"Can we get a pet?" is a common question heard in houses who embody young children. Kids love the responsibility of caring for a cute, furry friend, and you may've considered a rabbit during negotiations with your children. How hard can it be to adopt an adorable, loving bunny? There's more to it than that! The team at Dolly's Dream Home, a foster-based nonprofit, are local experts when it comes to considering a rabbit.
Did you know bunnies and rabbits are the same thing? The term "bunny" often refers to young rabbits, or as a term of endearment for a pet rabbit. This article about Dolly's Dream Home Rabbit Rescue helps do a deeper-dive into owning rabbits as pets.
This rescue apparently was never meant to emerge, but after the team rescued a few local bunnies, they say the calls never stopped. Now, they get about 80 requests per week for dumped bunnies, meat bunnies and surrenders. There are basically zero laws or regulations regarding pet rabbits in Missouri, which is a huge problem.
If interested in visiting the team and meeting some potential pets, their rabbit supply storefront is called Dolly’s Dream Store in St. Charles at 494 South 5th St. Anyone is welcome to attend their bunny events, shop for supplies (all bunny safe). The store usually has one or two rabbits at a time, because they are entirely foster-based.
City Lifestyle asked Dolly’s Dream Home President and Founder Katie Kottmeyer and Dolly's rescue team to share enlightening details about the world of bunnies.
WHAT KIND OF MISCONCEPTIONS DO PEOPLE USUALLY HAVE ABOUT OWNING A RABBIT?
People usually think rabbits are OK to live in cages, but cages are too small and rabbits often experience variations of hind leg atrophy. We recommend a 4-by-4-foot minimum puppy pen.
RABBITS ARE SO CUTE! CAN ANYONE OWN ONE?
People think they’re easy starter pets, but in reality, they live 8 to 12 years. Not only this, but they’re technically exotic animals and only a few vets will see them. This is an expensive issue because demand for exotic vets is high, which drives up spay costs, but otherwise 80% of unspayed females get uterine cancer.
People also think you can release them outside into the wild when after caring for them. However, domestic European rabbits are actually an entirely different species than cottontails, like cats and dogs, and they absolutely cannot survive outside. We litterbox train all of our bunnies and they can even learn tricks, their names and more.
We highly recommend doing proper research first. They’re not pets for kids; they have 28 teeth, and bite to deglove. They’re fabulous pets IF you have the right education. This is why we offer a free virtual education course that anyone can sign up for at DollysDreamHome.org.
WHAT KIND OF CHALLENGES COME WITH ADOPTING A RABBIT?
They’re fabulous family members, just not what we would consider a “starter pet." Our process is extremely efficient in terms of helping get set up and ready for a bunny. If you’re not sure a bunny is right for you, consider our foster-to-adopt program or hop over to our bunny blog, DollysDreamHome.org/Rabbit-Care-Information. Dolly and her husbun, Kenny Rogers, thank you!
To assist this rescue, consider shopping on the group's Chewy or Amazon Wish List. Donations accepted through Venmo and Cash App.
DollysDreamHomeRescue@gmail.com
DollysDreamHome.org
This rescue was never meant to emerge, but after the team rescued a few local bunnies, the calls never stopped.
