(Photos) Raving for Rabbits in Regent Square

It was when Nosey stuck her little pink sniffer through the bars of her pen in a plea for attention, that Jennie Neidelman fell in love. Now Nosey has her own dedicated spot on Neidelman's couch.  

To help more rabbits like Nosey get new homes, Animal Nature hosted its annual 'Hoppy Hour' event this weekend to raise money for Rabbit Wranglers, a non-profit rabbit fostering, adoption and support program.

Rabbit Wranglers works with area animal shelters to take care of needy rabbits with behavioral or medical issues. After ramping up adoption efforts this year, the organization has been able to place 25 rabbits in permanent homes. Rabbit Wranglers currently has 50 rabbits total in its care, according to Alyssa O’Toole, the co-founder.   

“I think we’ve done a lot for pet owners as well,” O’Toole said. Grooming, boarding and one-on-one consultations are some of Rabbit Wranglers additional services.

Jacques, a rabbit the size of a small dog, pranced around the floor and soaked in the attention of everyone in the room. Another rabbit, Winona, hid in a blanket in her caretaker’s arms. Other bunnies played with each other in playpens and ate multi-colored flowers from their own bunny buffet.

Describing the pets as funny and personable, O’Toole said she can’t imagine not being a rabbit owner.

“I think having a rabbit is so different than having any other companion animal,” O’Toole said.

As prey animals, rabbits are more skittish. O’Toole said a rabbit owner has to figure out what is normal to their pet, give them their own safe space and bond with them.  

While O’Toole said rabbits can be more high maintenance than other pets, they are similar to cats and dogs in some respects.

Rabbits can be litter trained like cats, clicker trained like dogs and eventually allowed to free roam the house — though O’Toole added bunny proofing chords is a must.

Above all, O’Toole said people should do their research before committing to a new pet. Cradling her own pet rabbit, Bacon, Blue Martin echoed O’Toole’s sentiments.

“Bunny people are often very sensitive. When someone says they’re going to get a bunny instead of being overjoyed like most people are when they say they’re getting a dog they’re like, ‘Okay what are you going to feed it? Where are you going to put it? What do you know about rabbits? Carrots are bad!’” Martin said. 

If you're interested in adopting or fostering a rabbit contact Alyssa O'Toole at alyssa@rabbitwranglers.org.