Let’s start working up our Easter messages early!

[kralspace]

I put a post it note on my computer to remind me to bring this subject up early this year….lol

Let’s get all our ideas together about informational ads and messages (to post on Craigslist, etc) so we’ll be ready for the dreaded “Let’s Get the Kids a Cute Bunny for Easter” season.

I have some saved on my home computer and I know we have a lot in posts from last year, maybe we can get them all together here and work on them so they’ll be ready for people to cut and paste.

[jerseygirl]

We’re on the same wave length kralspace. : ) I’ve been thinking about this the past couple days also.
I did it last year and I only got positive responses from people. It’s really not too early when you consider the marketing machine is already in Easter mode. So we definately should hop to it!
I’ll make mention the site http://www.makeminechocolate.org for anyone who’s unaware of that campaign.

[LoveChaCha]

I would like to be apart of this

[peppypoo]

I would definitely like to be a part of this as well! I’ve considered talking to my local pet shops that sell bunnies about putting pamphlets in the store to further educate potential bunny-buyers about what it takes to be a responsible bunny parent. Anybody think this is a good/bad idea? I don’t know how well the owners would take it, but it couldn’t hurt to try, right?

[FluffyBunny]

I actually just wrote one up the other day. This version is specifically made for sites like Craigslist. If anyone wants to use it, they’re welcome to.
—–
Hey, wait up a second! Before you click the “back” button or look for my contact info, think. Why do you want a baby bunny?
Bunnies are not good pets for young children. By adopting or buying a rabbit, you are making a commitment to care for that bunny
for the rest of his or her life – which could be as long as 15 years!

Rabbits are not always the submissive, cuddly creatures that you see on TV and in photos. In fact, it’s not uncommon
for rabbits to be shy and aggressive. Rabbits can also be very destructive.

Rabbits are not cheap. Female rabbits have up to a 70% chance of developing uterine cancer by age 5 if left unspayed.
Rabbits can suffer from broken backs and other serious injuries from being mishandled.
They’re considered “exotics” by most vets, so even simple health problems can cost hundreds of dollars.

Rabbits should never be kept in an outdoor hutch. In addition to predators and sudden weather changes, there are many other dangers that an outdoor
bunny faces. In addition, most of the cages and hutches that are marketed for rabbits are actually far too small for a rabbit.
Rabbits who do not have space to run are much more prone to develop serious health problems.

Rabbits also need to have a proper diet. Pellets with nuts, seeds, and/or dried fruit can cause serious digestive upsets.
It’s also very important for a rabbit to have access to unlimited grass hay. A proper rabbit diet consists of unlimited
hay, plain timothy pellets, and fresh, leafy green vegetables.

I hope that I haven’t entirely scared you away from the idea of having a pet rabbit. When they’re cared for properly,
rabbits make fantastic pets! They’re very intelligent animals, and can be taught to use a litter box and do simple tricks.
With a little time, they can become very affectionate, social animals. I have two pet rabbits of my own. They’re a great joy to have around,
and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

If you’re still interested in having a pet rabbit, I suggest that you take a look around the following sites:

http://www.rabbit.org/ – The House Rabbit Society’s website. A great collection of articles about rabbit care.
https://binkybunny.com/ – A fun house rabbit site with active forums, several articles about rabbit care, and even a shop
with lots of bunny-friendly toys and treats.
http://www.makeminechocolate.org/ – More info about why rabbits are bad Easter gifts.

[jerseygirl]

Good work FB! That is nicely rounded. I think some readers of these ads think they’re anti-rabbit or from “rabbit-haters”. I think adding that you have your own really shows you’re an advocate.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By peppypoo on 02/16/2011 11:48 AM

I would definitely like to be a part of this as well! I’ve considered talking to my local pet shops that sell bunnies about putting pamphlets in the store to further educate potential bunny-buyers about what it takes to be a responsible bunny parent. Anybody think this is a good/bad idea? I don’t know how well the owners would take it, but it couldn’t hurt to try, right?

Certainly. There is nothing to lose really.  You could even contact your local HRS chapter, a rabbit rescue or or relevant organisations to see if they have anything ready-made. Make Mine Chocolate also has some things you can print out and distribute.

I take a locally printed booklet into some pet stores and fodder stores. So far, I’ve found they are grateful for someone to provide this sort of thing. They have had them in the past and run out.  

 

[peppypoo]

A few months ago, when I was first considering talking to local bunny-selling pet shops about placing brochures (but never got around to it for various reasons), I took a moment on my computer and quickly drafted up some ideas.  I didn’t want it to be too wordy to deter people from reading, but there were so many things that I felt were essential, and I guess I tend to be kind of verbose in any case. 

Suggestions? I’ve uploaded the flyer on web server; clicking the link will immediately direct you to download my pdf.

blugummybearz.webs.com/Bunny.pdf

[jerseygirl]

I have a tendency to be verbose and your flyer did not seem that way at all. It was not too much & easy to read in my opinion. I think the larger font helps.
Only one suggestion; where you have written “Rabbits need a cage (at least 4x his/her size), but also need several hours of exercise
each day out in the open” I would maybe change it to “out of cage time” or something like that. Just thinking people might think “in the open” means as in the great outdoors, in a park, in a field… etc

[Beka27]

HERE are the HRS Easter Flyers.  Lots of good info here.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Yup, it’s never too early. Now that Valentine’s Day is over Easter is going to be full-swing in the stores. Last year I put an Easter Bunny ad on kijiji for the first time. I was concerned about getting negative angering responses (there a lot of idiots on those ad sites) but the only responses I got were positive. I’m going to do it again this year. Unfortunately, I can’t post the ad that I had last year as our computer crashed and I lost all my animal rights docs. So I’d like to see your ads to get some ideas.

I always wear my “MakeMineChocolate Rabbit Ribbon” pin which always sparks conversation. It’s such a shame they are no longer making them; they are beautiful. For the last 3 or 4 years I go to the local pet/feed stores and post “MakeMineChocolate” posters. One year I posted them at the evil chain pet store. Just outside the glass on the door. Obviously I knew they would remove it because they are the ones selling the Easter Bunnies. I just posted it outside on the glass so by the time the manager notices it to take it down, many people seen it. I went back and posted it back up 2 more times!!!! They must have been pretty annoyed with me!!! I’m a rabbit activist and they can’t stop me!!! Might do it again this year.

I was going to start a thread so I guess I will just bring it up here: I am planning on starting a website/facebook page for my province about rabbit advocacy. Where rabbit lovers can go and get information on rabbit campaigns (from Peta, Rabbit Advocates, etc) all in one place. I will also post anything local rabbit-related. What do you think? Any ideas? There is nothing like this in the maritime provinces; I’ve looked high and low on the internet. It’s a great time to start it at Easter. I was thinking of calling it “New Brunswick Rabbit Advocates” and making Stormy the mascot (since he started me on the rabbit advocacy road). Any other name suggestions welcome.

I was thinking my website could also try to raise money to donate to rabbit rescues by selling crafts I make, etc. A few years ago I put together a big, beautiful Easter Gift Basket and sold raffle tickets to family/friends/coworkers and I donated all the money to RabbitRescue.ca. It was a lot of fun and the winner was really excited.

[kralspace]

a link to BinkyBunny’s page about what a bunny really costs would be eye-opening too.

[peppypoo]

I just called up two out of the three (phone to the third wouldn’t accept calls or something, strange) local bunny-selling exotic pet stores. The first one said I’d have to come in on Monday to approve with the manager, but that they did have an open return policy and stress to the buyers that pets can be returned at no cost if they become problematic. The guy I talked to said that this happens with intermittent frequency, and they try to find the returnees good homes. The second shop said I could bring the flyers in and have them approved, but they do have “their own methods” to to make sure people aren’t just buying for the Easter novelty rush.

While both stores were kind of vague on exactly what they do, it makes me feel better inside that they are aware of the problem to some extent, and have some sort of way to maybe try and stem it. Of course, they are pet shops in the end, and therefore inherently perpetuating a problematic cycle, but their responses were honestly better than I expected. I think I’ll print out the flyer I made up and the 9 myths about bunnies flyer from the HRS and head to the second shop this afternoon. I’m so excited! Anything to help little buns

[peppypoo]

Just got back from visiting one of the pet shops! I gave the manager both flyers, and she looked them over for a bit. Meanwhile, I was looking at the baby bunnies…OMG, SOOOO CUTE!!!!  Even with my mission, it was hard not to be sucked in by the cute high of little bunny loafs that could fit in my hand…they had little tan dutches, black dutches, broken patterned buns, and even this little blue lop that I wanted to stick in my pocket and take home!!!!

Anyways.  The manager came back to me and said that she 100% agrees with everything on both flyers, and thinks it would be a good idea to photocopy and distribute them in the store.  Hooray! One caveat though; she said she wants me to remove the part on the flyer I made about how bunnies won’t stink if taken care of properly and spayed/neutered, because there’s always *somebody* that will come back complaining that their bunnies smell.  Eh, fair enough.  She also said that in addition to putting the flyers near the baby bunny pens, she would include one in each bunny starter package.  As much as I cringed at the thought of “bunny packages” that would inevitably include some unhealthy food and too-small cage, I figured I’m not about to dissuade them from selling bunny packages, so including the information is at least some kind of small victory.  Can’t win it all, I guess.

Hopefully some good will come out of my work and maybe some little buns can be helped! I’m going to the second shop on Monday when the manager is in.  I think I’ll try to drop by the third (that didn’t pick up the phone) sometime…it’s actually the same store as the one I went to today, just at a different location.  Not sure how the management works, though.  Hopefully the trips will go as well as this one

I’m all happy right now after my reasonably successful mission, hehe.  Or maybe just still on a baby bunny cute high!  *BINKYBINKYBINKY* 

[jerseygirl]

Peppy, you got straight to it! Well done!
 

One caveat though; she said she wants me to remove the part on the flyer I made about how bunnies won’t stink if taken care of properly and spayed/neutered, because there’s always *somebody* that will come back complaining that their bunnies smell.

What about a re-wording? Something like:
“Controlling any odours is easy by regular cleaning habitat & litter boxes and using a good paper based or pelleted wood litter . Having both female and male rabbits neutered will also reduce urine smells.”

OR

“Rabbits are clean animals and really do not smell. Their urine can smell but this can be reduced by having rabbits spayed or neutered. Also, regular house keeping of their habitat and using a good paper based or pelleted wood litter manages odours.”
You could probably grammatically state it better  then I have. : P 
 

I think I’ll try to drop by the third (that didn’t pick up the phone) sometime…it’s actually the same store as the one I went to today, just at a different location. Not sure how the management works, though. Hopefully the trips will go as well as this one

If it’s a chain store you could always mention that the manager at so-and-so store has approved of distributing the flyers. Might make the decision easier for the manager of this store.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Great work, PeppyPoo! I’m quite surprised and very pleased at the positive reaction from the manager! That’s awesome!

[peppypoo]

Thanks guys! Least I can do for my little buns that have given me so much joy

I changed the un-smelly rabbits part to “Indoor rabbit odors can be decreased by spaying/neutering and appropriate litter care.”  Jersey, I liked a lot of your suggestion but my document was running of the page and I really didn’t want to make it two pages, heh.  So I tried to condense the essence of your examples into something that would fit into one line.  Oh and, I did change the part about exercising “in an open area” to “out-of-cage exercise”.

If I can do it, everybunny else can do it too! I’m sure we have lots of bunny-selling pet stores between all of us; imagine the number of bunnies we could help!  If anybody wants my flyer, I can email it in a .doc form so you can make it area-specific or edit whatever you see fit.

Off I go to make copies and distribution envelopes!

[jerseygirl]

**Bump!**

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m planning on taking the day Monday to post flyers around the City. Any ideas for where I can post other than the pet and feed stores?

I was out shopping with Mom yesterday and she made me take her to Pets Unlimited (which I hate and never shop there and she knows how I feel but she only shops there to get bones for her dog that our usual non-pet selling store doesn’t carry). Anyways, despite myself, I was curious to see if they had any bunnies or if they were stocking up for Easter…yup…2 cages of Holland Lops. They were so cute and I know how easy it would be for someone un-educated to scoop them up. Blast the infernal cuteness of rabbits! So we need to get the word out…because those little Holland Lop faces say “Take me home…I’m adorable!”

I’m also going to put up my kijiji ad this weekend/early next week. I think this year I will put a picture of one of my buns because I know that picture ads get much more attention. Although I hate to post a pic of my adorable bunnies and say “don’t buy a bunny”. Any help with my ad appreciated.

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