As a St. George rabbit rescue heads toward closure, dozens of rabbits in need of home

Written by Stephanie DeGraw
August 31, 2022

ST. GEORGE — The impending closure of a local rabbit rescue has prompted a need for dozens of house rabbits to find a new home.

(L-R): Volunteer Heather Timo and Tessa Chianne, founder of Hunny-Bunns Rabbit Rescue, hope to adopt out many domesticated rabbits under their care, St. George, Utah, Aug. 26, 2022 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

Twenty-six pairs of bonded rabbits need to find homes by Sept. 20, which is when Tessa Chianne, the founder of Hunny-Bunns Rabbit Rescue, will head to Florida to be with her ailing husband, who is undergoing cancer treatment. The couple will not be returning to Utah.

The rabbits up for adoption are spayed/neutered, litterbox trained and micro-chipped. And all the animals are rescued from homes that no longer could care for them.

Chianne said she hopes to educate people about rabbits in addition to finding homes for the rabbits, as they cannot survive in the wild, nor should they be left in a backyard hutch, as this environment is not ideal for rabbits and can shorten their life.

“These are house rabbits only. I get questions from people saying, ‘Oh, yeah, we can take two bunnies. We have a huge backyard.’ And I just tell them, ‘I’m sorry, no,'” Chianne said. “I explain to them that the rabbit needs to be indoors and located someplace where they can be around the action.”

Similar to companion animals like cats or dogs, rabbits are curious and social creatures who want to be near their humans. If allowed to roam in the home, some rabbits will jump up onto a lap or sit and watch TV with their owner, she said, adding that they are loyal, loving and clever.

Also, rabbits need an area that feels safe and allows them to jump, run and stretch out. Many people house their rabbits in their basements and some rabbits are allowed the run of the home.

One of the bunnies from the Hunny-Bunns Rabbit Rescue, St. George, Utah, August 26, 2022 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

As animals of prey, rabbits don’t like to be startled. Loud noise can cause a rabbit to panic and tense up, which is another reason why people should keep pet rabbits indoors at all times.

“They are a prey animal so they are expecting that somebody is going to come and kill them,” she said. “So a car door slamming, children playing loudly, or a bird flying overhead – it will scare them. And it can’t live like this … it deteriorates its body. Outdoor pet rabbits don’t live as long as indoor house rabbits.”

Many people don’t realize that rabbits need to be adopted in pairs, as rabbits bond for life, she added. It will take five to seven days for rabbits to bond. People who adopt need to understand it is a considerable commitment to the rabbits, with some living up to 12 years.

They will need to be taken to a veterinarian for checkups and any other treatment they might need in the future. Owners need to be willing to clean their pet’s enclosure and provide an environment that allows the rabbits to explore.

A rabbit’s diet includes fresh hay, pellets, fresh vegetables and fresh water. Chianne recommends 1/8 cup of pellets per rabbit each morning and evening. She uses oxbow pellets jam-packed with vitamins and minerals to help rabbits live a long time.

Getting a pet rabbit’s diet right is vital, according to the Best4Bunny website. Pet owners need to be aware that some fruits and vegetables are not safe for rabbits. And that vegetables need to be gradually introduced to their diet one at a time. Otherwise, the pet could get an upset stomach causing diarrhea.

Rabbit owners should also be wary of giving their rabbit too many carrots, as carrots are high in sugar and can cause health problems. Most rabbits like dark leafy vegetables and a variety of vegetables.

To adopt a pair of bunnies, contact Chianne at by email or see her at Petco in Washington City on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie DeGraw is an award-winning journalist. For 25 years, she engaged in journalism, broadcasting and public relations. DeGraw worked for the Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press and The City Journals. She was a reporter for a CBS television station in Twin Falls, Idaho. She graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Broadcasting.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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