In This Chapter
- Finding out about rabbit breeds and behavior
- Getting more information on rabbit care
- Networking with other rabbit owners
The following Web sites contain a
plethora of information that may help you to understand and care for your
rabbit. If you visit any of these sites on a regular basis, your bunny’s life
may be enriched. Check out the links on these sites to be transported deeper
into the rabbit web.
Warning!
The Web sites listed in this chapter, which are just a sampling of what’s on the Internet, aren’t intended as an endorsement. The Internet isn’t regulated, so people can put up any information they like and call it fact. Use discretion and check more than one source for information.
www.arba.net
In the world of American rabbit
shows, The American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. (ARBA) is the
grand overseer. The organization registers nearly 50 different purebred rabbit
breeds, manages the standards of each breed, and sanctions rabbit shows around
the country.
If you’re into purebred rabbits
and even rabbit shows, pay a visit to the ARBA Web site. This site provides a
window into the organization and provides loads of information on purebred
rabbits. Take, for example, the “Breed Photos” area: A photograph of each
recognized breed is pictured, along with a hot link that takes you to that
breed’s national club Web site - if one is available, that is. Not all national
clubs have sites up yet.
Warning!
Be aware that ARBA promotes all uses of rabbits, including commercial fur production and food production. Read its statement on its home page.
www.binkybunny.com
If you’re looking for tips and
tricks for living with house rabbits, Binky Bunny is the place for you!
The creator of Binky Bunny came
up with the idea of the site as a way to share the tried and true methods of coping
with the common issues that lead many frustrated owners to give up their
rabbits. The site has built up a community of rabbit folks who share what
they’ve learned about their own experiences with house rabbits — and the joys
and challenges involved with their behaviors.
The site features bunny info on
bonding, rabbit-proofing, litter box training, and more; forums and chatting;
and a wide variety of products.
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/etherbun.html
Etherbun is an electronic
mailing list devoted to care, health, and behavior of domestic companion
rabbits. The list, which is free, is a wonderful resource for those interested
in learning more about rabbit medical care and general health.
Most of those who participate in
Etherbun are rabbit folk or seasoned rabbit rescuers. (Keep in mind, however,
that the list isn’t a replacement for veterinary care.) You can go to the Web
site of the Houserabbit Adoption Rescue and Education organization to sign up
for Etherbun.
www.leithpetwerks.com
Leith Petwerks, a family-owned
company of rabbit lovers, carries a full line of toys, supplies and care
products for rabbits and small animals. Leith, which supports rabbit rescue
groups, is known for its Bunny Abode Condos — the specially designed bunny
homes that come in single-, double-, and triple-level models designed to “fit
almost every rabbit and every home.”
www.myhouserabbit.com
My House Rabbit is
dedicated to celebrating house rabbits and providing useful news and articles
that cover rabbit care, adoption, behavior, and general rabbit information.
Browse through this site for articles about proper diet, litter box training,
housing, nail clipping, spaying and neutering, and even the environmental
benefits of living with a bunny!
You can also check out the site’s
cute bunny photos and videos (and share your own). And don’t miss the bunny
blog and bunny lover gift shop.
www.oxbowanimalhealth.com
Oxbow Animal Health, one
of the largest suppliers of healthy diets for rabbits, small animals, and other
exotics, is a valued and respected resource for many rabbit owners. In response
to evolving beliefs regarding rabbit care (from livestock to companion, for
example), the company has changed and improved their products. The Web site
features a variety of fresh grass hays, quality pellets, and accessories, as
well as litters and beddings. Although the site doesn’t offer online ordering,
it connects users to local stores that carry Oxbow products; the site can also
connect users to veterinarians that recommend Oxbow products.
www.rabbit.org
The House Rabbit Society (HRS)
is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization devoted to the rescue of rabbits
and the education of the public on rabbit care. The HRS not only has chapters
all over the country and even the world, but it also has an impressive presence
on the Internet.
Tip
The House Rabbit Society home page is a veritable feast of information for rabbit lovers. You could literally spend hours browsing through all the information — housing, healthcare, behavior, and so on — provided on this wonderful site.
You can also get a list of all
the HRS chapters in the United States and how to contact the one nearest you.
And then there are the sections on kids and rabbits, links to other rabbit
sites, and a page of adorable bunny shots. Truth is, if you have a thing for
rabbits, you just might get lost in the HRS site and never come out. They have
veterinary referral lists as well.
www.rabbitnetwork.org
The House Rabbit Network offers
information on rabbit adoption, as well as a listing of veterinarians in the
northeastern United States. Hailing from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and
Connecticut, this excellent and complete Web site offers many solid educational
articles regarding rabbit health, from weight watching to eye care. You can
also make your own bunny e-card on this site, too.
www.rainbowsbridge.com
Although not exclusively a rabbit
Web site, the Rainbows Bridge is in this list because it’s an important
place on the Internet for rabbit owners — and pet owners of any kind.
Tip
The Rainbows Bridge is a site where grieving bunny owners can go to find solace and support as they try to cope with the loss of their pet. Plain and simple: If you lose your pet bunny, spend some time here. You’ll find it a healing place. When visiting the Rainbows Bridge, you can look at the names of deceased bunnies and read their owners’ sentiments or add your own. You can also participate in an online grief loss support group, chat, and even post your pet’s story or a poem in honor of your bunny on the site. For many rabbit owners, the Rainbows Bridge site is the only place they can go to be understood in their moment of grief. For that reason, this site is worth its weight in gold.
www.veterinarypartner.com
Veterinary Partners hosts
hundreds of articles and links to information on all species of animals. This
large library of rabbit information includes lots of information on diseases,
behavior, and more.
Connie Isbell and Audrey Pavia
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