Category Archives: Bunny Buzz

A Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Four months ago Honey, Mr. Bb and I travelled to the Toronto Humane Society for a bunny date! There were a few handsome males that peaked Honey’s interest while she browsed the online ads but none more-so than an adorable 3 year old Silver Marten Rex named Cupcake. Honey waited (im)patiently while we spoke with one of the Special Species staff about her potential suitors.

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When we heard little Cupcake’s story we were immediately in love! Adjacent pens were set up, Honey was placed in one and Cupcake in the other. The session went really well with neither displaying signs of aggression. Honey even flirted a little by flopping against the cage bars and having a bath! So we signed the paperwork and headed home with an extra little fuzzball in tow!

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From there we renamed Cupcake to Sebastian and Honey and Sebby began their courtship. For the first few weeks they got used to one another in adjacent pens. Honey was incredibly curious about her new friend and spent a lot of time at the cage bars. Sebastian was getting used to the sights and smells of his new surroundings and didn’t seem too interested in what Honey would do.

handsTheir first official date took place in the tub and it wasn’t long before they had moved on to snuggling and even some grooming! From there they advanced to a small area in the kitchen. It took them a few months to learn to trust one another, but that’s what dating is all about!

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Finally a few months after that first meet and greet, the fighting had stopped and the humping was settling down. Floor time no longer needed to be supervised and both seemed overly smitten with each other. It was time for their first sleepover!

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I set up a large pen within earshot of our bedroom with lots of space and places for them to hide so each had ample space to get away from the other if needed. Mr. Bb hooked up a security camera so I could check on them throughout the night through an app on my phone. That way I didn’t have to disturb them if it wasn’t needed and could still hear them if any scuffling or fighting happened. I woke the next morning and ran to their pen to catch them snuggling!

The sleepover was a success!

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And so a few weeks ago, it finally became official! Honey and Sebastian are now in marital bliss and living together in the Pet Room! We couldn’t be more ecstatic and it warms my heart to see two bunnies who deserve a life of love and happiness doing just that!

 

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Welcome Home Sebastian!

After Rocky’s passing, Honey became a completely different rabbit. She lost her appetite, wasn’t moving much and seemed incredibly lonely and depressed. We set her up in an adjacent pen to Willow and Ollie which perked her up a bit and then attempted to bond all three to form a trio. After weeks of this however, it was clear that Willow did not want any part of it! So we turned to the Toronto Humane Society to find her an appropriate companion and to give a deserving rabbit a second chance at a loving forever home.

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After contacting THS, I completed the application form and sent in additional photos of our setups as well as some information on Honey so they had an idea of her personality. We only waited a week or two before being contacted – they had a rabbit they felt met our requirements! We set up a meet and greet and made the trip out with Honey in the hopes of adding to our fur family!

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When they told us Cupcakes’ story, we were immediately in love! This sweet 3 year old Silver Marten Dwarf Rex had been surrendered with teeth issues that had developed in to a large abscess under his chin. After having the abscess drained and treated, he was neutered and microchipped. From there he spent a few months in foster care to ensure he had properly healed and his teeth issues hadn’t returned before becoming available for adoption. This little bun was a true fighter and needed a home that could provide a lot of love and care!

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While conducting the interview, Honey and Cupcakes were set up in adjacent ex-pens so that we could observe their behaviour. Both exhibited positive signs of interaction – Honey even had a bath and flopped against the cage bars. She was ready for a friend! We signed the paperwork and YIPPEE, Cupcakes was ours!

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Cupcakes seemed completely at home from the moment he came through the front door. He excitedly hopped around his pen, chinning and observing his new surroundings. Although we provided many places for him to hide while he adjusted to his new home, we always found him sleeping out in the open. When our dogs or cats approached the pen he would hop up to them, excited to say hello.

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Next we had to find a new name for this little dude as Cupcakes just didn’t seem fitting. It was Grandma Bb that actually suggested Sebastian after I sent her a photo of him. Mr. Bb and I both liked the name and thought it suited him. A fresh name for a fresh start.

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We have now had Sebastian with us for 1 1/2 months and can’t imagine life without him! He comes when we call him and eagerly greets us every morning by running to the cage door! If you unlock it, he will grip the bottom of the door and pull it open, then run out to meet you! He loves a good snuggle with us and has really helped alleviate Honey’s loneliness. Although Honey and Sebastian are not fully bonded yet, they spend a large portion of their sessions snuggling and grooming one another.

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Sebastian loves to explore during floor time and although we have yet to see a binky, there have been some pretty excited hops and tail twitches! He also loves to snuggle with us on the couch while watching tv. He is a cheeky boy who adores his food! He gets so excited for pellet time that I have to be careful not to step on him as he does a dance and circles my legs! He loves his farm fresh hay and veggie time as well!

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If you are looking to add a rabbit to your family and live around the GTA, I highly recommend the Toronto Humane Society. The staff were extremely friendly and knowledgeable while helping us find the right rabbit. All rabbits are spayed/neutered, microchipped and health checked prior to being adopted out so you know your new companion is healthy! They also offer meet and greets so if you are looking for a bonding partner for a rabbit that is already part of your household, you are more likely to end up with a successful bond – which was something incredibly important to us! It was also incredibly refreshing walking in to a facility that promoted the proper housing and house rabbit welfare I strive to educate others on.

7Welcome to your new life Sebastian! We are very excited to have you as our newest member of the Bb Family!

You can see more of Sebastian here.

 

 

 

 

 

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❤ Binky Free Rocky ❤

IMG_3839Sadly on March 18th, 2015 our sweet and beautiful rabbit Rocky passed peacefully in my arms. Rocky had begun to show signs of stasis so we force fed him critical care, administered some simethicone drops and gave stomach massages in the hopes that he would improve. As this all happened in the wee hours of the morning, we anxiously waited for our vet to open so that we could take him in. As we drove to our veterinarian’s office, Rocky began to fade in my arms. Our worst fears were confirmed when our vet told us that Rocky’s stomach had flipped and his temperature and heart rate had dropped so much that his body had begun shutting down. He assured us that we had done everything right but that the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep. As I held him warm and safe against my chest with Mr. Bb hugging us both, I told him how special he was and how much we loved him. I told him that it was okay to let go and I promised to take good care of Honey. I thanked him for everything that he taught me and for choosing me.

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My love for rabbits began by doing everything wrong. I wasn’t prepared and my knowledge on them was limited. Like so many others, I was suckered in during the Easter Bunny madness at a pet shop and wanted one of my very own! I had a look at the dozens of tiny baby fluff balls but none called out to me. Then I noticed one rabbit sitting off by himself and twice the size of the others. He was mostly black with some white on one side of his neck, mouth and on his one paw. He had been there for a few months and was now being passed up for the younger, smaller babies that had come in. I asked the associate if I could hold him. She placed him in my arms and he nuzzled in to my neck. At that moment I knew he was coming home with me. I carried him around the store while I picked out all of the wrong things including a bag of muesli mix and a horrendously small rabbit cage. I laughed at her when she recommended a small rattle and told me that rabbits liked to throw things but I bought it anyways. Later, I was glad that I did because that became my new little rabbit’s favourite toy.BundaySundayRocky

On the way home my husband and I threw names back and forth but nothing fit. Then Mr. Bb, being a big Rocky fan, suggested the name Rocky. I didn’t like it at all but I looked down at our new bundle of joy and said ‘Shoot, he does look like a Rocky.’

When we got home I set up his cage in one of our spare bedrooms, which was later to become the Pet Room. I put in his food and water dishes, set up his hay rack, filled his litter box and threw in a few toys only to realize there wasn’t any room to put Rocky! From that moment I quickly became a Bunny Slave.

In the coming months Rocky taught me how incredible, intelligent, gentle and loving rabbits are. He taught me that rabbits love to run and play and that a binky meant he was happy (the first time I saw him kick up his heels I was frightened something was wrong)! He greeted me when I came home from work by running up to me making happy little grunts and looking for snuggles. Before being neutered he would pee on my foot. Most people would find that disgusting I’m sure, and it was a little, but it was also endearing that he was marking me as his. Years later and with a WifeyBun to keep him company, Rocky always remained a Mama’s Boy and would pout when he felt I wasn’t giving him enough attention!

IMG_1277As I learnt more about Rocky, I wanted to give him more. I wanted him to have more space and lots of fun toys to keep him busy. I wanted him to have a companion to share his life with so he would never be lonely when I wasn’t there. I learnt that rabbits were the third most abandoned animals in shelters and that many end up there because people didn’t know how to care for them properly. They didn’t know that pet shop cages weren’t big enough. They didn’t know that spaying/neutering was essential for the well-being of their rabbit and also curbed a lot of hormonally driven behaviours. They didn’t know that when given the chance to thrive and the patience and dedication to tame, these animals are just as amazing as a cat or dog. As my knowledge on rabbits expanded, so did our household – from one rabbit to four – and eventually inspired me to begin BudgetBunny so that I could educate others about how incredible these animals are too.IMG_0851

Rocky was more than just an incredible rabbit. He gave me a purpose and provided direction in my life at a time when I was struggling with where I was headed. If I had never brought that sweet little rabbit home that day in March 2008, Ollie, Willow and Honey wouldn’t be living the great lives they have now and BudgetBunny wouldn’t exist. Knowing that he not only touched my life but has inspired so many of you has been so comforting to me during such a difficult time.

I find peace in knowing that Rocky began his life with us safe in my arms and surrounded by love and took his last breaths in the same spot, safe and warm, with those who loved him most. There is a beautiful symmetry in that. We miss you dearly, sweet boy.

If you would like to know a little about this incredible rabbit you can watch his Rabbit Profile video here.

You can watch a special tribute to Rocky here.

Binky Free. 2008-2015

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Rabbits & Easter Don’t Mix!

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With Easter just around the corner, I wanted to remind everyone about the time, care and dedication that pet rabbit’s require.

Every year thousands of rabbits, baby chicks, ducks and guinea pigs are purchased as adorable Easter pets only to be ditched weeks later at shelters or abandoned outdoors when the child they were purchased for tires of them. 

Rabbits are an 8-10 year commitment.  They require at least 3-6 hours of free range exercise time daily.  Store bought cages are not large enough to house your rabbit and provide all of the necessities he/she needs to be happy and healthy.  Rabbits love to chew and dig so if you don’t properly rabbit proof your house cords, carpet, clothing, bedding and furniture can all become victims to what is a natural instinct.  When they reach their teenager years (usually starting around 4-6 months of age) they will develop some nasty habits like lunging, growling, humping and marking their territory if you don’t have them spayed or neutered.  Rabbits are social animals who require constant interaction with you or preferably another fixed rabbit.  Rabbits need a constant supply of hay as well as pellets and fresh veggies fed daily and should see a vet at least once a year for a check-up.

If you are seriously considering adding a rabbit to your family, please do your research and consider visiting your local rescue about a month after Easter has passed. This will be when those cute and cuddly Easter rabbits start showing up on their doorstep.

I would like to also remind everyone that rabbits are the third most abandoned animal at shelters after cats and dogs.

So this year, resist the temptation and opt for a chocolate or stuffed Easter bunny instead!

For more sweet rabbit photos check us out on Facebook!

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BudgetBunny Published In This Month’s Bunnyzine!

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Bunnyzine was very kind to include our DIY Hay Box tutorial in this month’s issue! Bunnyzine is a monthly magazine that focuses on all things bunny!

Click on the photo to be taken to their website where you can download the issue for free or choose to make a donation.

Thank you so much to Dustin at Bunnyzine for including Bb in this month’s issue!

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Adopt A Rescued Rabbit!

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Did you know that February is Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month?

Unfortunately rabbits are the third most abandoned animal at shelters. Unlike what you may have heard, these animals are not ‘starter’ pets. Rabbits need the attention and commitment of a cat or dog, require several hours of daily free range exercise and do best with a companion of their own kind.


So Why Adopt A Rabbit?

1) Rabbits can be easily litter trained.

2) Rabbits are extremely social and love to interact with you.

3) Rabbits have a life span of approximately 8-10 years.

4) Rabbits are fairly quiet, do not require outside bathroom trips or frequent walks.

5) With some rabbit proofing, rabbits make great and clean house pets!


There Are Many Reasons To Adopt Your Next Pet:

  • Save A Life

By choosing to adopt you are giving a displaced pet the loving, forever home that it deserves! And not only are you saving the life of that animal but you are freeing up a space so the rescue can take in another.

  • Get A Healthy Pet

Prior to being adopted out, most shelters and rescues will have surrendered animals examined by a vet, get them up to date on any necessary vaccines, spay and neuter the animal (when applicable) and treat any health issues. You can be assured that when that furbaby joins your home it is in the best of health. Any animals with chronic health conditions requiring ongoing treatment or medications will have these medical conditions listed in their description so there are no surprises.

  • Make Sure You End Up With The Right Pet For You

The staff and volunteers at your local shelter are there to make sure that you end up with the right pet to suit your needs and lifestyle. They want these animals to be happy in their forever home as much as you do and that means helping you identify what you are looking for in an animal as well as how much space, time and money you have to dedicate to a pet. Most rescues have a screening process to ensure the right animal goes home with the right owner.

  • Save Money

Adoption fees typically include a full health check by a qualified veterinarian, spay/neuter, necessary vaccines and any medical treatments required to get that pet back to full health. This fee is minimal when you consider what it would cost for you to have these done yourself at your local vet’s office.

  • Know That You’re Serious About Adding A New Family Member To Your Home

An adoption takes time to process. There are applications to complete and a screening process to undergo before you get to bring home that pet. Unlike buying a pet on a whim this gives you time to really consider if you are serious about sharing your life with a furry friend.

  • That Feel Good Feeling

There is nothing like the feeling of knowing that because of you an animal has been given a second chance. And trust me, they will thank you for it every day.


A rabbit is not for everyone. Please make sure to check out our videos including Is A Rabbit The Right Pet For You?

And if you’re not ready to make the commitment but are still passionate about these wonderful animals, please consider making a donation to your local rabbit rescue or shelter.  Your contribution could help neuter or spay a rabbit in need, provide food and temporary housing or pay for any required medical treatment.

 

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Lots Of Hay For The New Year!

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A few weeks ago, Mom and Dad braved a snowstorm to pick up 6 bales of farm fresh timothy hay from Bales4Bunnies! Hay is the most important part of our diet you know and should always be available in unlimited amounts!

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When Mom and Dad got home they set to work dividing the hay in to storage containers and sacks. Now it’s taking over our house! There’s hay here…

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…and here….

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…and lots under here! There are even five more bins tucked under there full of the good stuff! I think we’ll be set for a while!

If you’re in the Peterborough area, you should check out their website:

http://bales4bunnies.webs.com/bales4bunnies-products

My bunnies love their hay and you can’t beat the price!

– The Bb Buns

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BudgetBunny Published!

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I was recently contacted by Bunnyzine, a monthly digital magazine that focuses on all things bunny and appear in this month’s issue!

Click on the photo to be taken to their website where you can download the issue for free or choose to make a donation.

Thank you so much to Dustin at Bunnyzine for taking the time to reach out to me!

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Hoppy New Year!

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Hoppy New Year to all of our amazing friends and followers!

It has been so incredible to see BudgetBunny grow so much – especially in the last year! Thank you for all of your support and patience while the Bb family moved and settled in to our new home! We feel so fortunate that we have been able to give the small furries the life we always dreamed for them!

Wishing you all a very happy 2015 filled with love, laughter and joy!

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All Settled In

We’ve been in our new home for 1 1/2 months now.

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It’s alright I guess!

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I mean there are lots of goodies in here to do some serious chewing.

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And lots of room for proper grooming sessions!

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And plenty of space to stretch our legs!

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Yeah I guess Mom and Dad did an okay job!

Hoppy Monday!

– Honey

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