Hop over to OAHS for adoptable bunnies

OSHKOSH, WI- (WISS) –  Bunnies! This time of year, bunnies are everywhere. Of course, the Easter Bunny is on our minds during the Easter season. Spring is coming, and gardeners are thinking about how to protect new plants from bunny visitors. And the Oshkosh Area Humane Society helps children learn how to care for domestic bunnies as pets! 

Adopt a Stuffed Bunny

The OAHS rescues “pre-loved” stuffed bunnies from area thrift stores or donations, and lets children “adopt” them to take home. While adopting the rescued, repaired, and reconditioned bunnies, children learn what pet bunnies need and want and how to take care of them. 

Emily Anderson, Marketing and PR Manager with OAHS, said the shelter ares for and adopts out 50-60 rabbits annually. The majority of the adopters are families with children. But before a family makes the step to adopt a bun bun, the children can adopt a rescued stuffed animal.

“The younger children, who maybe don’t have a pet at home, can have the experience of coming to a humane society and seeing adoptable bunnies that they can then be responsible for when they take them home, while learning about how to care for real bunnies,” Anderson said.

Shelter staff and volunteers ‘rescue’ the stuffed bunnies from thrift stores or donations. They, then, clean and sanitize the toys before adoption. Anderson said adopting a pre-loved stuffed bunny helps children learn how real homeless pets are rescued and cared for. Then they can find loving homes.

“ If they, maybe, are missing a tail or an eye or a button on their little outfits, we have one of our staff who fixes them up,” said Anderson. “You know, heals their booboos, so they’re all ready to go–just like the real-life bunnies, if they have issues.”

Every adopted stuffed bunny has to be named. The children then get an adoption certificate with the bunny’s name, birthdate, and information about what real pet bunnies need to be happy and healthy.

Adopt a Real Bunny

Bunnies are wonderful companion animals for families to adopt. They make excellent pets because they are super social and become very loyal to their owners. They are very clean and can easily be litter trained once they’re spayed/neutered, and they can be trained to do tricks. 

The OAHS helps potential bunny parents adopt their new floppy-eared family members with ease and education.

“ So, typically, we like them to come here and meet the bunny. Fill out an adoption application. They can fill out the application before they come here online on our small animals page,” Anderson explained. “Then meet the bunny; meet with Sarah (the OAHS small animal adoption specialist); talk through all the care, behavior, and nutrition that they need, and then, usually, Sarah will let them go home with the bunny the same day.”

For information on adopting a stuffed bunny, adopting a pet bunny or on any of the programs and services offered, visit www.oahs.org.