My ‘Make Mine Chocolate” craigslist ad

[kralspace]

I was inspired by other members to post my own craigslist ad everyother day here in my area. I’ve gotten several nice emails and a few strange ones.  I wasn’t looking to correspond with anyone, just put them in touch  with a couple of informative sites (including ours!) if they were thinking of getting one for Easter. Here’s mine:

—————————————————————————–

SUBJECT: Easter Bunnies: Make Mine Chocolate!

Thinking that a cute bunny would be the perfect cuddly gift for children? Please learn more about rabbits and their care before buying one, Rabbits require as much care, attention and money to care for as any dog or cat. They require the services of a vet who specializes in exotics, they need to be neutered and spayed. They will also chew everything in your house if you do not properly bun-proof. They are not for small children, are not low maintenance or ‘starter’ pets.

Look at the long muscular legs on any rabbit. God did not build them to sit 24 hours in a small cage. They need hours of freedom to exercise, socialize and be a part of your family. They are the 3rd most abandoned animal in shelters. Help stop the madness. Before you buy an animal that will likely wind up dumped at the pound, or worse turned into the wild to die a slow and horrible death, please visit these websites for information on the care of rabbits.

http://www.makeminechocolate.org/index.php

http://www.rabbit.org

https://www.binkybunny.com (has photos of habitats to build and a very active members forums)

I own 6 house rabbits, I love them because they are wonderful, sensitive creatures. Please make sure you are willing to give them the care they deserve.

————————————————————————————————————————–

[BinkyBunny]

That’s great!! I sure hope  that with each year more education is received and less impulse buys are done, and that bringing a bunny into a home will be done with care and research. Thank you for helping to educate during this very important time.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Great idea!! I wrote my paper, I dont’ get the paper but have been watching the online version to see if my letter showed up -so far no go. But we are doing another interview with another local paper and I suggested focusing on easter and bunnies so hopefully we get something in the local media soon!

[Ruffles&Daisy]

I posted about 3 times on CL recently and got some nice responses and some odd ones too. I usually write something to the effect that “despite what you might think about rabbits, they are not cuddley, nor do they make good starter pets for kids. They shouldn’t live outdoors, they cannot live in small cages, and they require as much time, money, and love as a dog or cat. Also, rabbits from pet stores come from the same grimy pet mills as puppies do, and no one wants to support those mills. If you have done your research and still think a rabbit is the right pet for you, then please adopt from a shelter or rescue.”

But I like your line about the strong legs and tiny cage. I think I will incorporate that line, plus links. We should all flood CL about Easter bunnies, because I know people use it a lot to find pets.

[kralspace]

Maybe we can combine all our ideas and create an effective ad we can all post in our local craigslist. I thought about posting it under the Pet Forum but figured I would get deleted for spam. Can’t hurt to try!

[Sarita]

Wow, that’s great. I cannot imagine what type of responses you get on Craigslist but I’m glad you are getting some positive ones.

[kralspace]

I may get some nasty emails today, there were several ads trying to ‘rehome’ adorable baby bunnies so I edited mine to include:

“Little baby bunnies are precious, 4 months later they become destructive teenagers complete with raging hormones. This is when, like chicks, they are no longer cute and no one has ‘time’ for them anymore and they are ‘disposed of’. If you do decide a rabbit is for your family, please consider visiting a rabbit rescue and adopting one that is spayed/neutered and socialized, they make wonderful pets for the right family. ”

[Beka27]

Okay… I posted an ad on CL just now… If anyone wants to view it, here is the link:

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/pet/1102148649.html

[Ruffles&Daisy]

Here’s mine:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pet/1102293330.html

[kralspace]

I love them! Maybe we can convince at least a few people not to get them on impulse.

There were 2 ads in my area this morning, both playing up the ‘cute little baby bunny’ they had for sale. If they could only see a video of my lovely Pringles going through her imaginary pregnancies and tearing up the house!

[Beka27]

I was pleased to only see a couple ads for rabbits, the buns did not seem to be babies either… just a people with one rabbit they were trying to rehome. I guess it may still be a bit early, there might be more within the next week or so. There were a few ads with people seeking bunnies, so hopefully they will evaluate the real reason they want a bunny.

[Ruffles&Daisy]

It seems like every time I post about Easter bunnies, there is an ad that pops up for “the cute little bunny for your kid”. I emailed this woman just now because she was marketing her cute little holland lops as great pets for kids, can live indoors or outdoors, are cute and cuddley. I wanted to scream. So I just sent her a nice note urging her to make sure they become inside pets, that they get fixed, and that they are not good pets for kids. For some reason, I’m on this crusade and I can’t stop. But on the other hand, a woman sent me a nice email saying that she appreciates my periodic reminders about bunnies. So maybe it’s making a difference.

[jerseygirl]

A small consideration… many parents may consider the warning ads and still think ” but ‘Mandy’ or ‘Johnny’ really wants one” and go ahead with it. So maybe some ads that acknowledge that people may know someone who had a cuddly rabbit that’s great with the kids etc BUT this is not the norm and you won’t know until you’ve had it for some time. I really like emphasis on “the right family” and the info you guys are putting out there. KUDOS to you all!!!!!

[Beka27]

It’s really hard to walk that fine line betw/ “I LOVE MY BUNNIES, they are the GREATEST PETS EVER!!!” and “But… they might suck for you.”

I get it. I do. I *was* that 10 year old who wanted EVERY PET. I’ve had more than my share of small critters… I made so many mistakes, and the honest truth is, a lot of people do not know how to care for anything when they are children or teenagers. I’m just glad that as an adult, I’ve been able to fix the mistakes and do my best for my buns… and hopefully educate someone else in the process.

That being said, I got an email tonight from someone “interested” in my buns.

*headdesk*

[kralspace]

Well, my ad got flagged off last night and I just reposted it. Probably the several people who have ads for ‘cute loveable baby bunnies perfect for Easter!” decided I was bad for their business.

I did suggest in my ad that people check out the rescues for mature, spneutered buns.

I read through the terms of agreement and don’t see anything I’m violating so I will just keep reposting. It will take them longer to flag me than for me to put it back up…lol

[Beka27]

Did you get an email notice it was taken down, or do you just have to go and check everyday to make sure it’s still there? I tried to be smart, I Copy/Pasted the final ad into an email draft and saved it, just in case and/or for next year…

[LittlePuffyTail]

That’s great guys!! Any little bit helps. We can’t change the world for bunnie unless we try.

I usually write to the editor of the paper here every year but this year they beat me to it. There is a weekend pet section in the paper and there was a really nice article on not buying Easter bunnies.

[kralspace]

craigslist sent me an email explaining it had been flagged and things to check to make sure it met all the guidelines. The last sentence was about 2% of all flagged ads don’t deserved to be flagged and if I feel it was unjust just to repost it.

I did!

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

I’m gonna borrow some parts of your posts! Hehe. Thanks!

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

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Thinking about getting your child a bunny for Easter this year? Please think again. Despite what many think, rabbits are NOT cuddly, low maintenance pets. They require as much, if not more, attention and care than a dog or cat.

 

Here are some facts to consider:

 

-Rabbits live an average of 10 years. Are you ready for that commitment?

 

-Rabbits are very expensive to house and feed. It costs hundreds of dollars a year to have a bunny in your household. Here’s is a link to give you an idea of the costs:  http://www.sandiegorabbits.org/adop…arison.pdf

 

-Rabbits do not like to be handled and cuddled and may kick and scratch, causing injury to both themselves and those trying to handle them.

 

-Rabbits chew everything! They have teeth that grow continuously and will therefore destroy many things you do not want them to if your home is not properly “bunny-proofed.”

 

-Rabbits should NOT be housed outside in a small hutch. It is dangerous to keep them outdoors as they are prey animals. They cannot tolerate the elements like heat or cold and can literally be scared to death or killed by predators (like your pet dog and cat or raccoons).

 

-Rabbits require a lot of space. It is unhealthy to house them in a small wire cage. They need room to stretch out and free time outside of the cage for at least 3 hours a day to keep them healthy and happy.

 

Rabbits are the third most abandoned animals in the US. Shelters cannot support the large influx of rabbits that follow in the months after Easter. And despite what many think, domesticated rabbits will not survive if “let free” into the wild; they no longer have the instincts to fend for themselves.

 

-Bunnies are NOT good “starter” pets. Although they may seem cute and cuddly as babies, that will all change once puberty kicks in. Once they reach 4-5 months, they can become destructive, territorial and aggressive. This behavior often requires a costly spay or neuter to correct.

 

The bottom line: A stuffed rabbit makes a better present for a child.

 

 

I am not trying to say that rabbits do not make good pets. They can be an amazing addition to a family, but please consider the facts. I personally have a neutered male rabbit and he is social, litterbox trained, clean, and friendly…But he is a heck of a lot of work!

 

If you think you are ready to bring a bunny into your household, here are some great resources for care and info:

 

The House Rabbit Society: http://www.rabbit.org/

A fun coloring book you can download for the kids, it includes basic info about how to care for a rabbit: http://www.sandiegorabbits.org/adoption/colorbook.pdf

Info on house rabbits, includes an active forum about day-to-day life with rabbits: https://binkybunny.com/

Resource for finding shelter rabbits up for adoption, many which are already spayed/neutered: http://www.petfinder.com

Info on rabbits at Easter: http://www.makeminechocolate.org/

 

Feel free to contact me if you have questions about rabbit care.

******************************************************************

[kralspace]

I love it Rachel,

can I copy and paste yours after my current one gets flagged? again?

It is so sad. Out of all my buns, the one I feel the most sorry for is little Daisy. He was a left over Easter bunny at Petco (or Petsmart, can’t remember which) and he was still sitting in that glass case all by himself in late July. He has never gotten over living like that. Although he will timidly creep forward enough to take a treat from my hand, he just automatically freezes when someone comes in the room and just looks stressed out all the time. I have 2 boxes so he can hide away in the condo, but he is just so fearful.

I try getting him used to being handled and he just goes into this resigned ‘go ahead and kill me’ posture that is so sad to see. I leave the condo open once I get home and Lola is out and about immediately but not Daisy. Once a night, around 10 pm he tiptoes out and runs, plays and binkies for about 10 minutes, then he zooms back into the condo and into that wide eyed crouch.

I know his life isn’t as bad as those that were bought and mistreated, but it really pulls at the heartstrings to see his mental captivity that he just can’t seem to break out of.

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

You guys are all welcome to use it too. I just posted one that was just the to MMC pictures that are clickable to the website

And poor Daisy… he was lucky to end up with you!

[Beka27]

I agree, that’s heartbreaking about Daisy. I’m glad he has Lola (and you!) to watch out for him.

Great job Rachel!

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Can you tell I put together a lot of essays and presentations when I’m not on BB? Haha.

[bunnytowne]

that sounds very good.  I have seen similar on craigslist where I live.  The lady herself that posted it lives in Orlando.

I emailed her saying thank you from bunnies everywhere.

Awe poor Daisy.. My Laith was like that somewhat. He was always tense. Other than him being tense he was fine.  It is heartbreaking to see Daisy I am sure. 

Sending vibes for Daisy to release herself from her self imposed  prison.  Poor girl.

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/pet/1105624744.html

[kralspace]

YEa! We could have a contest and see who gets flagged the most.

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

hahaha i’m having good luck… luckily SD seems to understand

[hooty22]

Digx, that’s actually awesome. Do you mind if I copy it for my local craigslist? I’ve seen 3 adds already for people asking for bunnies to give to their kids. Idiots.

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

go for it, hooty!

[Beka27]

I’ve seen ads for people wanting bunnies too. I found that weird. If you *really want* a bunny, you can go into any number of privately owned petstores locally that sell them around this time. Why don’t they go to the local store and buy one? But then I start thinking… they must not want to spend an ENTIRE 40 bucks on a petstore bunny. They are searching for the “perfect easter bunny” for ten bucks or whatever and they can’t get that at a store. It really makes you wonder what that poor animal’s life is going to be like…

[kralspace]

I saw a sick ad the other day, I might have been in the Dallas or Houston pets section. They said they had to rehome a hampster by Friday or it would be fed to their snake. They had a photo of the hampster and a photo of the snake side by side. They got several really nasty replies before it was pulled. People are unbelievable.

[Ruffles&Daisy]

Good work everyone who is posting on CL! I’m going to post again today.
Stupid and cruel about the hamster. People are just idiots sometimes.

[kralspace]

Well, as of this morning I got flagged for the 4th time and immediately put it back up!

Below are the last 3 lines of one of the bunny ads:

Adorable lop eared bunnies.Under 3 lbs where mature.
Several to choose from. $40 re home fee
Great Easter surprises,

AGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!

[Carolyn]

I think this add is great….….I’ve see it on Kijijij…If it gets to someone out there that its not a good idea to get a bunny for easter then its worth it….…..

[bigsis7]

Great ideas guys!! I think this will really help some people realize that bunnies shouldn’t be bought just because it’s easter!

[BunnyLiz]

lol haha I checked my local craiglist today before I even came to BB and saw this thread!  Love how we are all thinking the same thing.  I saw SOOOO many ads for selling easter buns and SOOOO many looking for buns.  To be honest I was tearing up a bit lol.  Then I saw a post similar to the ones you guys are putting together.  So I sent her a nice email thanking her.  Then I started on my own to post.  But Rachels is much better then mine so im stealing it lol.  Ill post it tonight!

[Lightchick]

Awesome, guys! I just checked CL in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and no baby Easter bunny ads! Maybe the message has gotten through, a little..

[Sonn]

I put one up but 20 minutes after it was active it was flagged lol and I forgot to save a copy so have to make it all over again.

[kralspace]

Just copy one of the ones here, sonn, that’s what I did. I get it back up so fast they may think it doesn’t get flagged…lol

[kralspace]

hahahahahha, just as I hit submit, I got the notice that mine had been flagged for the 5th time! Now going for number 6.

At least it means I’m getting under someone’s skin.

[2lops]

Oh that ad is great!! I posted a couple on kijiji.. I got a reply on one thanking me for posting the ad.. from a fellow rabbit owner of 2. Somehow we got into talking vegetarianism and that’s when they explained that even though they loved their rabbits, rabbit curry tasted quite good.

Anyways..congrats on getting flagged (;

[BunnyLiz]

I havent been flagged!  But I got an email for someone who “is interested, and will contact me in a few days.”  Apparently they dont understand!  I hate people sometimes.  I guess ill leave them be and hopefully they will forget all about my bunnies, that way i dont have to yell at them yet. 

[BunnyLiz]

Hehe who is in Kentucky that is posting Rachels ad too!?! lol well its on my local list twice, once by me and once by someone here im guessing. Its under “bunnies” and they have one neutered male.

[Sonn]

I am in Ky I have seen 4 of the same ad lol. Mine was under Easter Rabbits but it got flagged again. I got a few nice emails and a few from some very odd people and 1 wanting to know how much my rabbits were LOL

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

That’s what I don’t like about CL compared to Kijiji-the ad can just be flagged and comes right down! BUT I do like that they don’t allow breeders-Kijiji does and it’s full of them. I almost wonder if Kijiji is making breeding more lucritive and frequent?

Anyways KUDOS to you all for your ads!!

[Ruffles&Daisy]

Why on Earth are you guys getting flagged? Is it considered spam to think twice before getting a pet bunny? How stupid. I’ve never been flagged.

[BunnyLiz]

Why are some people so flippin dumb and think we wanna sell our bunnies?!
Sonn84- maybe there are non forum member people, just readers of the site, that live in Ky and are seeing this and posting too…? Because I thought you were from Ky but couldnt remember for sure. But I dont remember any other members that are.

[kralspace]

I guess the rabbit sellers don’t like seeing our ads showing up along side of their Easter Bunnies For Sale ads 😉

I know it takes several people to flag you off so they must be getting a few friends to take the time to flag too.

Is it one of us posting the ad in the Dallas area, I’ve seen it several days now? We have several suspects, Sarita, Moobunny, etc? 😉

Watch out for those spam replies that want you to click a link or reply to their emails, they just want your computer to make contact with theirs, hit delete!

[kralspace]

Just got my 6th flag! 😉

It might be these people doing it, they’re listing the exact reasons for rehoming their rabbits as I mention in my ad:

“I am tring to rehome my two adorable rabbits. I would like them to stay together if they can. My son has lost intrest in them and I work full time and don’t have time to give them the love they need. They are lop eared rabbits and they are black and white. There is one male and one female. I need to find them a home this weekend! Call if interested ——“

[Sonn]

I have friends that are posting all over craigslist now and most of them don’t even have bunnies lol

[BunnyLiz]

There havent been any bunny related ads on my craigslist since I posted! hehe

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

I can’t figure out kijiji. It keeps telling me I’m violating the terms, but doesn’t give me a reason. Sigh.

Luckily. I’ve had nothing but positive responses on CL. The president of the the San Diego House Rabbit Society even emailed me to thank me! It seems like San Diegans are getting the message.

[TARM]

Rachel, can I use your post? It’s a little late now but I’d like to post it on my CL.

[jerseygirl]

I was thinking it might be a good thing to do some post easter ads also. To target those who did end up getting a rabbit this easter. An ad that directs them to useful resources in rabbit care etc. There may be a few browsing rabbit related ads looking for supplies, hutches and so on. Then there may be a few trying to rehome rabbits down the track. Being directed to some helpful resources might influence them into keeping their rabbits.

[Beka27]

I agree! That’s a great idea! We should do something with just a few bits aimed at helping them KEEP their rabbits. Proper diet, housing (no wire bottoms or hutches), necessity of spay/neuter, etc… along with a couple links to support each thing.

[BunnyLiz]

I agree thats a good idea. And telling to spay and neuter, that they will turn to evil buns when they hit maturity and its normal for that age. So they will hopefully not get scared and think their rabbit has gone wild for no reason and rehome them for that.

[TARM]

I just got flag number one. Reposting. :0)

[TARM]

OMG!!! Someone just sent me an email titled “RABBIT HATER”. The message says:

GET A LIFE AND STOP RUINING PEOPLES WANTS BY YOUR NEGATIVE BULLSH*T! ABOUT WHY NOT TO GET A RABBIT, LOSER

Yipes! I posted Rachel’s ad word for word…except I took out the words “for easter this year” and just started it with “Are you thinking about getting your kids a rabbit”.

[bigsis7]

What an a**hole!!

[Daisy1029]

I live in KY and someone posted a tips and care information on Craigslist in my area. It was great to see this posted as well as all the previous posts during the week for the Make Mine Chocolate campaign.

Tankandrangersmom- the person that sent you that email was apparently not a current bunny mom or they would understand why you posted the message. You are just trying to inform people of the great deal of responsibility they are committing to when adopting a rabbit. Please don’t take what he/she said to heart, you were doing a terrific thing.

[TARM]

I posted a reply on CL about my hate mail…lol  Someone else replied and thanked me for my ad to make up for the *nimrod* who called me a rabbit hater

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************

I posted an ad earlier about why parents shouldn’t buy rabbits for their kids. I got an email reply that went like this:

fromj h 
tocomm-bjkde-1119158391@craigslist.org

dateSun, Apr 12, 2009 at 6:54 PM
subjectRabbit Hater!
mailed-bycraigslist.org

hide details 6:54 PM (1 hour ago) Reply

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

GET A LIFE AND STOP RUINING PEOPLES WANTS BY YOUR NEGATIVE BULLSHIT! ABOUT WHY NOT TO GET A RABBIT, LOSER

Yipes! Here’s the thing. I have four rabbits. I love them dearly. I volunteer regularly with a rabbit rescue and my heart breaks every time I walk in there and see another one I’d like to take home with me. I see how many are dumped at shelters, I know how many are set loose because they’re no longer wanted. I know how many languish in commercially sold cages that are way too small for an animal that needs to stretch his or her legs. They aren’t just cute and fluffy toys. They’re real, live, feeling beings and too many of them are suffering in silence.

If, after reading the information in the other ad (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/…58391.html) and you still want a bunny? Great! Visit a shelter or rescue, check out some of the dozens right in these pages of CL that need homes. Or wait a few weeks and look at the dozens more that will be unwanted because other people bought rabbits for their kids as Easter presents and they turned out to be more work than anticipated. There’s no shortage of rabbits who need good families. Unfortunately good families who are willing to change their lifestyle in order to properly care for a rabbit are in short supply.

Before you purchse a rabbit from a pet store or a breeder…or adopt from a shelter, rescue, or private owner, PLEASE do your research. Spay or neuter your him or her so you wind up with a bunny with a sweet disposition and not a hormone raging hellion. Feed him or her lots of leafy greens to keep him happy and healthy. Interact with your rabbit daily and let him out of his cage to race around and binky in a bunny proofed room.

Rabbits DO make wonderful pets. Just not for everyone.
 

[2lops]

Ugh what a low life.. don’t pay any attention to them..your doing the right thing… never doubt it. (;

[Sonn]

i just got home from hosting a “care” class at my local shelter for anyone who attempted to adopt one of their ‘free’ rabbits for easter. The only way you were allowed to take one was to attend the care class lol.

I posted a caresheet of sorts on craigslist and my local forums in the first hour I had 67 emails 13 were threats lol and the rest were asking questions on what they should do now that they bought their new bunny from the flea market which was swarming with baby bunnies around here.

[kralspace]

aw TARMom, sorry you got that rotten email. Seems the only one who would have sent it was someone trying to make a buck off selling some, or else a kid whose parents read it and used it to wisely say NO! that means you did some good!

that’s a great idea to post some rabbit care and website helps for the post Easter time.

Maybe we can work on a series of them to post during the year on different themes.

[Author]

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