Most of us look forward to spring. More sunshine, longer days, bright flowers and enjoyable holidays like Easter. But for those who work at bunny rescues, spring is their least favorite season. Patricia Lee-Jenkins, founder of The Hare BnB Rescue Spa & Boutique, a bunny rescue in Olympia, wants people to seriously consider what owning a rabbit looks like before committing to an “Easter” bunny for their kids.
“I really dislike this time of year,” Patricia admits. “People get bunnies without doing the research to know what it takes. Then the bunnies go into the hormonal stage and their personalities can completely change. If they decide to keep them then the cost of spay or neuter is very expensive.”
Patricia has been around bunnies most her life. After volunteering at Joint Animal Services, she decided to focus on rabbits, and started her rescue during COVID.
Bunny Boarding, Spa Days and Rescue in Thurston County
Patricia explains that the “BnB” stands for “boarding and bonding.” Every Saturday and some Sundays, they travel to groom bunnies. Long-haired breeds in particular need constant grooming to avoid mats. All bunnies need their nails trimmed regularly, just like dogs and cats.
Another part of her rescue is the boutique and bonding activities. “For the boutique, we have enrichment items for the bunnies,” shares Patricia. “Most of the items are handmade by volunteers.”
And if you are looking to adopt, they have some unique ways of doing that too! “A fun thing we do when someone is looking for a partner for their bunny, we do Speed Dates where their bunny gets to meet other bunnies,” Patricia explains. “Their bunny gets to choose. As well when someone is looking for a bunny, the bunny gets to choose their human!”
Although they do a lot of fun things, rescue is a serious business for Patricia and her foster partners. Every spring, they get an influx of abandoned rabbits who were often Easter gifts that children and/or parents are now tired of a few weeks later. “We do get an influx with people just dumping the bunnies outside,” Patricia says. “It’s horrible and inhumane. People get bored, their kids get busy in school so they don’t take care of them.”
Since they started, Hare BNB has taken in over 100 bunnies. “In one rescue, it was two moms with 16 babies,” shares Patricia.
Adopting a Bunny in Thurston County
Patricia says people should make sure they are ready for an approximately 10-year commitment, as well as the financial burden of caring for a bunny. This includes veterinary care like vaccines and spay or neuter, as well as food, bedding and enrichment items.
While waiting for their forever homes, bunnies at the Hare BNB Rescues, Spa & Boutique are not in cages, but with foster families. “We absolutely need fosters,” says Patricia. “We cover everything for them and provide the necessary tools. We do require an interview to discuss the responsibilities of caring for our bunnies. Mostly constant communication with us.”
Fostering can be a great way to see if you are ready for a bunny lifetime commitment. If you have never owned one, you may be surprised at how smart they are! Bunnies can be taught to use a litter box like a cat, and are great candidates for clicker training. They will learn their name, tricks and anything else you can think of. Rabbit 4-H even has bunny agility! Bunnies can be great pets for kids, as long as the adults are ready for the responsibility. Bunny-proofing your home is also important: it’s easy for a bunny to meet an untimely end chewing on electric cords or eating things they should not.
Even if you can’t foster or adopt, you can support Hare BNB Rescues, Spa & Boutique through financial donations. “Even 5-10 a month consistently makes a huge difference because our vet bills are so high,” shares Patricia. Other unique ways you can help include hosting spa days, making items for the boutique to sell or running your own fundraiser. “We need innovative and producing people to help us save bunnies one hop at a time,” she adds.
For more information, follow The Hare BNB Rescues, Spa & Boutique on Facebook and Instagram.
