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HEIDI BAUTISTA 8/24/21 HEIDI BAUTISTA 8/24/21

The Carrot Tribune - August 2021

In this issue...

Bunnies of the Month for August
Rabbit Chiropractic Care

BUNS is closed to the public due to Covid-19. We're looking forward to reopening the shelter, restarting Hoppy Hour, and holding Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig classes again. Until it's safe to do so, we are here for the rabbits and guinea pigs and for bunny and piggie parents.

Adoptions by appointment only. Contact 805 683-0521 or info@bunssb.org. Hay Sales are available on the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter Front Porch 24/7.

Bunnies of the Month

These two cuties form a beautiful pair of bonded bunny boys - each unique in personality and appearance. They love their run around time, and do appreciate pets and treats. All in all, they are a wonderful duo who would love to meet a great adopter. Rumple and Humpty would love to start their very own fairytale in a loving forever home!

Rabbit Chiropractic Care

How to Have a Happy, Healthy, Hopping Bunny!

By Dr. Sherry D. Gaber

I worked at a wildlife center for 5-1/2 yrs near Santa Fe, NM and I've given animal chiropractic care to many creatures — from a hummingbird, a porcupine, a black bear, and mountain lion cubs to a 1,400 pound pet buffalo named Charlie. So the first time a client came to me with her two white bunnies I was delighted to share my skills for better movement and increased health.

I asked the owner what her concerns were for her bunnies, Snowflake and BoPeep. Snowflake's rear legs weren't as strong as they used to be and she wasn't thumping any more. BoPeep had a head tilt and her balance wasn't great, and it wasn't due to an ear infection. The owner wanted answers to help both of them and asked if I thought I could help. My answer was "Yes” for both bunnies!!!

I understand the working connections of the nervous system from the rear legs to the brain, and that a misalignment of the skull or first neck bone (vertebrae) can prevent proper rear leg function at any age.

For now let's talk about rear leg weaknesses because it's one of the first symptoms of an upper neck misalignment. Simply stated: there are big nerves (communication fibers) that originate from the lower leg muscles which talk to the brain. The brain needs to hear from these fibers clearly in order to function efficiently. These communication wires travel up the spinal column (back bone) to a part of the brain that interprets how the legs are moving and communicates back to the rear legs to PUSH! But when there's an upper neck misalignment this communication is decreased and there's less PUSH-power in the rear legs. If the back legs can't PUSH well, then, to compensate the front legs have to pull more, which leads to a sore/tender back and shoulders.

As an upper cervical specialist I understood what Snowflake needed — a gentle correction of the first cervical vertebrae. And when I examined Snowflake’s neck I did feel that the first cervical vertebrae was out of its perfect placement, ultimately not allowing that special nerve fiber to work well, and for the rear legs to communicate to the brain.

For the treatment I gave Snowflake a gentle correction of the first neck vertebrae and immediately the owner and I saw Snowflake thump with her left rear leg and then with her right rear leg!!! When I examined the rest of Snowflake, her back was relaxed and I gently stretched out her front legs! It was all good!!!

I knew Snowflake would be bouncing around her house feeling fine in her body and letting her owner know where she was with that great rear leg THUMP! In addition, Snowflake now had less stress in her body. Without the stress of trying to move naturally her body can remain as youthful and mobile as possible. The owner was very happy to hear this and I was very happy to tell her that's just how the body wants to work.

In my next article we will talk about BoPeep's head tilt and the effects it has on body balance, coordination, indigestion and rear leg weakness. Stay tuned!

Dr. Sherry D. Gaber
Certified Animal Chiropractor
505-690-1107
www.sherrygaberdc.com

About BUNS (Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter)

BUNS is an independent non-profit corporation dedicated to the care and welfare of rabbits and guinea pigs. BUNS works to find bunnies and guinea pigs permanent homes, and educates the public on caring for their guinea pig and rabbit companion.

Your contribution can go a long way towards helping rabbits and guinea pigs in Santa Barbara. Donate today!

Donate to BUNS

HEIDI BAUTISTA 6/3/21 HEIDI BAUTISTA 6/3/21

The Carrot Tribune - May 2021

In this issue...

Guinea Pig of the Month
Luna Finds a Home with Suki
Moving with Rabbits?!

Guinea Pig of the Month

Petunia is a mature and composed lady piggy with wonderful manners and a calm disposition. She is very comfortable with humans, and really appreciates pets and cuddles. She is a wonderful Abyssinian breed girl with lovely coat and color. Petunia is looking for her forever home with a loving adopter and plenty of treats!

Luna Finds a Home with Suki

Editor's note: This story was contributed by BUNS volunteer Marlene

Luna Finds a Home with Suki

Editor's note: This story was contributed by BUNS volunteer Marlene

Suki, a beautiful, sweet, and smart Dutch rabbit, was adopted by me four years ago. BUNS had her malocclusion fixed so she had no front teeth, but she had a lot of brain power. In five minutes my daughter had clicker-trained her to sit up and spin in a circle. Now she can knock down tubes, jump through a hoop or over legs (all for a treat of course!). Everything seemed wonderful but she seemed a little lonely in spite of all our love and affection. Rabbits need other rabbits!!

Luna, a very curious and spirited Hotot/Lionhead mix, was brought into BUNS from the streets of Isla Vista. She had to be smart to survive that! And since Luna also had to have her front teeth removed they seemed a match made in bunny heaven.

Suki did not like her territory being invaded by another female rabbit. Over time and with a lot of bonding help from BUNS they have become the best of friends.

Moving with rabbits?!

Editor's note: this story was contributed by BUNS volunteer Dana

Moving house is stressful in general, but moving with rabbits adds another layer. When we were preparing to move cross-country (California to Massachusetts), our pets (4 rabbits, 1 cat, and 1 leopard gecko) were my biggest source of anxiety. After doing some research on it, I learned that moving is a huge reason why pets are surrendered at shelters. Sometimes owners’ new homes don’t accept pets, or the owners don’t think their pets will be able to handle it. We would never dream of leaving our pets behind if we had any say in the matter, but I was especially worried about the stress of the journey, as one of my bunnies is 12 years old! I can happily tell you now we did it, and I was very impressed with how well our pets handled it. They are all very happy now in our new home!

One of the first big decisions we had to make was whether to fly or drive. The benefit of flying was that it would be shorter travel time overall. But it would require two trips to get all the pets there (very limited airlines even allow rabbits in the cabin, and those that do don’t allow more than 2 rabbits per passenger), and we would have much less control over the situation if a problem occurred. Our vet asked what we would do if we got stranded in an airport overnight with the pets (in the middle of a pandemic, no less), a horrifying thought! Driving takes longer, but you have much more control over the situation. Most rabbits are also at least somewhat used to traveling in a car, but most have never been on a plane, so you don’t know how they will react to the pressure changes or new sounds. So, we decided driving was the right move. Whether you decide to drive or fly will likely depend on how far you are going, how many rabbits you have, and what your vet recommends!

Before our trip, all of the pets had a check-up with our vet, and she set us up with first-aid supplies we might need on the journey: Metacam, gabapentin (in case anyone got overly stressed), lactated ringers (subcutaneous fluids), and plenty of recovery food and syringes. We also had some oral fluids (lots of bunny owners use Pedialyte, and there are some bunny-specific products out there now), and simethicone. If you’ve never given subcutaneous fluids, your vet can show you how to do it. All of these things are good to have in your bunny first-aid kit anyway! We brought along lots of favorite hay from home, and a cooler so we could have fresh greens on hand (we bought some along the way as well).

We planned out our route to reduce the risks of hitting bad weather (we were driving in early March) and booked rooms at La Quinta Inns along the way. They are known to be pet friendly, and their room set-ups worked very well! Many had large tiled areas, so we could set up x-pens for the bunnies and not have to worry about the carpet.

The journey took 6 days, and we ended up driving 6-12 hours each day, including a longer break halfway through the day (usually around 45 min). In retrospect the 12 hour day was too long, but 8-9 hours was very manageable. Most of our days were around 8 hours. The buns were in carriers (1 pair per carrier) that had a layer of pine pellet bedding with hay on top. I had water crocks clipped to the doors with a little water in them. Some of the buns did drink a bit during the day and on breaks. During the breaks I offered the buns favorite wet greens, which usually they would nibble on eventually. We stopped a few times at supermarkets to get different types of herbs to entice them (parsley, kale, and carrot tops were usually the winners!). It usually took at least 20 minutes for them to calm down enough to eat. On a couple occasions I had to give a bunny some recovery food during the break, but thankfully with some banana mashed in she ate it willingly. It would have been a huge hassle to try to actually syringe feed her in the car, but I was prepared to do it if necessary! My main goal was to make sure the rabbits ate SOMETHING every 4-6 hours, even if just a few bites.

Each evening we would set the buns up in the motel, and give them their salad and lots of hay. Getting the luggage cart from the motel was essential, as we had tons of stuff (3 crates, two x-pens, a big tote of hay, litter boxes, etc.). Usually, they would start eating hay right away and would run around exploring and stretching their legs. The first night I used pee-pads, but found they seemed happier and ate more when they had their actual litter box filled with hay. They also seemed very happy to have their favorite chew toys. In the morning, we would sweep the room very well after loading everyone back into the car and take out the trash to the dumpster. We didn’t have any issues with the motels!

One bunny, Myra, did need some extra supportive care. After about the second day, she didn’t have a great appetite, so I ended up syringe feeding her, giving Metacam, and giving oral fluids morning and evening, basically for the rest of the trip. I also gave her and another bunny subcutaneous fluids on one evening after a very long day of driving (too long, in retrospect). Myra would always eat on the breaks in the car, so I think either she didn’t feel comfortable being in unfamiliar places, she was anticipating the driving, or the medicines helped her feel better. I think if our trip had been any longer, I would have taken a full day break at some point just to let everyone rest. Surprisingly, my 12 year-old bun handled it like a champ! He wouldn’t eat when the car was moving, but always ate on the breaks and behaved normally in the hotel.

Overall it went much better than I expected. Not to say I want to do it again anytime soon… but if you prepare properly it can be done without too much stress!

Nicholas Burlett 4/14/21 Nicholas Burlett 4/14/21

The Carrot Tribune - April 2021

In this issue...

Bunny of the Month
Knuckles Finds His Way Home
Cooperative Care

Bunny of the Month

Tiki is a calm and sweet chap with some wild Lionhead fur! His mixed breed good looks extend to a very soft and petable coat with snow white coloring, and beautiful pink/lavender eyes. This well rounded bunny is looking for a human who will give him a loving, forever home!

Knuckles Finds His Way Home

(a true story)

Knuckles was lost. He left his yard to visit that nice patch of clover. At the sudden barking of a dog Knuckles began to run. He ran until the barking stopped. He did not want to go back past the dog. He did not know how else to go home. Knuckles was lost.

A nice voice called to him and a gentle hand reached down to pet his head. Knuckles looked up. “Will you take me home?” The lady picked him up and walked to a home.

“This is not my home!” Knuckles began to wiggle.

“Just hop inside the cat carrier,” she popped him in and closed the door. Then she put him in a car and drove off in the wrong direction. When the car stopped, the woman carried him into a building that smelled of dogs.

“This is not my home!” Knuckles hopped to the back of the carrier to hide. Hands reached inside and began to pull him out.

“Cute bunny. Let’s see if he’s micro chipped.” A flat plastic thing rubbed up and down his back and began to beep.

“This is definitely not my home! That is no way to treat a bunny,” he thought as he was stuffed back into the carrier.

“Well, he’s micro chipped. Leave him in the carrier while I call his home.”

Soon Knuckles heard the happy voices of his family who took the carrier to their car. When the car stopped, Knuckles looked out the window.

“THIS IS MY HOME!” And though no one could see it inside the carrier, he gave a little binkie.

Knuckles found his way home because his family had him micro chipped. No bigger than a grain of rice, the microchip connects Knuckles to information about his family, address and phone.

Sadly, since 1992 no more than 10 stray bunnies out of 2,900 found their way home from the shelter. None of them were microchipped. A micro chip makes all the difference. After Hurricane Katrina, the pets that were micro chipped found their owners. Micro Chipping your pet is part of emergency preparations. Do it today. Your vet can microchip your rabbit. Or, you can contact BUNS for a microchip appointment. Call 805 683-0521 or email info@bunssb.org.

Cooperative Care

By Jean Silva

“Give her 1.5 cc’s by mouth twice a day.” the Vet Tech said handing me a bottle of medicine, a syringe and Fang’s carrier.

“How am I supposed to do that?” I thought as I smiled and nodded.

Once home, I checked the internet and found all sorts of helpful suggestions:

Wrap your pet in a towel like a burrito. No good. It took both hands to keep Fang wrapped in a towel.

Have someone hold the bunny for you. My husband held Fang. Fang tried had to bite my hand whenever it came close to her mouth. The burrito had been a big mistake.

Finally, I squeezed drops of medicine onto a mini shredded wheat until it soaked in. Fang, ate it right up. Problem solved – sort of.

In those days I gave medicine to the sick animals at BUNS. I tried many things. Pry the mouth open and shove the pill down the rabbit’s throat with a finger. Ouch. It worked for the vet. Use a Pet Pillar instead of your finger to place the pill in the back of the mouth. The pet spit the pill out. I held the mouth closed until the pet swallowed. If looks could kill. Mash the pill with banana and serve it on a tiny china plate. If the pet refused to eat it, draw the mixture up in a syringe. Hold the bunny and squirt it into the mouth. Small wonder the everyone began to back away whenever I came near.

Then I began to see zoo animals that voluntarily came forward and stood still for an injection. I bet they never even tried to wrap the hippopotamus in a blanket like a burrito. Hmmm. My friend Peggy Hogan trained her horses to voluntarily participate in dental exams, eye treatments and wound care. People were calling it Cooperative Care. Wow! Did I really need to pick up, immobilize and pry open an animals mouth to give it medicine. What if I just offered the meds to the bunnies?

I started with a honey flavored liquid anti-inflammatory (Meloxicam, also known as Metacam) that most bunnies seemed to like. I’d draw up the medication in an oral syringe and make a small “bead” of the stuff on the tip of the syringe. Then I would put the tip of the syringe right under the bunny’s nose near the mouth and gently move it back and forth until I felt the bunny take the syringe into its mouth. As I felt the bunny lightly chew or move its lips on the syringe I would slowly depress the plunger. If the bunny stopped so would I. When they began again, so would I. Some of the bunnies began run toward me as I approached with the syringe. That’s a good sign.

When Clyde was prescribed SMZ-TMP I picked him up, held him still, lifted his lip and gave him the medicine. He hated it. He would run away when I approached. That’s a bad sign. Well, I thought why not? I loaded the oral syringe and tapped it on the enclosure wire to make noise. Clyde came over, sniffed the syringe and drank the whole thing. The medicine was fine. Clyde just hated being caught and immobilized.

I offered the syringe when Bindi was prescribed SMZ-TMP. She was happy to drink the medication from an oral syringe. Bindi lives with her mom, Ponta. When Ponta saw Bindi happily drinking her medication, Ponta wanted some too. I started giving Ponta a rabbit pellet for each dose of medication Binda drank. One night as we sat on the couch, my husband asked, “Why are Ponta and Bindi standing there?” I looked at the bunnies who were liked up at the edge of their enclosure.

“They are waiting for their medicine.” I said, all cool. WOW! Not only were they voluntarily taking medicine, they asked for it.

Next I tried Juniper the guinea pig. She was new to the shelter. But she took treats from my hand. So why not medicine. Juniper swallowed the SMZ-TMP and tried to pull the syringe out of my hand.

When the Vet Tech hands you an oral medication, consider just offering it to your pet. You might be as surprised as I was. If your patient has a companion, please bring something for that bunny as well. Bunnies and guinea pigs are more comfortable in groups and no one wants to miss out on treats. Engaging both animals gets good momentum going.

It helps if your bunny or guinea pig is used to taking food from your hand. So long before your bunny or guinea pig gets sick, offer some parsley, cilantro or food pellets from your hand. Do that regularly.

If they don’t take medicine voluntarily, try changing the delivery method. I have had good success squirting SMZ-TMP onto spoon sized shredded wheat for example. Rabbits will eat the SMZ-TMP laced biscuit even if they declined straight SMZ-TMP. Mixing a medication with banana can work too. Tossing it as dressing on a salad is another possibility.

If none of those things work, then it may be time to get out the towel and try a bunny burrito. But try something else first. Your bunnies would appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Peggy Hogan can be found on www.clickertraininghorses.com

HEIDI BAUTISTA 3/23/21 HEIDI BAUTISTA 3/23/21

The Carrot Tribune - December 2020

In this issue...

Our New Look
Bunny and Guinea Pig of the Month
Our Wish List
Year in Review

Please note, we're still closed to public due to Covid-19. We're looking forward to reopening the shelter, restarting Hoppy Hour, and holding Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig classes again. Until it's safe to do so, we are here for the rabbits and guinea pigs and for bunny and piggie parents.

Our RedesignedWebsite

Our website has a fresh coat of paint! Hope you like it!

Guinea Pig of the Month

Goku is a super hero!
This handsome piggy boy is a calm and sweet boy with beautiful coat colors. He is an amiable chap who is happy to sit for pets, and is a curious, active boy, too.

Goku would love to find his forever home and share lots of love with some lucky adopter.

Meet our Bunny of the Month over at bunssb.org/bunny-of-the-month!

Our Wish List

There are few things we can call normal this year, including our holiday season, but one thing that remains the same is the good feeling we get from sharing gifts and giving to those in need. If it would brighten your holidays and warm your fuzzy heart to give a gift to the rabbits and guinea pigs at BUNS while they wait to be adopted, here are some ideas for what would make the furries happy and the volunteers who care for them...

Palm plates (for healthy, safe chewing delight)
Whisk brooms
Oxbow treats
Oxbow supplements: Digestive support and Joint Support
Pet safe pine cones
Willow wreaths
Willow balls and baskets, tents and tunnels
Pet safe, natural material chew toys
Colored laundry baskets (to use as hidey places in the exercise pens)
Good pellets for bunnies and guinea pigs can be ordered from BUNS' Amazon Wish List

Binkybunny.com and Bunnybytes.com are great resources for toys, treats and more

Year in Review

2020 has been a challenging year for BUNS and we are thankful that it is almost over. The Covid 19 shutdown changed both our volunteer and our adoption programs. Hoppy Hour, Pignic, Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig were put on hold and grooming came to an end. Hay sales moved to the front porch of the shelter. Vets put non-essential care like spay neuter surgeries on hold. Then Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) began its march toward Santa Barbara County. We quarantined incoming rabbits, began the process to import the RHDV2 vaccine from Europe and focused rabbit adoptions on indoor homes which are safer than outdoor homes.

But, through it all we adopted rabbits and guinea pigs. Through November, 161 rabbits and guinea pigs found their forever homes. All adoptions make us happy, but here is one story that was special. Sugar came to the shelter in August of 2019, a lovely white Mini Rex with red eyes. She was born and lived in a backyard with her sister. When the girls became teen-aged they started to fight. The family kept her sister and brought Sugar to BUNS. She must have wondered why. Like many rabbits with red eyes, Sugar was overlooked by all the families that came to the shelter. Red eyes are just too strange. Manny months and many families passed by Sugar. Covid 19 came, the shelter closed to visitors and finally a year passed. Sugar was still at BUNS. At last, a family that had fostered rabbits, decided they wanted one of their own. Sugar caught their eye. She was just right for them. Sugar became a house bunny with a loving family and a room of her own. Sugar proves there is a home for every bunny and Guinea Pig.

They may leave BUNS, but they will always be BUNS bunnies and piggies. We watched RHDV2 cross the South West and enter California, worrying about our shelter rabbits and all the BUNS bunnies living in their new homes. We partnered with Dr. Haskell to import 1,000 doses of RHDV2 vaccine. We sent 150 doses to the Bunny Brigade in Ventura County. We sent vaccine to our County shelters in North County. We vaccinated the bunnies at BUNS. Then we reached out by Face Book and e-mail to rabbit families. Doctors Sostrin and Welton volunteered their time at vaccine clinics. The Elks Lodge #613 in Goleta gave us their parking lot for two clinics. We held other clinics at the BUNS shelter. So far we have vaccinated over 500 rabbits. We will do more. We have asked the County for help in finding a vet to staff a clinic in North County. In 2021 we will continue our South County Clinics as well.

Covid infections are surging again and the lives of people are disrupted by job loss and illness. But BUNS is still here. We are caring for rabbits and guinea pigs. We offer a safe place for pets of families that must move or who are just over-whelmed by all the challenges. We will find new homes. We will vaccinate rabbits. We look forward to a new year when for people will make everyone safer. We will be so happy to join you at Hoppy Hours and Pignics. We know those nails need trimming. Together we will get there. As always your help and support makes everything we possible.

As the year ends, so many groups are asking for help, but may we offer a paw? Your gift will shelter, feed and rehome homeless rabbits and guinea pigs. Your gift will vaccinate rabbits and give vet care to rabbits and guinea pigs. We cannot fix the world, but we can make it just a little better. Will you join the effort by clicking here: http://www.bunssb.org/donations/ Thank you.

About Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter

Your contribution can go a long way towards helping rabbits and guinea pigs in Santa Barbara.

Donate to BUNS

Nicholas Burlett 3/23/21 Nicholas Burlett 3/23/21

The Carrot Tribune - November 2020

In this issue...

Guinea Pig and Rabbit Costumes!
Bunny and Guinea Pig of the Month
Myxomatosis in 2020

In this issue...

Guinea Pig and Rabbit Costumes!
Bunny and Guinea Pig of the Month
Myxomatosis in 2020

Costumes!

Mermocha always allows us to dress him up for all occasions. Piggies are so sweet and fun!

Bunny of the Month

Bumblebee is a sweet, cuddly girl with lovely blue eyes. She is an adorable Lop with a soft and lovely coat, and is very happy to have some petting and grooming time to keep her looking her best! It’s easy to fall in love with this wonderful bunny, and Bumblebee is ready to make some lucky adopter very happy!

Meet our Guinea Pig of the Month over at bunssb.org/bunny-of-the-month

Myxomatosis in 2020

By Jean Silva

With all the precautions for Covid-19 and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) its easy to forgo those for Myxomatosis. Don’t. Myxomatosis will kill your rabbit. There is no treatment. Prevention is the only answer.

Symptoms

A rabbit infected with the Myxoma virus may experience high temperatures, discharge from the eyes and nose, swelling at the base of the ears, eyelids, muzzle, and genitals. Red rimmed eyes, when they occur, are easy to see. Rabbits will be less active and their appetite may decrease. In some rabbits, death occurs before signs of the disease are readily noticed. In other rabbits, the appearance of the disease becomes marked. Eye lids will droop and appear half closed. Swelling will cause the ears to droop to the side. The rabbit will be slow to rouse as if in a stupor.

No Treatments Available for Myxomatosis

Sadly, there are no treatments available for myxomatosis. Antibiotics are ineffective. There are no viral suppression drugs for myxomatosis. The survival rate approaches zero. Euthanasia is the kindest course of action.

While the myxoma virus is deadly for rabbits, it does not affect other mammals. People, dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, ferrets, and other pets are not at risk.

The Virus and Wild Rabbits

The myxoma virus lives in the wild rabbit population (Sylvilagus bachmani). Unlike pet rabbits, the brush rabbit has developed resistance to the myxoma virus. Infected brush rabbits are the reservoir in which the virus survives. The virus relies on mechanical transmission to spread from rabbit to rabbit. Mosquitoes are the most effective vector. A mosquito inserts his proboscis into an infected rabbit and collects virus on the proboscis. That mosquito will insert the virus into his next victims. It is estimated that a mosquito can transmit virus to up to 5 subsequent victims. Fleas, ticks, flies and other biting insects can also transmit the virus.

Tracking Rabbit Deaths

No government agency tracks wild or domestic rabbit deaths due to Myxomatosis. Because RHDV2 is an invasive disease, State and Federal agencies are testing and tracking its spread. All of the dead wild rabbits collected this year (2020) in Ventura County and tested for viruses by the USDA were found to have died of Myxomatosis. A reminder that Myxomatosis is always with us.

Mosquitos

We do not know which mosquitos are the most likely to transmit the virus in Santa Barbara County. There are fifteen species and four genera (Aedes, Anopheles, Culex and Culista) of mosquitos in our County. All of them can transmit the virus. Each species of mosquito has a its own preferences for feeding and breeding. Some mosquitos can travel over a mile and as much as five miles from their birth place.

The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County (http://www.mvmdistrict.com) is the best source of information about mosquitoes near you.

The district has trapped every species of mosquitoes in Santa Barbara County at Lake Los Caneros. But, mosquitos can also breed in your back yard. Anything that will hold water more than a few days can breed mosquitos: ponds, pools, gutters, drains, bird baths, boats, wheel barrows and leaky watering equipment. Wet lands and tree holes can also be breeding areas. If you have a pond or other standing water the district provides mosquito fish free of charge.

Myxomatosis Risk

Rabbit owners in Southern California should assume that their pet rabbits are at risk of myxomatosis. But how to measure the risk? If you are near a population of wild rabbits and you are near a source of still water, your risk is higher. Even then a mosquito or other bug must bite a sick rabbit and then bite your bunny. Until that happens your bunny won’t get myxomatosis. Even if you think the risk is small, the outcome is so dire that you should consider prevention.

Living Conditions for Your Pet Rabbit

The safest place for your rabbit to live and exercise is in your house with screen doors and screened windows. If your rabbit lives in an outdoor hutch, then staple mosquito screening over wire sides and doors. If your hutch has a wire floor and an under tray, consider how to screen the gaps between the tray and the sides of the hutch. A solid floor of plywood, linoleum, or tile also works. Keeping your rabbit in a garage or closed out building at night is another option. Regularly check your screens and repair any tears.

If your bunny plays or lives outdoors, make your yard mosquito free. Look for and drain all collections of standing water. The Mosquito and Vector Management District has a pamphlet on its web site, showing where water can collect around your home.

Limit the times of day your bunny is allowed to play in the yard. Put your bunny out in mid morning and bring it inside in the late afternoon. Most Culex and Anopheles mosquitoes feed at night. Aedes feed during the day and in the early evening.

Controlling Mosquitos (and Fleas)

There are commercial mosquito traps available. These traps use CO2 and or light to attract mosquitoes. Prices for these traps range from $100 to $899. Placement of the trap is critical to its effectiveness. To be effective, the trap should be placed upwind between a mosquito breeding area and your rabbits. If placed too close to your rabbits, mosquitos attracted by the trap, may target your rabbits visually or thermally. According to Consumer Reports tests from 2003, the most effective CO2 traps left 25% of the mosquitoes after 20 hours in a closed room. So traps are not a complete solution.

Consider using flea control and mosquito repellants. If you have a dog or a cat with access to the outdoors regular flea treatments are advised. Vectra 3D, for dogs provides flea control and repels 80% of Aedes and Culex mosquitoes: two of the four genera of mosquitoes in our county. Vectra 3D is approved for use with dogs but not with rabbits. I use it under the direction of my veterinarian. If you wish to use it with your rabbit, first check with your vet.

My Rabbit is Sick. What Should I Do?

If a rabbit, especially one in a multiple rabbit household, contracts myxomatosis you must isolate it immediately. If you are not treating your rabbits for fleas, you should treat all your rabbits as quickly as you can. If you cannot isolate the sick rabbit at home, take it to your vet. You will need to euthanize a rabbit with myxomatosis, so you must decide when to do so. Consider the threat to remaining rabbits, both in your household and in the neighborhood. Consider the degree of suffering your rabbit is experiencing. Decide how best to say good bye to your friend.

I know how difficult and painful loss can be. So take time to be your rabbit’s friend while he is healthy. Give him a good quality of life and take as many precautions against myxomatosis as you can manage.

About Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter

Your contribution can go a long way towards helping rabbits and guinea pigs in Santa Barbara County.

Donate to BUNS

HEIDI BAUTISTA 1/11/21 HEIDI BAUTISTA 1/11/21

Is Now the Time for a New Friend? - The Carrot Tribune - January 2021

In this issue...

Is Now the Time for a New Friend?
Bunny and Guinea Pig of the Month
Help! I Found a Wild Bunny!

In this issue…

Is Now the Time for a New Friend?
Bunny and Guinea Pig of the Month
Help I Found a Wild Bunny!
Happy 2021

Is Now the Time for a New Friend?

Have you been considering finding a friend for your rabbit? BUNS is ready to help.

We provide free, low-contact services that allow your rabbit to meet (aka "date") rabbits at the shelter. Call us today to discuss the possibilities.
Contact us at (805) 683-0521 or info@bunssb.org.

The House Rabbit Society has a great article about the benefits of bonded rabbits. Read it at: https://rabbit.org/better-with-two/

Bunny of the Month

Mrs. Mellow is mellow at times, but this shy little fluff ball can be lively, too! When she is on the move, she is a joy to watch, with her adorable semi lop ears working overtime, as they go every which way! She is a beautiful bunny with a soft coat and a nice mix of Lop and Lionhead, helping to give her such a striking appearance.

Mrs. Mellow is hoping to start the new year off right with a loving forever home!

Meet our Guinea Pig of the Month!

Help! I found a wild bunny!

Wild bunnies may look like they need our help but often do not. Before you rush to the rescue, consider that you may be “kidnapping” with the best of intentions.

Young bunnies begin to leave the nest at 2-3 weeks when they are 4”-5” long. They start nibbling natural foods as they explore. By 3-4 weeks of age, when they are 5”-7” long, they are weaned. By 5 weeks of age they are independent. Instinctually, rabbits freeze in place once they detect a predator (you). Unless you can see an injury or see that the bunny doesn’t move as it should, it is probably fine.

If your cat or dog brings you a bunny, it probably needs rescue. Bunnies will fight to avoid capture using claws, leaps and darting changes of direction. The struggle may cause tiny skin punctures, crushing injuries or nerve damage. The bunny may be exhausted and terrified. (Photo, Baby Wild Bunny)

If you find a nest with babies leave them alone. Their nest is shallow, fur and grass lined depression in the earth or sometimes pots and planters. Grass and leaves may cover the nest. Wild bunnies do not burrow like domestic bunnies.

In order not to draw predators, wild mothers don’t spend time at the nest. The mother visits the nest twice a day, often at dawn and dusk. She nurses quickly, grooms the babies and leaves. The babies do not need their mother to keep themselves warm.

Re-cover the nest with grass and leaves. Leave a tic-tac-toe pattern of light twigs or string on top. The mother will still feed the babies if she smells our scent. The next day you can tell if the pattern was disturbed by the mother. If the pattern is undisturbed for 12-24 hours, the babies need rescue.

Remember “Warm, Dark and Quiet” if a bunny or wild critter needs rescue. Line a box with soft, warm materials, add the bunny and a secure lid. Place in the quietest part of the house. No peeking by friends or family. Don’t give food or water. The bunny might inhale the water which adds stress.

Please contact a licensed rehabilitation organization right away. The bunny will be cared for and nurtured until it can be returned to the wild.

Happy New Year!

YAY! 2021 is here!

The bunnies are safe with the RHD vaccine available through BUNS!

BUNS 10/2/20 BUNS 10/2/20

Double your BUN – The Carrot Tribune – October 2020

In this issue...

Bunny of the Month
Double your BUN
October 18 Vaccine Clinic
Photos from Last Weekend's RHDv2 Vaccine Clinic

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

Bunny of the Month
Double your BUN
October 18 Vaccine Clinic
Photos from Last Weekend's RHDv2 Vaccine Clinic

Bunny of the Month

Christina is one cute little bunny! She is an adorable Lionhead breed with such a lovely coat and color. She is a lively and curious girl, and really likes her time exploring in her exercise pen. She doesn’t mind being held either, and appreciates pets and cuddles. Christina is looking forward to finding her forever home and forever human!

Learn who our Guinea Pig of the Month is by visiting bunssb.org!

Double your BUN

The touch of a friend. The pleasure of a kiss. A contented evening spent with family. Like you, your bunny would love to have a bunny friend. My bunnies groom each other, nap side by side and have bunny races. They are so cute! Finding a companion for my bunny has made us both happy.

Your bunny’s new best friend could be waiting at BUNS. And BUNS will help you find that friend. We will introduce you and your bunny to new bunnies. When you find that special friend, we will be there to help. A skilled bunny bonder will help make the bond from start to finish. Of course, between Covid19 and RHDv2, dating has changed. To get ready to date your bunny, here is what to do:

First, vaccinate your rabbit for RHDv2. Your rabbit’s vaccination certificate is his/her ticket to true love! (See info on signing up later in this newsletter...)

Second, schedule an introduction by contacting: info@bunssb.org or talking to your BUNS adoption counselor.

Curious about bonding? Contact info@bunssb.org. Or read this article from the Georgia House Rabbit Society: https://www.houserabbitga.com/bonding-rabbits

Vaccine Clinic Signups

Our next RHDv2 vaccine clinic is October 18. To sign up for the October 18 clinic click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rhdv2-vaccination-clinics-tickets-122149724113

If October 18 does not work for you sign up to be notified of future clinics here: https://forms.gle/UuU9FMYTa7QQuUU49

Last Weekend's Vaccine Clinic

Our RHDV2 Vaccine clinic number 3 is a wrap, with over 75 rabbits vaccinated! Huge thank you to Dr. Anne Sostrin and our medical team for volunteering their time to save rabbit lives!

BUNS 9/2/20 BUNS 9/2/20

The Carrot Tribune – September 2020

In this issue...

Bunny of the Month
The Superpower of BUNS: Love in Action!
Vaccine Clinic #2

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

Bunny of the Month
The Superpower of BUNS: Love in Action!
Vaccine Clinic #2

Bunny of the Month

Our Bunny of the month, Sven, was just ADOPTED! He is such a handsome boy! He is an active and curious young bunny, and has a sweet personality to boot! He really enjoys his time exercising, and will stop and check in with you, especially if treats are involved! Sven has a beautiful coat just made for petting, and he is hoping to find a loving adopter who will do just that!

Learn who our Guinea Pig of the Month is by visiting our website... click "Read More" below!

The Superpower of BUNS: Love in Action!

In late April, the President of BUNS, Kimmy Swann, received notice from the Santa Maria shelter that a badly injured male rabbit had been brought in as a stray. Kimmy immediately arranged for a member of the Board of Directors from BUNS to transport him to Santa Barbara. The rabbit had what appeared to be a cigarette burn on his forehead and he also had multiple wounds over his entire body (see before & after image below).

It took months of veterinary care including warm compresses, wound flushing, antibiotics, injections, baths, and pain medications to heal the damage to his body. When he was ready to leave the veterinary hospital, Kimmy (also a veterinary technician) continued his round the clock care. He trusted her and responded to the outpouring of love by being a cooperative patient.

A volunteer with BUNS was eager to adopt this transformed bunny and gave him the name Shiloh, which means “peace”. He’s now getting the young bunnyhood he missed.

The mission statement of Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter is not an easy task to carry out. What’s the superpower? The love of the volunteers and Board of Directors shows in their actions throughout fires, floods, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2), Covid-19 precautions, and more.

Our Mission

To provide shelter and care to rabbits in need;
To promote the spaying and neutering of rabbits;
To promote the education of humane care, welfare & behavior of rabbits.
To provide humane care to other small animals at the shelter

And to do all of the above every day from the heart! ❤️

Vaccine Clinic #2

BUNS's second vaccline clinic was on Septmber 6th. A huge thank you to Dr. Sostrin, Esther, Elks Lodge, Kimmy, Kendra, Jean, Heidi, Sam, Phil, Russ, Forrest and Rudi for all the dedication and barely surviving the heat! They saved over 50 bunnies from RHDV2!

Our next clinic is not yet scheduled. If you'd like to be notified of clinc updates, please visit our RHD page on bunssb.org and fill out our online form: (http://www.bunssb.org/bunnies/rhd/).

BUNS 8/2/20 BUNS 8/2/20

RHD Vaccine Clinic Update – The Carrot Tribune – August 2020

In this issue...

RHDV2 Update
How old is my Guinea Pig?
Bunnies of the Month
Viva La Fiesta!

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

RHDV2 Update
How old is my Guinea Pig?
Bunnies of the Month
Viva La Fiesta!

RHDV2 Prevention

While the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) has not been detected in Santa Barbara County yet, it is important for all rabbit owners to take precautions to protect their rabbits.

Even if there are no wild rabbits in your area, the virus can be transmitted by flying insects, scavenging animals (birds, etc.), and tracked in on shoes. For these reasons, it is important to bring rabbits inside, prevent insects from entering your home, and remove shoes before you enter the house.

Another source of the virus is contaminated feed. Infection risk from dry feed such as hay is low (and hay is typically aged before it is sold), but you should consider the source of the greens that you use to make your bunnies’ salads. The virus would be very hard to remove from contaminated veggies through washing, so BUNS has stopped sourcing any greens from south or east of Santa Barbara. We recommend you check the source of your veggies and do the same. If the virus is confirmed further north (it is currently confirmed in San Clemente), we will adjust our source again. We have also stopped foraging for wild plants due to the potential interactions with wild rabbits. Many rabbit owners outside of California are afraid to feed their bunnies any veggies from our state, so we are thankful to have the ability to know the source of our veggies and avoid the outbreak areas.

The most important action you can take to protect your rabbits is to vaccinate them. We are excited to announce that we have placed the order for the vaccine (ERAVAC), and it should arrive in approximately 4 weeks. Please see our past newsletter post for more information and to sign up for the vaccine clinic (http://www.bunssb.org/bunnies/rhd/).

How old is my Guinea Pig?

At BUNS people always ask the age of adoptable guinea pigs. (We almost never know when our shelter guinea pigs were born. Unless, they were born at the shelter.) But we make a good guess and hope for the best.

Then we found this helpful guide posted on the Small Pet Select web site. https://smallpetselect.com/how-old-is-my-guinea-pig/

This article will help you estimate your guinea pig’s age. But it will also give you an idea of health issues to look for as your piggie ages.

Bunnies of the Month

Brock and Hedwig are such super bunny brothers and really lots of fun! They are active youngsters who do enjoy their exercise time, and can definitely settle down for a grooming session – a good thing, as these beautiful Angora breed boys deserve a nice brushing to keep their amazing coats looking great! They are part of a large litter of siblings who are all stunning in their own way, and like them, these bonded brothers truly deserve a wonderful forever home!

Visit bunssb.org to learn who our Guinea Pig of the Month is!

Viva La Fiesta!

BUNS 7/2/20 BUNS 7/2/20

Vaccine Clinic for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus – The Carrot Tribune – July 2020

In this issue...

Vaccine Clinic for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2)
Guinea Pig of the Month

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

Vaccine Clinic for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2)
Guinea Pig of the Month

RHDV2 Vaccine Clinic

Note: information on Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease is constantly changing. Please visit our website for the latest information: http://www.bunssb.org/bunnies/rhd/

We are very relieved to announce that we have received approval to import the Eravac vaccine from Europe, with help from our local veterinarians. We expect to receive our shipment of the vaccine later this month.

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease is a highly contagious and deadly disease of rabbits caused by the RHD virus (RHDV and RHDV2). This disease is very often fatal and there are no treatments for it. The best way to protect your rabbit is to vaccinate. See our “RHD Background” section below for more information on this virus.

BUNS will be conducting vaccination clinics with the assistance of several local veterinarians. If you are interested in the vaccine clinic, please fill out or online form (link below). We anticipate the cost of the vaccine to be approximately $30 per dose, but this is subject to change.

If your rabbits are current patients of Adobe Pet Hospital (Dr. Haskell) or VCA Noah’s Ark (Dr. Sostrin), please contact them first and let them know you would like to get your rabbits vaccinated.

If you have a different vet, or are directed to the clinic by Dr. Haskell or Dr. Sostrin, please fill out our online form and we will contact you with information on the clinic as it becomes available.

Direct link to the clinic signup form: https://forms.gle/UuU9FMYTa7QQuUU49

The Eravac vaccine has been used in Europe for many years and is very safe. It is routinely used on elderly rabbits as well as those with underlying medical conditions. It needs to be given once per year for full protection. Vaccination is expected to be effective for most rabbits. It may not prevent the disease in 100% of rabbits, but if vaccinated, it helps rabbits survive if they have been exposed to the RHDV2 virus.

BUNS is paying for the up-front cost of importing this vaccine in order to help our rabbit community. We understand that many are struggling financially during this challenging time. If you are able, please make a donation to BUNS to help defer the cost of importing this necessary vaccine and to help BUNS care for rabbits and guinea pigs in our community.

RHD Background:

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease is a highly contagious and deadly disease of rabbits caused by the RHD virus (RHDV and RHDV2). The RHDV2 strain of the virus has been spreading through the Southwest and has finally reached California. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed that Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) was found in a dead rabbits in the Palm Springs, (Riverside County), Yucca Valley (San Bernardino County), Poway (San Diego County), and most recently San Clemente (Orange County). Because it is in the wild rabbit population, we can assume that RHDV2 will become common in California, and will reach the Santa Barbara region relatively soon. Currently RHDV2 has not been confirmed within a 150 mile radius of Santa Barbara, but it epidemic is moving our direction.

BUNS has already modified our operations to reduce the chance of spreading the virus. We recommend that you consider modifying your routines to help reduce the chance of RHD infecting rabbits under your care.

RHD only infects rabbits and other members of the lagomorph family. You, your family and other pets will not get this disease. However, you can spread it inadvertently, so awareness is key.

RHD is highly contagious and resistant to environmental conditions. It spreads through rabbit contact with a diseased rabbit’s fur, feces, urine, bedding, or direct contact. It also spreads via feces from other animals (scavenging predators, including birds) or insects that have had contact with a diseased rabbit, or contact with a contaminated surface or food. The virus can survive for at least 3 months in the carcass of a dead rabbit or dried on cloth. On other surfaces the virus may survive from 1 to 2 weeks, depending on conditions. It is resistant to both high temperatures (it can survive 1 hour at 122° F) and freezing.

Rabbits housed outdoors are at the highest risk. Even if there are no wild rabbits in your area, insects (especially flies) are able to transmit the virus. A single fly speck can contain enough virus to infect a rabbit.

There is no treatment for this virus and mortality rates are very high, so prevention is crucial.

Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, bleeding, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, jaundice, seizures, and sudden death. Most rabbits die within hours to days after exposure, while asymptomatic carriers can shed virus for over a month. The virus impairs the blood’s ability to clot, and death is most often caused by liver failure, or internal or external bleeding.

The best way to prevent this disease is to vaccinate your rabbit. Please refer to the first section for information on getting your rabbits vaccinated. It may not prevent the disease in 100% of rabbits, but if vaccinated, it helps rabbits survive is they have been exposed to RHDV2. Biosecurity measures should still be taken to protect vaccinated rabbits.

RHDV2 may reach Santa Barbara before all rabbits can be vaccinated, or before full protection is provided by the vaccine. We must also consider the health of our wild rabbit populations. Here are additional things you can do to reduce the risk to your rabbit and help slow the spread of this disease in our wild and domestic rabbits:

If you find a sick or dead rabbit do not handle or move it. Call CDFW Wildlife Investigations Lab (916) 358-2790 to report dead wild rabbits, or Santa Barbara Wildlife Care network: (805) 681-1080, and tell them you suspect RHD.
Housing your rabbit indoors is the single most important step you can take to protect your rabbit from this disease. If you cannot do that, then screen outdoor hutches to keep flies and other insects away from your rabbit. Exercise your rabbit indoors. If you cannot do that limit outdoor time and use fly prevention.
Remove your shoes when entering your home, and wash your hands before and after handling your rabbit.
Ask your vet about external parasite control. Vectra3D protects against flies and mosquitos and can be dosed correctly by your vet. Never use Frontline on rabbits.
Avoid contact with other rabbits. Until further notice or until the vaccine is available, BUNS will not do rabbit introductions, grooming or Hoppy Hours. If you have friends with rabbits, or visit an area with wild rabbits, change your clothes and shoes after visiting their homes. Wash your clothes in hot water and dry on high. Let your shoes sit for several days to 2 weeks in areas away from your rabbit.
If you have a dog or a cat, avoid situations where they may come into contact with a wild bunny or dead wild rabbit; leashes outdoors are recommended. You may want to wash your dogs paws when they enter the house.
Stop foraging for wild greens and know the source of your feed. The rates of infection through food are not known, but contaminated feed has been suspected in cases where rabbits housed indoors in urban environments got sick. Greens grown in an outbreak area should not be fed.

Here are some resources for additional information:

Detailed info from the House Rabbit Society: https://rabbit.org/rhdv/
Two-page handout you can print and share: https://rabbit.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/hrs_rhdv_v5.pdf
CA Dept of Food and Agriculture: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/pdfs/RabbitHemorrhagicDisease.pdf

Guinea Pig of the Month

Stripe is an aptly named piggy, as he has a nice black stripe down his side which is part of his beautifully colored coat. This handsome boy is a lively and sometimes shy youngster who came into the shelter with several of his siblings, and is hoping to find a forever home all his own!

Visit bunssb.org to learn who our Bunny of the Month is!

BUNS 6/2/20 BUNS 6/2/20

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease found in California – The Carrot Tribune - May 2020

In This Issue...

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2)
Guinea Pig of the Month
#BunniesOfInstagram

The Carrot Tribune

In This Issue...

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2)
Guinea Pig of the Month
#BunniesOfInstagram

RABBIT HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) was found in a dead rabbit in the Palm Springs area. The RHDV2 virus has been spreading through the Southwest and has finally reached California. Because it is in the wild rabbit population, we can assume that RHDV2 will become common in California. We do not know if RHDV2 has reached Santa Barbara County. However, BUNS will begin changes in our operations at this time. We recommend that you consider any changes you may need to make in light of RHDV2 .

RHDV2 only infects rabbits and other members of the lagomorph family. You, your family and other pets will not get this disease, but you can spread it inadvertently, so awareness is key.

RHDV2 is highly contagious and resistant to environmental conditions. It spreads through rabbit contact with a diseased rabbit’s fur, feces, urine, bedding, or direct contact. It also spreads via feces from other animals (scavenging predators, including birds) or insects that have had contact with a diseased rabbit, or contact with a contaminated surface or food. The virus can survive for at least 3 months in the carcass of a dead rabbit or dried on cloth. On other surfaces the virus may survive from 1 to 2 weeks, depending on conditions. It is resistant to high temperatures (it can survive 1 hour at 122o F) and to freezing.

Rabbits housed outdoors are at the highest risk. Even if no wild rabbits are in your area, insects (especially flies) are able to transmit the virus. A single fly speck can contain enough virus to infect a rabbit. There is no treatment for this virus and mortality rates are very high, so prevention is crucial.

There are vaccines in England and Europe for RHDV2. While the vaccines are not available in the US, they can be imported by veterinarians with the approval of the USDA and the State of California. BUNS is working with local vets to import vaccine. Please contact your vet to discuss this as well.

The good news is that the precautions that reduce the chance of myxomatosis will also reduce the chance of RHDV2. Here are things you can do to reduce the risk to your rabbit and help slow the spread of this disease in our wild and domestic rabbits:

1. If you find a sick or dead rabbit do not handle or move it. Call CDFW Wildlife Investigations Lab (916) 358-2790 to report dead wild rabbits, or Santa Barbara Wildlife Care network: (805) 681-1080, and tell them you suspect RHD.

2. Housing your rabbit indoors is the single most important step you can take to protect your rabbit from this disease. If you cannot do that, then screen outdoor hutches to keep flies and other insects away from your rabbit. Exercise your rabbit indoors. If you cannot do that limit outdoor time and use fly prevention.

3. Remove your shoes when entering your home, and wash your hands before and after handling your rabbit.

4. Ask your vet about external parasite control. Vectra3D protects against flies and mosquitos and can be dosed correctly by your vet. Never use Frontline on rabbits.

5. Avoid contact with other rabbits. Until further notice or until a vaccine is available, BUNS will not do rabbit introductions, grooming or Hoppy Hours. If you have friends with rabbits, or visit an area with wild rabbits, change your clothes and shoes after visiting their homes. Wash your clothes in hot water and dry on high. Let your shoes sit for several days to 2 weeks in areas away from your rabbit.

6. If you have a dog or a cat, avoid situations where they may come into contact with a wild bunny or dead wild rabbit; leashes outdoors are recommended. You may want to wash your dogs paws when they enter the house.

7. Tell your vet if you want to vaccinate your rabbit.

8. Stop foraging for wild greens and know the source of your feed. The rates of infection through food are not known, but contaminated feed has been suspected in cases where rabbits housed indoors in urban environments got sick.

Here are some resources for additional information:

Detailed info from the House Rabbit Society: https://rabbit.org/rhdv/
Handout that can be shared: https://rabbit.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/hrs_rhdv_v5.pdf
CA Dept of Food and Agriculture: https://rabbit.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/hrs_rhdv_v5.pdf

Guinea Pig of the Month

Padrillio is our Guinea Pig of the Month for June!

Cute little Pod (a.k.a. Padrillio) is wondering why he is still at the shelter, as he knows how much he has to offer some lucky adopter! He is an independent boy who is not shy when it comes to expressing his opinions and would love to be the King of the household ! This great piggy is happy to cuddle, and he won’t say no to a treat or two. Pod also likes his time exercising and napping in his pen, no doubt dreaming of his forever home.

Learn who the Bunny of the Month is on our website: http://www.bunssb.org/bunny-of-the-month/june-2020/

#BunniesOfInstagram

BUNS 5/2/20 BUNS 5/2/20

Hop to it! We want to hear your stories from home! - The Carrot Tribune - May 2020

The Carrot Tribune

Hop to it!

Life is never boring when you have a rabbit or guinea pig at home! We miss our adopters and volunteers, so let's get together online. Use the hashtag #BUNSfromHome and mention @bunssb to share photos of your BUNS alumni making the best of it from home. Who knows, maybe you'll get featured in next month's Carrot Tribune!

Sable is our Bunny of the Month

Sable is a very pretty bunny with amazing coat and color – a great example of the Silver Marten breed! Not only is she beautiful, she also has such a nice personality and is a calm and loving girl. Sable is hoping someone will give her a forever home where she can thrive and make her human adopter so happy!

Visit bunssb.org to learn who the Guinea Pig of the Month for May 2020 is!

Sheltered but not forgotton

We're still closed to public due to Covid-19. We're looking forward to reopening the shelter, restarting Hoppy Hour, and holding Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig classes again. Until it's safe to do so, we are here for the rabbits and guinea pigs and for bunny and piggie parents.

Bunny and Piggie Pantry

If you lost a job or income due to covid-19, buying pet food may not be possible. We will help you and your bunny or piggie with free pellets and hay. Call or email BUNS to arrange a time for you to pick up food. If you are not able to leave your house, we may be able to deliver pellets and hay. Call 805-683-0521 or email us at info@bunssb.org

Hay Sales

Hay sales will continue during the closure. Bags of hay are ready for purchase on the shelter’s front porch. Each bag contains one flake of hay and sells for $5.00. Cash or checks can be placed in the green box on the wall above the hay. Please bring exact change. The shelter’s address is 5473 Overpass Rd. Goleta CA.

Rabbit and Guinea Pig Care

BUNS will continue to care for the rabbits and guinea pigs at the Santa Barbara County Stray Animal Shelter. If you are hospitalized or unable to care for your rabbit or guinea pig, we will help. Call us at 805-683-0521 or email info@bunssb.org

Adoptions and Foster Care

BUNS is able to facilitate limited adoptions to previous adopters with indoor housing for their bunnies or piggies. Interviews will be done by phone: 805 683-0521. Adopters may request a bunny or piggie from the photos on our website: bunssb.org/bunnies/adoptable-bunnies/. The final choice will made between BUNS and the adopter. All adoptions will be done by appointment only. Adopters may select a bunny or piggie online but will not be able to meet the pet before the adoption. Contact BUNS for more information.

BUNS will consider fostering to homes with indoor housing for their bunnies or guinea pigs. Inquiries about fostering may be made by calling 805-683-0521 or by emailing info@bunssb.org. The decision to foster will be based on the needs of BUNS, the rabbit or guinea pig and our best judgement about the match between the animal and the foster home. We appreciate the offer to foster.

Additional Information

We will be available by phone or email to answer your questions and offer as much help as we can. Call us at 805-683-0521 or email us at info@bunssb.org

How You Can Help

Donate: Hay, pellets, and vet care all cost money. We can supply the love and the time — but your support makes everything else possible. To donate click here: http://www.bunssb.org/donations/

BUNS 4/2/20 BUNS 4/2/20

BUNS is Closed to the Public - The Carrot Tribune - April 2020

The Carrot Tribune

BUNS is closed to the public

BUNS is closed to the public due to Covid-19. We look forward to reopening the shelter, restarting Hoppy Hour, and holding Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig classes again. Until then we are still here for the rabbits and guinea pigs and for bunny and piggie parents. Thank you for your patience and continued support during this difficult time.

Bunny and Piggie Pantry

Hay Sales

Rabbit and Guinea Pig Care

Adoptions and Foster Care

BUNS will consider fostering to homes with indoor housing for their bunnies or guinea pigs. Inquiries about fostering may be made by calling 805 683-0521 or by emailing info@bunssb.org. The decision to foster will be based on the needs of BUNS, the rabbit or guinea pig and our best judgement about the match between the animal and the foster home. We appreciate the offer to foster.

Additional Information

We will be available by phone or email to answer your questions and offer as much help as we can. Call us at 805 683-0521 or email us at info@bunssb.org

How You Can Help

Donate: Hay, pellets, and vet care all cost money. We can supply the love and the time — but your support makes everything else possible. To donate click here: http://www.bunssb.org/donations/

Guinea Pig of the Month

Juanito is a handsome Peruvian mix piggy who has a nice blend of sweetness and swagger! This curious and engaging boy likes to know what’s going on and is an active piggy who is quite keen on treats. Juanito is ready to join his forever home and a loving family.

Learn who our Bunny of the Month is by clicking "read more" below!

Join us on Instagram

BUNS 3/2/20 BUNS 3/2/20

The Carrot Tribune - March 2020

In this issue...

Bunny of the Month
Hoppy Hour & Pignic
Basic Bunny and Guinea Class
An Excellent Place for a Nap

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

Bunny of the Month
Hoppy Hour & Pignic
Basic Bunny and Guinea Class
An Excellent Place for a Nap

Bunny of the Month

Naomi is a beautiful lop breed bunny with so much to admire. She is a good sized girl with an amazing dewlap and a dense, lovely coat that's tailor made for petting! She can be a little shy sometimes, but settles down nicely for cuddling. Naomi is looking for a loving home to call her own!

Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class

Our next class is Sunday March 8. Join us on our Facebook event page to learn more!

1:00 to 2:00	- Handling and Husbandry
2:00 to 2:30	- Training

Bring your Rabbit or Guinea Pig. Learn easy handling and care-taking during the first hour, then for the last half hour play training games that are fun for you and your pet!

$5.00 for an individual
$10.00 for a family
Free to BUNS volunteers

All classes are in the Humane Society Education Building, at 5399 Overpass Rd, Goleta, (to the east of the Animal Shelter)

Hoppy Hour and Pignic

Our next Hoppy Hour and Pgnic is Sunday March 22 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Starting in 2020 we're starting half an hour earlier than 2019, so remember to come early!

Bring your fuzzy friend and give them an opportunity to socialize with other rabbits and Guinea Pigs! Socialization is a very important part of overall rabbit and guinea pig welfare, and a Hoppy Hour and Pignic is the perfect opportunity to let your bunny and guinea pigs play with others.

Hoppy Hour and Pignic will take place on the Humane Society Lawn, at 5399 Overpass Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. Admission is $10 per rabbit and guinea pig. All animals must be healthy and rabbits must have been spayed or neutered at least 30 days in advance.

We'll be providing light refreshments for both you and your bunny, so please join us for an afternoon of fun!

An Excellent Place for a Nap

BUNS 2/2/20 BUNS 2/2/20

New-sew Fleece for your Guinea Pigs – The Carrot Tribune – January 2020

In this issue...

Guinea Pig of the Month
Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class
February Hoppy Hour
Learn to Spot Stasis
No-Sew Fleece for Guinea Pig Feet
Bunnies Enjoying the Super Bowl

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

Guinea Pig of the Month
Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class
February Hoppy Hour
Learn to Spot Stasis
No-Sew Fleece for Guinea Pig Feet
Bunnies Enjoying the Super Bowl

Guinea Pig of the Month

Bob is the new pig in town, having only recently arrived at BUNS, but he’s already breaking hearts! This piggy boy is handsome and sweet! As if that weren’t enough, he also has a beautifully colored coat and is a nice size. He appreciates being made to feel safe, as he is a little timid, which only adds to his wonderful character. Even though he appreciates the wonderful care he is receiving at BUNS, Bob is hoping to find his forever home soon!

Want to know who the Bunny of the Month is? You'll have to visit our website!

Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class

Our next class is Sunday February 9. Join us on our Facebook event page to learn more!

1:00 to 2:00	- Handling and Husbandry
2:00 to 2:30	- Training

Bring your Rabbit or Guinea Pig. Learn easy handling and care-taking during the first hour, then for the last half hour play training games that are fun for you and your pet!

$5.00 for an individual
$10.00 for a family
Free to BUNS volunteers

All classes are in the Humane Society Education Building, at 5399 Overpass Rd, Goleta, (to the east of the Animal Shelter)

Hoppy Hour & Pignic

Our next Hoppy Hour and Pgnic is Sunday February 23 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Starting in 2020 we're starting half an hour earlier than before, so remember to come early!

Learn to Spot Stasis

If you care for a rabbit, chances are good that you've heard the term "stasis." The simplest definition is really just a description of one of the symptoms: your rabbit stops eating, often quite suddenly. Though you and I can go for a while without food if we lose our appetite, stasis for a rabbit is life threatening. If your rabbit has gone through a bout of stasis, you know how stressful it is... for both you and your rabbit. One way to keep your stress in check and to equip yourself to better recognize stasis early is to learn about what's happening, medically, when a rabbit exhibits stasis.

If you want to get technical, this article does a good job of explaining the details:
https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/differentiating-gastrointestinal-stasis-from-gastrointestinal-obstruction-in-domestic-rabbits-oryctolagus-cuniculus/

Remember: Please seek help if your rabbit refuses food when it would normally be enthusiastic. Stasis is a silent killer that can often be prevented or reversed if treated.

No-Sew Fleece for Guinea Pig Feet

by Allison Malone

Ed note: We've had a lot of guinea pig adoptions lately, so we wanted include something for all you guinea pig lovers out there!

Unlike rabbits, guinea pigs have very small hairless feet, and housing them on wire bottom cages can result in injuries like bumblefoot and broken ankles. Therefore, bedding in hard bottom cages are an essential part of guinea-husbandry. There are many versions of guinea pig bedding, from shavings to recycled newspaper, but I have found fleece to be the best solution.

Fleece avoids many of the shortcomings of other bedding alternatives. For example, shavings can cause eye injuries, and both newspaper and wood shavings can get caught up in male reproductive organs causing irritation and in severe cases, infection. Fleece, however, provides a smooth soft surface that is easy on the feet. It’s also easy to clean- just sweep up the droppings and extra hay throughout the week, and when it’s time for a full cage change, just shake it out and throw it directly into the wash machine. Not only is this method quick, easy, and comfortable for piggies, it’s also environmentally friendly.

Read all about how to make fleeces for your guinea pigs on our website, bunssb.org!

Enjoying the Super Bowl

Did you miss our Instagram Super Bowl posts? Follow us on Instagram so you don't miss out!

BUNS 1/2/20 BUNS 1/2/20

Hoppy New Year from BUNS! – The Carrot Tribune – Janury 2020

In this issue...

Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class
Hoppy Hour and Pignic at a new time!
Guinea Pig of the Month
Holiday fun on Instagram

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class
Hoppy Hour and Pignic at a new time!
Guinea Pig of the Month
Holiday fun on Instagram

Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class

Our next class is Sunday January 12. Join us on our Facebook event page to learn more!

1:00 to 2:00	- Handling and Husbandry
2:00 to 2:30	- Training

Bring your Rabbit or Guinea Pig. Learn easy handling and care-taking during the first hour, then for the last half hour play training games that are fun for you and your pet!

$5.00 for an individual
$10.00 for a family
Free to BUNS volunteers

All classes are in the Humane Society Education Building, at 5399 Overpass Rd, Goleta, (to the east of the Animal Shelter)

Hoppy Hour and Pignic

The first Hoppy Hour and Pignic of 2020 is Sunday January 26 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Starting in 2020 we're starting half an hour earlier than before, so remember to come early!

P.S.: Facebook originally listed this month's Hoppy Hour and Pignic as starting at 1:30pm. The bunnies were so excited to tell everyone about Hoppy Hour that they put up two different events for January, and got the time wrong on one. They appologize for any confusion.

Guinea Pig of the Month

Siegfried is such a handsome piggy boy. He is a calm and mellow fellow with a gentle demeanor, and he really enjoys cuddling, especially if it involves treats! Siegfried would love to start the New Year off right with a loving forever home!

Want to know who the Bunny of the Month is? You'll have to visit our website!

Did you miss our holiday fun on Instagram? Follow us on Instagram to make sure you don't miss out for next time!

BUNS 12/4/20 BUNS 12/4/20

National Day of Giving - The Carrot Tribune - December 2019

Support April on this National Day of Giving

April was found in Santa Barbara’s Alice Keck Park on Easter morning 2019. She was emaciated, coated in urine, infested by mites, had recently given birth with milk still leaking, and was terrified of humans.

April was nursed back to health with skill, patience and love from her BUNS foster parents who showered her with love and gained her trust.

Now that April is back at BUNS, healthy and happy, please DONATE to BUNS to help April and dozens like her find their forever homes.

Hoppy Hour and Pignic

This month's Hoppy Hour and Pignic is Sunday December 22 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. So bring your fuzzy friend and give them an opportunity to socialize with other rabbits and guinea pigs! Socialization is a very important part of overall rabbit and guinea pig welfare, and a Hoppy Hour is the perfect opportunity to let your fuzzy one play with others.

We'll be at the Humane Society Lawn, at 5399 Overpass Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. Admission is $10 per rabbit or guinea pig. All animals must be healthy and rabbits must have been spayed or neutered at least 30 days in advance.

Please join us for an afternoon of fun!

Our registration/waiver form is available online! Print it out before you come to save time at Hoppy Hour and Pignic registration! (If you've filled one out before, note that we've consolidated the Rabbit and Guinea Pig forms) You can download fill out out a form before coming:

Download the Waiver Form

Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class

Our next class is Sunday December 8. Join us on our Facebook event page to learn more!

1:00 to 2:00

- Handling and Husbandry

2:00 to 2:30

- Training

Bring your Rabbit or Guinea Pig. Learn easy handling and care-taking during the first hour, then for the last half hour play training games that are fun for you and your pet!

$5.00 for an individual

$10.00 for a family

Free to BUNS volunteers

All classes are in the Humane Society Education Building, at 5399 Overpass Rd, Goleta, (to the east of the Animal Shelter)

Guinea Pig of the Month

Padrillio ("Pod" to his friends!)

is a sweet piggy boy with a cute and sometimes bewildered expression (probably wondering why he is still at the shelter, when he knows he has so much to offer some lucky human!) He is a very observant piggy, and is always keen to receive treats and praise. Pod has one wish this holiday season - a wonderful forever home!

Our Amazon Wishlist

Want to give a present to the bunnies and guinea pigs? You can!

The critters nominated Reese to update their wish list, but he just wrote down "nanners." So, we helped out a bit and updated the wish list with a few more useful items.

Remember that while you are shopping on Amazon, you can designate Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter as your charity. Then when you shop on Smile.Amazon.com, a portion of your purchase price will be donated to BUNS.

They're all on our BUNS Santa Barbara wish list on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/15YGZ5VSH22TP/ref=cm_go_nav_hz

BUNS 11/2/19 BUNS 11/2/19

The Carrot Tribune - November 2019

In this issue...

Bunny of the Month
November Hoppy Hour
Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class
Cutness from our Instagram!

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

Bunny of the Month
November Hoppy Hour
Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class
Cutness from our Instagram!

Hoppy Hour and Pignic

This month's is Sunday November 24 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. So bring your fuzzy friend and give them an opportunity to socialize with other rabbits and guinea pigs! Socialization is a very important part of overall rabbit and guinea pig welfare, and a Hoppy Hour is the perfect opportunity to let your fuzzy one play with others.

Please join us for an afternoon of fun!

Download the Waiver Form

Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class

Our next class is Sunday November 10. Join us on our Facebook event page to learn more!

1:00 to 2:00	- Handling and Husbandry
2:00 to 2:30	- Training

Bring your Rabbit or Guinea Pig. Learn easy handling and care-taking during the first hour, then for the last half hour play training games that are fun for you and your pet!

$5.00 for an individual
$10.00 for a family
Free to BUNS volunteers

All classes are in the Humane Society Education Building, at 5399 Overpass Rd, Goleta, (to the east of the Animal Shelter)

Sugar is our Bunny of the Month!

Sugar is a very aptly named bunny, as she is a very sweet girl! This beauty boasts an amazing Rex breed coat - it is snow white, with the texture of velvet . She also has gorgeous pink/lavender eyes, and as if that's not enough, she is also a supreme cuddle-bunny! Sugar is waiting for a loving human who will give her all the pets and cuddles she so richly deserves, and her forever home.

Want to know who the Guinea Pig of the Month for November is? Visit bunssb.org to find out!

BUNS 10/2/19 BUNS 10/2/19

Negotiating Territory with Your House Bunny - The Carrot Tribune - October 2019

In this issue...

Basic Bunny Class
October Hoppy Hour
Bunny Pig of the Month
Negotiating Territory with Your House Bunny

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

Basic Bunny Class
October Hoppy Hour
Bunny Pig of the Month
Negotiating Territory with Your House Bunny

Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class

Our next class is Sunday October 13. Join us on our Facebook event page to learn more!

1:00 to 2:00	- Handling and Husbandry
2:00 to 2:30	- Training

Bring your Rabbit or Guinea Pig. Learn easy handling and care-taking during the first hour, then for the last half hour play training games that are fun for you and your pet!

$5.00 for an individual
$10.00 for a family
Free to BUNS volunteers

All classes are in the Humane Society Education Building, at 5399 Overpass Rd, Goleta, (to the east of the Animal Shelter)

October Hoppy Hour

This month's is Sunday October 27 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. So bring your fuzzy friend and give them an opportunity to socialize with other rabbits and guinea pigs! Socialization is a very important part of overall rabbit and guinea pig welfare, and a Hoppy Hour is the perfect opportunity to let your fuzzy one play with others.

Please join us for an afternoon of fun!

Download the Waiver Form

Alfalfa is the Bunny of the Month

Alfalfa is a self-assured piggy boy, and what a handsome fellow he is! He is a busy guy, but not too busy to accept attention and compliments (and of course, treats!). Alfalfa would love to find his forever family, and knows he'd be a great addition to a loving home.

Want to know who the Guinea Pig of the Month for September is? Visit bunssb.org to find out!

Negotiating Territory with Your House Bunny

By Lee Barber

Bunnies are wonderful house pets. However, bunnies are territorial creatures and living with them entails negotiating territory. This process of negotiating can be lengthy, but once achieved means that your bunny can freely roam your home while respecting your space and belongings.

As silly as it may sound, I think it helps to actually consider bunnies as having a concept of personal property and it is important to respect it. You bunny needs a space of his own. This does not have to be a large space. I recommend establishing your bunny’s territory with a folding exercise pen. Everything within that pen belongs to your bunny. Let your bunny rearrange his toys, food bowl, and hay box however he likes. If you notice your bunny peeing in a particular spot outside the hay box, move the hay box to that spot or even add a second hay box. Otherwise, let him do what he wants in that space and relocate him when it is time to clean his pen, so he does not see your intrusion.

Now that your bunny has his own territory established, you can let your bunny explore other parts of home under supervision. It is important that during this supervised exploration your bunny is able to return his pen on his own both for his sense of safety and of course for when he needs to pee.

While exploring, your bunny will try to claim new territory and when he does you must counteract his territorial behaviors. Bunnies claim territory by leaving their scent. When your bunny leaves droppings, quickly pick them up and put them in his hay box. When he pees, pick him up, place him in his hay box and close the pen; then clean the pee spot with white vinegar to remove the smell. You will also notice your bunny rubbing his chin on various things, this is another territorial behavior, and you will need to wipe down all those surfaces. Your bunny will also shed, leaving his scent, so its important to regularly vacuum your home.

Besides cleaning, there are a couple of other ways to address territorial behavior. During exploration time, if your bunny returns to his pen, reward him with a treat or pets; and when he returns to his pen to pee in his hay box, give him an extra good treat! You can also let him know other spaces belong to you by leaving out clothing that carries your scent—shoes, socks, sweaters, hats—and let him smell and examine these things.

As your bunny gains a reinforced understanding of what space belongs to you, you can extend these exploration times, reduce supervision, and eventually remove the pen or leave it open. It takes time and consistency, but a free range house bunny is truly a joy to live with!

BUNS 9/2/19 BUNS 9/2/19

Former BUNS Bunny Lost to Myxomatosis - The Carrot Tribune - September 2019

In this issue...

Basic Bunny Class
Sepember Hoppy Hour
Bunny Pig of the Month
Keeping Your Small Pet Cool This Summer
Alicia Lost to Myxomatosis

The Carrot Tribune

In this issue...

Basic Bunny Class
Sepember Hoppy Hour
Bunny Pig of the Month
Keeping Your Small Pet Cool This Summer
Alicia Lost to Myxomatosis

Basic Bunny and Guinea Pig Class

Our next class is Sunday September 8. Join us on our Facebook event page to learn more!

1:00 to 2:00	- Handling and Husbandry
2:00 to 2:30	- Training

Bring your Rabbit or Guinea Pig. Learn easy handling and care-taking during the first hour, then for the last half hour play training games that are fun for you and your pet!

$5.00 for an individual
$10.00 for a family
Free to BUNS volunteers

All classes are in the Humane Society Education Building, at 5399 Overpass Rd, Goleta, (to the east of the Animal Shelter)

Hoppy Hour and Picnic - Sept 22

Now that summer is over, hoppy hour is back on the lawn!

This month's is Sunday September 22 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. So bring your fuzzy friend and give them an opportunity to socialize with other rabbits and guinea pigs! Socialization is a very important part of overall rabbit and guinea pig welfare, and a Hoppy Hour is the perfect opportunity to let your fuzzy one play with others.

Please join us for an afternoon of fun!

Download the Waiver Form

Bunny of the Month

Beverly is a classy little lady with a big personality in a tiny body! She is a discerning bunny who knows what she wants, and will let you know it too! Beverly is looking for a confident, experienced adopter who can appreciate all this lovely Lionhead has to offer.

Want to know who the Guinea Pig of the Month for September is? Visit bunssb.org to find out!

Tips on Keeping Your Small Pet Cool This Summer

This article is reposted with permission from our good friends at Small Pet Select.

I don’t know about you, but I impatiently waited out all nine months of Colorado’s stubborn winter in eager anticipation of sweet, sweet summer. Sunburn. Mosquitos. Hot leather car seats. Two-shower days. Bring it on. I want all of it. But as much as I worry about keeping my small animals warm all year long, they could take or leave my beloved three months of summer. In fact, overheating can be even more dangerous than catching a chill for small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs.

Small animals can’t keep cool by panting like dogs or sweating like humans. Guinea pigs don’t even have sweat glands! An 80-degree day sounds like heaven to me, but is already too warm for your little one. Add in direct sunlight or high humidity, and you’re looking at a recipe for disaster. Extra fluffy breeds, overweight animals, babies, and seniors are particularly at risk. Here are some tips to keep your small animals cool during the warmer months.

First things first. If the temp is pushing 80+ degrees, keep your small animals indoors – ideally with the air conditioning running. Save the fresh grass time for dusk.
Invest in oscillating fans to help with air circulation if the air conditioning isn’t keeping up. If air conditioning isn’t available, you can DIY by blowing a fan over a cold, wet sheet.
Time for a summer ‘do. My Texel guinea pig’s summer coiffure isn’t as stylish as his winter cut, but it gets the job done.
Give your small animals some cool ceramic tiles to rest on, if they so choose. You can even freeze them for a few minutes first. Avoid placing in the sun though, as it can produce the opposite effect. I hear bougie buns like marble, too.
Replace plastic hides with fleece forests, or a damp towel draped over your guinea pig’s cage for shade and shelter.
Offer moisture-rich treats straight from the fridge like cucumber, celery, and melon. Rinse greens in cool water before feeding to encourage extra water consumption. Avoid feeding frozen veggies, however.
Refill bowls and bottles with fresh, cool water a few times a day. You can even offer an ice cube or two for your buddy to lick.
Freeze water bottles, wrap in a towel or old sock, and place in your small animal’s enclosure for him to lay against.
Rabbits regulate body temperature through their ears. Mist your rabbit’s ears with water, avoiding moisture inside the actual ear canal. The evaporating water can help cool down a toasty bunny.
Watch for signs of overheating or heatstroke and intervene as soon as possible. These include:

Reddening of the ears
Rapid breathing , panting, or open-mouth breathing
Lethargy or weakness
Laying on side
Acting disoriented
Salivating excessively
Seizures

Call your vet right away if you notice any of the above symptoms. Do NOT attempt to put your rabbit or guinea pig in a cold bath, as the shock of the sudden temperature change can be fatal.

Enjoy some fun in the sun this summer, but take extra precautions on hot days to keep your small animals safe and cool.

For more information:

http://www.longislandrabbitrescue.org/summer/

http://www.rabbithaven.org/overheating/

http://binkyabout.com/heat-stroke-in-rabbits/

http://www.specialbunny.org/overheating

https://rabbit.org/faq-warm-weather-concerns/

Alicia Lost to Myxomatosis

We mourn the death of former BUNS bunny, Alicia from myxomatosis. Alicia was much loved by the Hysons her family. We are so happy that the last 2 years of Alicia’s life were spent in a safe and loving home.

Alicia’s life was not always easy. First she was in a group of rabbits that were abandoned on a Santa Ynez Valley ranch. The ranch woman who found the rabbits described them as meat rabbits. She moved Alicia and the other girls to a large pen. Since the woman did not plan to breed rabbits, she put the males “to their intended use.” For a while Alicia lived in a pen with the other girls. One day the woman had to go out of town. She decided to “free” the rabbits.

In August 2017 the woman abandoned Alicia and approximately 20 rabbits on Figueroa Mountain Rd in 100 degree heat. That night the rabbits were caught in the headlights of a mom and daughters driving home. The mom and daughters were able to catch several. In the next few days fourteen rabbits were saved. Rescue efforts were made by residents, Animal Services, the Animal Rescue Team and BUNS. We searched until there were no living rabbits to be found; sadly we found quite a few bodies.

Residents kept three of the rabbits. Eleven rabbits were transferred to BUNS. Two of our 11 Figueroa Mountain bunnies died from Myxomatosis within a week. In the next few months Alicia and the other surviving Figuroa Mountain bunnies were adopted by loving families.

We are so grateful to the Hysons for allowing Alicia to know what it is to be loved and safe. We share their grief at her loss.

If you would like to learn more about protecting your rabbit from myxomatosis, read our June 2019 Extra Edition here: http://www.bunssb.org/newsletter/view/june-2019-extra/