t theworst in her aggression, but she wasdefensive and angry.

She was terrified when I brought herhome. I know this because she peed themoment she entered my room. (Mayaknows how to use a litter box; her cageis immaculate. She doesn’t drop pelletsoutside the box; she pees in it too, thoughsometimes she’ll wet the bed just to spiteme, as if to say, “I do what I want.”)

What can I say? I am charmed by her.

Maya is clever and funny, yet moody.She’ll binky and kick out her feet, yet

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more than once she has bitten someone’sarm or leg and held onto it with herteeth. One month into the foster, I toldmy friend Philip, “I can’t keep her. Herattitude stinks!”

“An independent bunny who attacksher cage and wants to be free? Soundsperfect for you,” he replied.

He was right. She’s a diva, my ownminiature Cher. Because, as much as shelunges and bites and growls, she alsoloves my kisses. She lets me wash her eyes.We sing lullaby versions of ’80s metalsongs. We have a special bond, onewhere she does what she wants, and I let her, because I remember what crappyshape she was in when she was surrendered.

Our progress has been a challenge, butit’s yielded amazing results. Sure, she hasanger issues. At times, she reminds meof Lindsay Lohan on a bender, but atleast Maya’s honest about it. She’s dealing.She even earned the nickname “Shark”because of her tendency to lurk beneaththe futon and attack people’s ankles.

But when you come right down to it,Maya Papaya is fantastically entertaining.“Difficult, but not unmanageable,” Ithink to myself, and I know that both ourlives are better because of each other.

–Katelyn Belyus, a rabbit volunteer inManhattan, lives in Jersey City. Feel free to contact her at kbelyus@yahoo.com toshare bunny stories and swap recipes.

MY ‘DIFFICULT’ BUN

Maya,the Punk-Rock Princess with Attitude

Bittersweet Joys(Continued from page 3)

And sometimes these bunnies that I tookto weekend adoption events, talkedabout at parties, stayed up late onmidsummer nights listening to NPRwith, come back into the shelter. Theseare the moments when you can onlystretch and reach deep inside and openyour heart up even bigger, and trust thatthe next person will be the right person.You hope and wish that the foreverhome that this innocent spirit deserves–that everyone and everybun deserves–is

right around the corner. You give up afew more weekends for adoption events,continue to talk about her to everyoneat parties, and stay up late on winternights listening to NPR with her.You seethe expressions on her face, her upturnedtail as she binkies and darts around theapartment. You remember all the timesyou burst out laughing, just thinkingabout things she has done (landing in abox of hay that she couldn’t get out of,eating a report written for work, stealinga potato chip right out of your hand!)and just like that, your studio apartmentdoesn’t feel so small. Her story doesn’t

seem so sad; your own rabbits now arecomfortable with her.

I foster because there is a desperate needfor homes for these animals and eventhe most neglected, abused and timidrabbit can hop away with your sock in itsmouth and turn its head with a coyexpression and you just forget abouteverything and burst out laughing. Whenyou see the expression on their faces,you know they are laughing, too.

–Erin McElhinney, a rabbit volunteer inManhattan, can be reached aterinalanna@gmail.com.

Maya

Photo: Philip Forrest

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Petco and Whiskers products

NotaShopaholic?TheseWebSites,Local Stores,MayMakeYouOneBy Nancy Schreiber and Natalie Reeves

We’ve done a lot of shopping for pet supplies on the Web. Though shipping andhandling charges add up, there’s often no sales tax, and the net cost can end up beingless than what you would pay in a local store. Many Internet retailers offer free shipping.Per-item shipping charges often decrease as you order more items, so it often pays toorder multiples or find a friend or two to combine orders with you.

For good prices on crates and Xpens (even with added-in shipping charges), trywww.kennelvet.com/store-supplies/category-1_51/dog-supplies-dog-exercise-pens.html.Kennelvet.com has the Midwest gold 36-inch Xpen, with door, for an unbeatableprice, and reasonable shipping and handling charges. Also recommended arewww.bargainpetstuff.com and www.jefferspet.com. For bunny furniture, trywww.petwerks.com, which sells bunny abode condos, or www.rabbithouses.net.

Nice bunny toys are found at: www.forotherlivingthings.com, www.busybunny.com,www.bunnybytes.com, www.catsandrabbitsandmore.com, www.rabbitshop.com,www.bunnybunchboutique.com and www.funnybunnytoyco.com.

Bargain toys are available at http://factorydirectcraft.com/index.php. Search for baskets,straw hats and grapevine products, and make sure that whatever you buy is natural,unpainted, unstained and unvarnished. Avoid bamboo products because they havesharp edges.

You can get natural-fiber mats at https://whiteharvesttradingco.com. Shipping andhandling charges can be steep here, so order multiples, or call the store to see if it canmaximize value in how a box is packed.

Despite the convenience of theWeb, toy bargains abound in local stores. IKEA carriesunfinished willow and seagrass baskets, willow balls, palm-leaf placemats and cottonmats. You can get unfinished baskets, grapevine wreaths and straw hats (doll section)in local craft stores such as Michaels or AC Moore, and many 99-cent stores carrymats and baskets.

Petco is a good source for supplies, including hay and pellets.

For Oxbow supplies, try stores that deliver like Whiskers,http://1800whiskers.com/V2/template2.php?CHAPITRE=100, in the East Village at235 East Ninth St., and now in Astoria at 19-25 Ditmars Blvd.; R and T Holistic PetSupply, http://randtpetsupply.net/, in College Point at 14-17 College Point Blvd.;and Pet Menu, http://www.petmenu.com, in Flushing at 191-15 Northern Blvd.

Additional hay suppliers are FarmerDave’s, www.farmerdave.biz, in upstate New York;Sweet Meadow Farm, www.sweetmeadowfarm.com, in Massachusetts (some rabbitsgo crazy for this farm’s Timothy-with-herbs mix); and BunnyLuv, www.bunnyluv.com,in California (many buns enjoy their oat-blend hay).

Happy, hoppy shopping!

–Nancy Schreiber, a House Rabbit Society educator and volunteer with the Long IslandRabbit Rescue Group, is reachable at nschreibmd@aol.com.

–Contact Natalie Reeves at NatalieLReeves@yahoo.com.

Photos: Jane O’W

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By Amy Odum

So, Bun-bun has it all, or nearly–a happyhome, the run of the place (mostly),plenty of yummy veggies, the odd boxor phonebook to demolish if he’s feelingfeisty, and the unconditional devotion ofhis human companions. The only thinglacking is a little bunny honey to share itall with. What do you do next?

The worst possible thing you can do ispick out a rabbit for your bunny, bringhim or her home, put them togetherand expect love to bloom. Most likelythe fur will fly! There is a much betterchance of eventually having a happilybonded pair if Bun gets to choose hisown new friend. When we’re contactedby people who are interested in findinga partner bunny, we schedule what welike to call “bunny speed-dating” sessions.They bring their rabbit to the shelter forone-on-one introductions in neutralspace with several potential partners.

THE BIG DAY

It’s not always possible to guess yourbunny’s “type,” no matter how well youknow him. A mellow, laid-back bunny maydecide to assert himself when presentedwith another rabbit, or a bossy bunnymay become uncharacteristically shy. Thebest thing to do is try several candidatesand see what happens.

The bunnies must be introduced in asafe, neutral area. At the shelter, we usetwo puppy exercise pens linked togetherto form a big “corral” for the bunnies. It’ssmall enough for the humans supervisingthe action to keep an eye on the partici -pants, but large enough for the rabbitsto put a little distance between them ifthey feel stressed.

Each bunny is put in the enclosure andgiven a few minutes to explore and getused to the space. Once they’ve eachhad a chance to do this, they’re put inthe pen at the same time, at opposite endsof the enclosure. Joining them in thespace is one of the volunteers, standing byto intervene if either becomes aggressive.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A lot can be revealed in just the first fewseconds, especially if the reaction isnegative. Instant aggression by one orboth parties is obvious and calls for swiftintervention–the bunnies are immediatelyscooped up out of harm’s way and thatparticular candidate is checked off the list.

Sometimes, if we’re very, very lucky, it’sinstant attraction: no aggression or fear,beyond a little excited apprehension,and both bunnies seem to hit it off rightaway. There may even be a little tentativegrooming on the very first “date.” Thesepairs are meant to be, and usually justone or two bonding sessions at home–just to make sure a little territorialism bythe resident bunny doesn’t surface, onceback on his or her own turf–are all thatis needed before the happy couple canlive together full-time.

Most reactions are between the twoextremes, and reading the signs is a lessonin bunny body language. The rabbits areattempting to work out their dominanceissues–who’s going to be the “alphabunny” and who’ll be the follower. (It’sworth noting that age, gender and sizeare usually irrelevant as far as the bunniesare concerned.)

Keeping their distance. It may look like they’re ignoring each other, but eachis very much aware of the other. Thisseemingly neutral reaction is actuallypositive–if they wanted to fight, theywould. It may not be love at first sight,but it’s peaceful.

Chasing. A question of degree. Trulyrelent less pursuit may mean an unwork -able match, but there’s chasing and thenthere’s chasing. Are the ears back, flattenedagainst the body, or raised? Is the chasertruly aggressive, or is he just trying tokeep up, to get closer to a reluctant ormore cautious partner? Sometimes it’sthe “chasee” who’s actually in control–keeping a comfortable distance, a littlespace between himself and a slightly tooardent admirer. Does the pursuer chasejust enough to make the other bunny runaway, and then stop pursuit? He’s makinga statement, just showing who’s boss.

Mounting. First-time owners of singlerabbits are often surprised to see alteredrabbits mount each other, especially ifit’s the female doing the mounting. This,too, is about dominance, not aboutmaking baby bunnies. Like chasing, it’sa question of degree. If both rabbits arefairly tolerant of the activity and there’sno dispute about who’s on top, figurativelyas well as literally, this may be a matchthat will work.

Sniff and run. One or both bunnies mayget close enough for a quick nose-to-nose sniff and then retreat. This is a clearsign of interest, especially if it’s wellreceived by the other rabbit (no nose nips!).

Ignoring each other. Sometimes the twowill sit within a few feet, even inches, ofeach other and appear to be completelyoblivious. One or both may even turntheir back on the other. This is a verygood sign. They’re definitely interested,but not quite ready to try a more directapproach. Still sorting out those peskydominance issues!

What we’re looking for is consistency. If there’s a pattern to their interactions–if there’s already an indication of howthe dominance roles are likely to playout–then it’s likely that with time andpatience the two will successfully andhappily bond.

We love our bunnies, but for mostcreatures there’s nothing quite like thecompanionship of their own species.Anyone who’s ever lived with a bondedpair knows first-hand how intenselyattached these little couples become, andonce you’ve lived with a happily bondedpair, you’ll find yourself reluctant to ever keep a bunny as a single again.

If you have a bachelor (or bachelorette)bunny and would like to meet potentialpartners, please contact Cindy Stutts(bygolyoly@att.net) in NYC or NancySchreiber (nschreibmd@aol.com) onLong Island.

–Amy Odum, a fosterer and a volunteer at Manhattan AC&C, can be reached atamy@adoptabunny.info.

LOOKING FOR LOVE?

HaveWeGot aGirl(orBoy)forYou!

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BONDING

BunnyHasPickedOut aMate:NowWhat?

By Mary Ann Maier

Rabbits are social creatures and they can benefitfrom living in pairs. Despite this desire forcompanionship, however, you can’t simply putthem together and expect them to get along.There is a recommended process, called “bonding.”

Bonding can be difficult, so it is best to allowrabbits to choose their mates. We arrange forrabbits to meet potential companions at the LongIsland Rabbit Rescue Group or at the ManhattanAC&C shelter. We assess how they get along andguide adopters through the process. (Please see“Looking for Love” on the facing page for whathappens during these introductions.)

You’ll need to have your bonding area preparedwhen you bring your bunny and her new palhome. Set up side-by-side cages with preciselythree inches of space between–no touching.Never allow them to touch noses through thebars before they are bonded.Don’t allow one toexercise in the room where the other is confined.Fights may break out, and damage (physical and emotional) can occur.

Conduct one or two bonding “sessions” daily ina neutral area where neither bunny spends time.Block off furniture they might hide (or fight)under. Provide a rug for traction, plus two litterpans filled with hay. Don’t use their regular litterpans; get new ones.

Place the bunnies in this bonding area. Put sneakerson your hands because you may have to plungein to stop a fight. Now observe. Watch bodylanguage for dominance, fear or indifference.

Look for positive signs, too: eating or washing inone another’s presence, lying down, or turningone’s back. These all are indications they aregetting comfortable with each other.

These bonding sessions are conducted for twominutes–and only two minutes–for at least thefirst week. Have patience. The object is to buildup many peaceful, short sessions rather than topush too fast for longer sessions.

We help bunny parents identify certain behaviorsthat may be a prelude to fighting. Knowing whento intervene, and when not to, is key because itallows the bunnies to safely perform courtshipbehaviors, demonstrating to each other that theycan be trusted.

When not in these sessions, the rabbits continuebonding in their respective cages. Don’t feel badabout confining them. They are highly interestedin being near their new neighbor, and aren’tbored. You can help further by switching theirlitter pans, or even switching the rabbits themselvesinto each other’s cage.

It’s a joy to watch two bonded rabbits snugglingtogether, and it’s comforting to know they haveeach other when we’re at work. However, bondingis challenging. It’s not for everybody, and it’s notfor every bunny. If you are interested in learningmore, please contact us. If you are interested ininstant gratification, also contact us: to adopt analready-bonded pair!

–Mary Ann Maier, a House Rabbit Society educatorwho works with the Long Island Rabbit RescueGroup, can be reached at altitude8@yahoo.com.

From top, Snoopy and Radish on aspeed date; pen setup; Bella and Jerrytouch noses; Snoopy and Radish share a bowl; Beezle and Bloop reclinetogether.

Austin and Confetti Castellano demonstrate that when it comes to bonding, size doesn't matter.

Photo: Toni Castellano

Photo: M

ax Heiman

Photo: M

ax Heiman

Photo: Jane O’W

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Photo:Mary Ann M

aier

Photo:Mary Ann M

aier

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By Kerstin Aumann

Can you imagine suddenly findingyourself homeless at age 80?

This is what happened to Storm, a littleblack dwarf, when she was surrenderedto Animal Care & Control in the fallof 2007. Her previous owners hadowned her for eight (!) years and weresurrendering her now because they hadhad a new baby. Storm was inconsolableover losing her long-time home–she wasso depressed, she wouldn’t eat for weeks.

Storm was a sad little old lady, frail andskinny. It was clear that her previousowners had lost interest in her longbefore they turned her over to AC&Cfor an almost certain death. Storm’s lefteye looked badly infected and a closerlook at her mouth revealed overgrown,brown incisors and more signs ofinfection and neglect.

Fortunately, Storm was rescued andmoved into her “retirement home,” whereshe received medical attention and lotsof TLC. It took several weeks for hercondition to improve physically andpsychologically, but eventually, she waswell enough to be spayed. About threemonths later, she was ready to find lovewith a middle-aged lop named Joshua.

These days, Storm loves life with zest!Her favorite hiding place is under oneof Joshua’s floppy ears. She loves herdaily routine, which includes shots ofantibiotics for her dental abscess andCritical Care feedings to ensure shemaintains a healthy weight. Each morning,Storm comes running to greet herhuman–if she were a little dog, she’dbark so loud that she’d wake up thewhole building with her excitement!

Sadly, Storm’s case of being abandonedlate in life after years of loneliness andneglect is hardly unique. Patty and Patrickare two ten-year old Dutch rabbits whoshare a similar story. Each had livedmany lonely years with their previousowners–one in an outdoor hutch, theother in a mechanic’s garage–until

they were discarded. Luckily, Patty andPatrick found each other in the homeof an HRS educator, where they arenow living out their final years as ablissfully bonded pair.

Few things in life are as rewarding astaking in an older rabbit and givinghim or her a second chance at a goodlife with happiness, care and the love of adevoted human–and better yet, a rabbitcompanion. Please consider openingyour heart and your home to a rabbitwho has little or no hope of finding ahappy ending without you.

–Kerstin Aumann, Ph.D., a House RabbitSociety educator and an AC&C sheltervolunteer in Manhattan, can be contactedat nyc.acc.rabbits@gmail.com.

ELDER BUNS

Love andSecondChances in the GoldenYears:It’sNeverTooLate

From top, Patrick, left, and Patty; Kerstin and Storm; Joshua and Storm.

Photo: M

ary Ann M

aier

Photo: Victor“H

asi”Sinansky

Photo: Victor“H

asi”Sinansky

9

By Lisa Fresolone

Sogna was abandoned at Staten IslandAnimal Care & Control in early January2009 by owners who said they were“moving out of the country.” Apparently,they received her as a gift from someonewho had bought her at a pet store. Shewas thin, timid and had severe sore hocks.She needed to have a toe amputated onher back right foot.

Sogna was lucky that the AC&Cveterinary technician who handled herintake had just transferred to StatenIsland from Manhattan and was familiarwith the volunteers and fosterers there.He contacted the New York City HouseRabbit Society’s educators to evaluateher condition, and to see if she could be rehabilitated.

Sogna’s foster mom is the real hero inthis story. The vet tech brought Sognato her apartment, and she saw in Sogna’seyes that the little girl was a fighter whowould pull through if given proper care.Kerstin, the foster mom, said she couldn’tstand by and watch a rabbit with somuch spirit be put down, so she broughtSogna into her home and nursed herback to health.

Kerstin took Sogna to be seen by someof the best veterinarians in New York.Because Sogna’s foot was bandaged forso long after the toe amputation, shestill has some calcification in the tendonsin that foot. After five months ofrecuperation, she was spayed and readyto be considered for adoption.

During her very first meeting with us,Sogna stole the hearts of my rabbit Biffand me. I remember how Biff ran rightup to her, startling her a bit. We broughther home, and it took only a couple of days before her vibrant personalitystarted to show. It became obvious shewas sweet, playful and affectionate. Thebonding process was quick; it was only a week or two before she and Biff werein complete bunny love.

Today, Sogna enjoys a comfortable lifewith Biff and me. She has lots of toys,fresh daily greens and free range of thebedroom. Twice a day, she and Biff haveplaytime and are allowed to run aroundthe apartment. Sogna still has troublenavigating the wood floors between rugs,but she never lets her past hold herback. She keeps right up with Biff. Herhusbun grooms her lovingly and fastidiously

every day. He’s also appointed himselfher protector, spending his days guardingthe “burrow” under the air conditioner soshe can have some peace of mind whileshe sleeps. I call her my little angel girl.

Sogna is just one of many sick or injuredrabbits who would have been euthanizedif it weren’t for fosterers. In this case,her fosterer was an angel in disguise whoopened her home and devoted time tothe rehabilition of an unhealthy rabbituntil Sogna could find her forever home.Your local shelter has a limited amountof space, even for healthy rabbits. So ifyou have the space and some free time,consider fostering. You’ll give a rabbit anew lease on life and, if a rabbit has beensick, a more comfortable home duringthe recovery process.

–Contact Lisa Fresolone atlisa.fresolone@gmail.com.

At left, Sogna and Biff; top right, Sogna in January 2009,suffering from sore hocks; lower right, Sogna in May 2009,after treatment.

Photo: Lisa Fresolone

Photos: Jane O’W

yatt

REHABILITATION

HowSognaStole Biff’sHeart–AndMine

By Jane O’Wyatt

Before I took care of a feisty young lopnamed Winnie, I hadn’t given floorsurfaces in house rabbits’ homes muchthought. My first clients happened to beHouse Rabbit Society members, and inspacious pens around the city I’d seensisal carpeting, low-or-no-pile rugs,corrugated cardboard and woven jute orstraw squares.

But Winnie’s environment was different.She lived in a small closed cage, and herout-of-cage play area was a room whoseflooring was smooth white tiles, unrelievedby rugs–though there was a fringedCardozo School of Law beach towelspread on the slick floor. When out of hercage, on the floor, she preferred thetowel, but her chief use of it was as alaunching pad to jump up to a 13-footbinky/race course made up of two couchesplaced end-to-end. There she hopped,ran, shuddered and executed balletic leaps.

(Of course, Winnie hated returning toher cage, where she stretched out on apurple plastic floor–not great, but betterthan the metal-grid flooring found insome cages.)

While the couches’ essential appeal toWinnie probably was the traction theyprovided, a rabbit named Pacino reinforcedanother aspect of Winnie’s routine:springiness underfoot is also desirable.Pacino, a little bunny whose environmentincluded a binky-friendly rug, used acouch for special workouts: short sprints,high jumps and aerial turns. Pacinoshowed me that a surface is more fun ifit absorbs the shock of vigorous landings.A springy surface adds bounce, comfort andsafety. Yet I finally “got” the importanceof the mattress effect only after a friendemailed me a link to a YouTube videofeaturing Billy Bunny, the Baryshnikovof house rabbits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmft43qUPaM.Although he shows himself to be aneloquent exponent of cushioned wall-to-wall carpeting, Billy Bunny’s most

impressive dance moves–his bravura leapsand record-breaking Bunny 500s–areperformed on a king-size bed.

Unfortunately few guardians makeavailable to their rabbits king-size beds,couches, wall-to-wall carpeting, sizablearea rugs or even large towels. Nutmeg, asweet little Rex whose hocks had patchesof exposed, calloused skin, lived in abathroom tiled in white marble.When Isuggested a natural-fiber rug for comfortand traction, her guardian replied,“Nutmeg’s eaten every kind of floorcovering I ever tried. What is worse, livingon a marble floor or dying of G.I. stasis?She’s had stasis episodes–scared me todeath!” I backed off, feeling sorry for thebunny and resigned to getting nowherewith her family. However, the next timeI took care of Nutmeg, I found herlounging on a slightly nibbled cotton bedsheet on the bathroom floor.

Pearl and Izumi were young siblings,nominally free-range, whose home basewas a folded bath towel on a hardwoodkitchen floor. Izumi managed basiclocomotion, but Pearl, who’d apparentlybeen born with a splayed front leg, hadtrouble getting around and tended tostay on the towel like a castaway on adesert island. At my suggestion, theirfamily acquired a biggish indoor-outdoorcarpet remnant. On this rug, which theydidn’t chew, Pearl displayed surprisingagility and Izumi did binkies.

A 12-year-old lop named Frou Frou nolonger used a litter box– his family putdown wee-wee pads but Frou Frou peedand pooped everywhere–and there wasn’ta single rug in his home, a downtownloft. Watching Frou Frou shuffle acrossthe loft’s shiny wood floor, I could seethat his legs were splayed out. Lackingtraction, he couldn’t get his legs underhim. His belly and abdomen were tooclose to the floor, and the dense fur onthe underside of his body was damp andmatted with urine. What to do? WithFrou Frou’s guardian’s blessing, I called a

House Rabbit Society friend who advisedrug pathways so that Frou Frou couldgo where he wanted without furtherdamage to his joints. Bed Bath & Beyondwas having a sale, and, voilà, Frou Froustepped eagerly onto the first of 10bathroom rugs laid out for him. Helooked relieved as he paused to sniff therug. Then he followed the soft, yieldingpath to his favorite retreat.

One rabbit-rescue volunteer has workedwith her husband to create a comfortableenvironment for their three bondedpairs and frequent fosters. The apartmentfeatures edible, comfortable, traction-providing surfaces: sisal carpeting, natural-fiber woven mats, cotton runners, softbathroom rugs and bamboo rugs. Bellaand Jerry, whose territory is the bedroom,chase each other on the king-size bed,while the other rabbits enjoy hoppingup on the living-room couch. Snowballand Luna, amusingly active in theirLeith Petwerks condo penthouse, love itso much they sometimes stay in it evenwhen the door is open. Faced with arange of textured surfaces, Joshuafrequently opts for the bathroom floorbecause he craves the coolness of marble.In contrast, Joshua’s elderly partner,Storm, seems to prefer to sunbathe on abamboo rug. A foster bunny recoveringfrom sore hocks rests in a cage linedwith plush fake sheepskin. And so on.

The importance of knowing what houserabbits require and enjoy underfoot, andour responsibility to provide it, can’t beoveremphasized. Light-boned preyanimals, they were designed to sprintand leap, to flee and dance–which theycan do in our homes, given the properconditions.

–Jane O’Wyatt, a volunteer at ManhattanAC&C who is also a rabbit- and cat-sitter,can be reached at jowyatt@nyc.rr.com.

Special thanks to Mary Cotter and KerstinAumann for their help with this article.

GETTING A GRIP

DoesYour Flooring Pass the Binky Test?

10

See “Happy Feet” on the facing page for alist of good floor coverings.

HAPPY FEET

For natural-fiber rugs, made of jute, sisalor 100% cotton, go to:

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/natural-fibers-rugs/home-accessories/1

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/Textiles/10653/

http://www.naturalarearugs.com/sisal/

http://www.pier1.com/SearchResults/tabid/37/txtSearch/rugs/Search/rugs/List/0/Default.aspx

http://www.target.com/Natural-Fibers-Rugs-Home/b/ref=sc_fe_l_4/187-4448290-4133263?ie=UTF8&node=2207035011

For fake sheepskin bedding: http://www.rabbit.org/links/palace_pet.html

Keep These Tips in Mind:Bamboo rugs are durable and easy toclean but can be slippery.

Seagrass rugs are palatable to rabbits andeasy to chew, so they’re likely to be eaten.If you prefer seagrass rugs, be sure to getthem without nonslip latex backing.

You can offer bunnies lots of chew toys todistract them from eating floor coverings.

Some entirely, or partly, synthetic floorcoverings work well in rabbit households.If you decide to try one of these, observeyour bunnies carefully. If they beginchewing these materials, remove them.

Since many rabbits like to chew onrubber, avoid rugs with rubber borders.

Bunnies’ nails may get caught in wide-weave or “looped” carpeting with large loops.

If you use wee-wee pads, don’t let them come into direct contact with yourbunnies.They contain a chemical thatmay contribute to urine scald. “Chucks,”a similar product made for human use,does not contain this chemical and isavailable from medical-supply stores.

11

Love Letters From Adopters: a SamplingOne of our great joys is to receive emailsfrom adopters, letting us know how a rabbit is doing, how the household isadjusting and how blissful life has become.Many emails include photos showingthe rabbit’s new domicile, completewith a picture of a sprawled-out, contentedbun. The following are some excerpts,happily offered up for the newsletter byadopters. (By the way, if you would liketo email us with rabbit news or beadded to our distribution list, write tonyc.acc.rabbits.news@gmail.com)

Leonardo

He is just fabulous! He loves his newhome and has been flying around myroom for hours. Which seems to benormal for him at night until he getstired of playing and then lays in bed withme and kisses my face! I just couldn’t behappier with him. My roommates lovehim as well! He is eating well and I

almost have his fur all brushed out.Buthe seems very happy. Thanks again so much for making thisall happen!!

Jesse

Elmo & Betty Lou (Both adopted from AC&C)

I just wanted to let you know that Elmoand Betty Lou have bonded! It took muchless time than I was expecting, seeing asElmo was so aggressive. Two days agothey cuddled their heads together whileI was petting them. Since then I’ve seenthem get closer and closer, cuddle andhop over one another, share meals andexplore together. Elmo seems so muchhappier and more active having a ladyaround. I was resigning myself to theidea that none of the females at theshelter would be a match for Mr. Humpy,but I’m so glad we were able to findBetty Lou and that you encouraged meto adopt her and to work with them. Iam fully and completely a rabbitophile.

Laurifer

Photo: Jane O’W

yatt

Photo: Jane O’W

yatt

Photo: Laurifer Abram

s

Love Letter Froma Black Bunny Named MargeWhen I was abandoned in a city park in August, I thought Iwould die of loneliness – or get eaten. Then a stranger picked meup and brought me to the AC&C shelter, where I was put in aroom with other rabbits. Kind people fed, petted and played withme. They discussed having a rabbit-savvy vet look at my left eye,which I hadn’t been able to use for quite awhile. I had appointmentswith four vets with gentle hands: the third removed my uselesseye; the fourth spayed me. They, like other rabbit-savvy vets in

the area, take care of bunnies like me at greatly reduced rates–and often at no cost. I am so grateful for their care and wish to thank them all.

I also want to thank Maddy DeLeon for chauffering me to vet appointments andKim Renk for welcoming me to her midtown office where Cindy Stutts, mypersonal assistant and fosterer, could spend quality time with me.

By Natalie Reeves

Any online search for information about rabbitsshould begin with a visit to www.rabbit.org,the Web site of the House Rabbit Society.The New York chapter of the House RabbitSociety can be found at www.rabbitcare.org,which contains a listing of recommendedrabbit-savvy veterinarians.

HEALTH

No matter how trustworthy a source mayseem, never let advice from the Internetabout your rabbit’s health replace a visit to arabbit-savvy vet. But when you can’t reachyour vet, or when you are just trying tolearn everything you can about rabbits, thereare several excellent Internet resources.

Etherbun is a free listserve through whichsubscribers can ask others about rabbithealth, care and behavior. The searchablearchives also are a great source of information.To subscribe, send a blank message toetherbun-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

You may receive approximately 20 emails a day, unless you opt to have your emailscome in a digest form.

Dana Krempels, Ph.D., of the University ofMiami’s biology department, has writtenand posted a number of articles about rabbithealth issues to: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/rabbithealth.html.

Another excellent resource on health-and-care issues is www.medirabbit.com. Oneparticularly interesting part of this site isfound in the “Feeding” section. Click on“Feeding the House Rabbit” to obtain oneof the most comprehensive lists (and pictures)of veggies that are safe for rabbits.

Watch videos posted on the “FastUpOnRabbit Care” channel on YouTube about anumber of topics, such as what to feed yourrabbit, how to clip your rabbit’s nails, andhow to administer subcutaneous fluids:www.youtube.com/FastUpOnRabbitCare.

–Natalie Reeves can be reached atNatalieLReeves@yahoo.com.

Keep This List of Internet Sites Handy

12

Here’s our recommended vet list for theNewYork metropolitan area. Please note thatmany clinics have multiple veterinarians,and our recommendations are for specificveterinarians in those clinics. If you can’t getan appointment with a recommended vet atone clinic, don’t assume (no matter whatyou are told by the clinic) that other vets inthe same clinic can help your rabbit. If youhave any questions or would like to discussany of the vets on this list, please contactMary Cotter at (914) 337-6146. When youmake an appointment with any of thesevets, please tell them you were referred by us.

Westchester County:

Anthony Pilny, DVM Animal Specialty Center9 Odell Plaza, Yonkers, NY 10701(914) 457-4000

Gil Stanzione, DVM381Dobbs FerryRoad,White Plains,NY 10607(914) 421-0020

Laurie Hess, DVMFine Animal HospitalBedford Hills, NY 10507(914) 666-8061

Bond Animal Hospital, 250 Central Ave.White Plains, NY 10606(914) 949-8860

Long Island:

Jennifer Saver, DVMLaura George, DVMCatnip & Carrots Veterinary Hospital2221Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040(516) 877-7080

Heidi Hoefer, DVMIsland Exotic Vet Care591 East Jericho Turnpike Huntington Station, NY 11746(631) 424-0300

Manhattan:

Becky Campbell, DVMSymphony Veterinary Center698 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10025(212) 866-8000

Katherine Quesenberry, DVMThe Animal Medical Center510 East 62nd St., New York, NY 10065(212) 838-7053, (212) 329-8622

Alex Wilson, DVM Linda Pesek, DVMThe Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine568 Columbus Ave., New York, NY 10024(212) 501-8750

Anthony Pilny, DVMVeterinary Internal Medicine and Allergy Specialists207 East 84th St., New York, NY 10028 (212) 988-4650

Licensed HRS RepresentativesMary Cotter, HRS Licensed Educator,Chapter Manager, Rabbit Rescue & Rehab,mec@cloud9.net, (914)337-6146, rabbitcare.org

Nancy Schreiber, HRS Licensed Educator,Co-Chapter Manager-in-Training, RabbitRescue & Rehab, Long Island Rabbit RescueGroup Volunteer, nschreibmd@aol.com,(516) 510-3637, longislandrabbitrescue.orgCindy Stutts, HRS Licensed Educator,Manager NYC/ACC Rabbit Program,bygolyoly@att.net, (646) 319-4766, nycacc.orgMary Ann Maier, HRS Licensed Educator,Long Island Rabbit Rescue Group Volunteer,altitude8@yahoo.com, (516) 671-6654,longislandrabbitrescue.orgDonna Sheridan, HRS Licensed Educator,Long Island Rabbit Rescue Volunteer,hpocus217@yahoo.com,longislandrabbitrescue.orgKerstin Aumann, HRS Licensed Educator,NYC/ACC Volunteer,nyc.acc.rabbits@gmail.comJennifer Saver, DVM, HRS Licensed EducatorLaura George, DVM, HRS Licensed Educator

Newsletter of RRR/NYC HRS56 West Pondfield Road #5CBronxville, NY 10708www.rabbitcare.org

Editor: Susan LilloCreative Director: Jane O’Wyatt

Rabbit Rescue & Rehab is a not-for-profit,tax-exempt corporation in New York State.Our purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate andfind permanent homes for abandoned,abused and neglected rabbits, and to educatethe general public on rabbit care throughpublications, telephone consultations, homevisits and public presentations. This newsletteris published by RRR/NYS HRS, which issolely responsible for its content. Letters,photographs and other submissions to thenewletter become the property of the NYCChapter and cannot be returned. We retainthe right to edit submissions for publication.

Rabbit-Savvy Veterinarians

NYC Metro Rabbit NewsFall 2009

All donations go directly to caring forour foster rabbits and are tax-deductible.Please help us help them. Checks shouldbe made out to Rabbit Rescue & Rehaband mailed to:

Cindy Stutts1199 Park Avenue, #14D New York, NY 10128

By Mary Cotter, Ed.D.

In early 2005, Marcy Fox1 adopted anorange and white lop rabbit she hadfallen in love with, from a major municipalshelter. A few months later, Marcy, intears, showed up at the shelter, “Blooper”in tow. “What’s wrong?” said the deskclerk. “I’m allergic to him,” wept Marcy.“When I first brought him home, itwasn’t so bad. But now that it’s spring,my symptoms are worse than ever. I lovehim so much, but I just can’t live this way!”

Year after year, rabbit owners relinquishtheir beloved pets to shelters, certainthat they have allergies2, and that theirsymptoms will disappear when the rabbitdoes. Are they right?

“Not necessarily,” says Dr. Paul Lang,founding member and board-certified

allergist at the North Shore Allergy andAsthma Institute. “There are certainconditions that mimic allergies, such asvasomotor rhinitis – where you can get alot of sinus congestion, postnasal drip,irritated eyes. But this has nothing to dowith allergies, and is treated differently.”Further, he continues, “very often, what

a person thinks they’re allergic to is notwhat they are sensitive to, especially whenit comes to animals – and that’s thereason for professional allergy testing.”Lang cites the example of a visitor to ahousehold that has pets. “If the visitorexperiences allergic symptoms – such assneezing, watery eyes, runny nose – theassumption is that it’s the animals. Butvery often it’s not. It may be dust ordust mites that the person’s allergic to –with zero sensitivity to the animals.”

Marcy Fox’s case illustrates just this kind ofassumption. If an owner does not undergoallergy testing, warns Lang, she may begiving up her pet for no reason at all.“It’s really important to try to objectifyallergic responses as much as possible,” hecontinues.“Otherwise, it’s just hit or miss.”

But what if you are tested by a qualifiedallergist, and diagnosed definitively withan allergy to your beloved Thumper.Must the two of you hop your ownseparate ways? Again, not necessarily.

Allergies are often conceptualized inrelation to a threshold: a certain numberof allergens can be handled by the bodywithout incident. But add just onemore,and it may be the “last straw,” pushing aperson into a hypersensitized state, withfull-blown symptoms. Lang uses theanalogy of a skin burn: “When your skinis burned, it is hypersensitive to anykind of touch. But when it heals, thenyou can tolerate various kinds of touchwithout a problem.”

In practical terms, this means that if youcan reduce the overall allergen load inyour environment, you may very well beable to live happily with a pet. How todo this? Lang proposes several ways:

1) Keep your pet out of the bedroom.This will minimize allergens to whichyou might react, even while sleeping.

“HELP!I’mAllergic toMyRabbit!”

NYC Metro Rabbit News, Fall 2009 • Allergy Handout

Ellen Kane and Bailey

WHAT’S WRONG?Photo: M

ary Ann M

aier

(Continued over)

1 Name and details have been changed, to safeguard privacy.2 An allergy is an exaggerated response of the immune system (resulting in histamine release) to a substance that is essentially harmless.

The assumption is thatit’s the animals.But veryoften it’s not.It maybedust or dust mites thattheperson’s allergic to–with zero sensitivity tothe animals.”

“

2) Perform frequent cleaning – it’sthe animal’s dander that people aretypically allergic to. Reduce thedander, and you reduce the symptoms.

3) Use air purifiers and HEPA filters –these can be very effective in loweringthe allergen load in your home.

4) Bathe the animal, and considerusing a product such as “Allopet”that can be added to the bath water.It moisturizes the animal’s skin andreduces flaking. [Author’s note:bathing is NOT recommended forrabbits, but in a household withmultiple species, bathing the otherspecies can help to minimize dander.]

Ellen Kane, of Queens, NY, credits herrabbit, Bailey, with alerting her to apreviously unrecognized allergen load inher own apartment. Shortly after adoptingBailey (a friendly, puppy-like, ex-lab-rabbit, who bonded quickly with Kane’scocker spaniel, Murphy), Kane developedsevere allergy symptoms, requiringtreatment with albuterol (a bronchodilator),steroids, and antihistamines. She wastested by Dr. Lang, and found to beallergic to rabbits, among other things.Heartbroken, she decided to returnBailey to Rabbit Rescue & Rehab.

When returning Bailey, Kane was verysurprised to discover that, in the fosterer’shome, her allergies seemed under control,in spite of the presence of a large numberof rabbits, and a large quantity of grasshay. She noticed that the fosterer had nowall-to-wall carpeting, and wondered ifher own carpeting contributed to her

allergy symptoms. After discussing thesituation with Dr. Lang, she decided toremove her wall-to-wall carpeting in aneffort to reduce the allergen load in herhome. She found mold in some areas ofthe floor under the carpeting and tooksteps to eliminate that as well.

The result was dramatic. Kane was able toreclaim Bailey, and is now living happilywith her, under Dr. Lang’s supervision.“If it weren’t for Bailey,” says Kane, “Inever would have discovered how manyother allergens I was living with. I giveher full credit for improving my qualityof life – in so many ways. I’m offalbuterol, I’m off steroids. And I can kiss my bunny right on the head!”

But suppose you’ve reduced as manyallergens in your environment as possible,and you still experience symptomsaround Thumper. Is this a sure sign youmust relinquish your pet?

“Some people may need to give up theirpets,” says Lang, “but certainly not all.It really depends on how severe theallergy is, how amenable the person is tothe use of medication, how effective themedicines are. There are some peoplewho say ‘I don’t want to take medicine– I have to get rid of the animal.’ ButI’d only consider that if they’ve actuallyverified that it’s the animal who’s causingthe problem.”

Lang espouses “minimum interventionfor maximum improvement,” and doesnot routinely recommend allergy(desensitization) shots. Nevertheless, herecognizes that, for some patients, thebenefits of animal companionship canoutweigh the difficulties caused byallergies, assuming their symptoms can be kept under control. “Everybody hasdifferent needs and desires for a pet,” he says. “There are some patients whoare highly allergic, but I’ll go ahead andtreat them with allergy shots, becausefor them, their pet is their child.”

The bottom line, according to Lang, is this:“Don’t make assumptions, and don’tjust endlessly take medication; if you areexperiencing symptoms, get appropriatetesting by a professional who is qualifiedto interpret the results.”

–Mary Cotter, who is the founder ofRabbit Rescue & Rehab and Manager ofthe NYC Chapter of House Rabbit Society,can be reached at mec@cloud9.net.

HELP! I’m Allergic(Continued)

Dr. Paul Lang

Photo: M

ary Cotter

Shewas very surprisedto discover that herallergies seemed undercontrol,in spite of thepresence of a large numberof rabbits,and a largequantity of grass hay.