My Foster Rabbit Family :) UPDATED 5/7!

[Hokankai]

 Humane Society of Utah:  http://utahhumane.org/ 

For fostering: Call Barbara or Lisa at the shelter 261-2919 (ext. 215) or email: bconrad AT utahhumane DOT org. 

For adoptions check out: http://utahhumane.org/adoptions

 

So I started this thread to post updates, pics, and videos of my current foster family from the Utah Humane Society of a mama and her 5 kits. The story I got was that the mother was kept with a male and was not separated after she gave birth. The shelter currently has another litter of hers that was weaned, so they have THREE concurrent litters of hers . My job is to keep them as long as I can, and I’m planning on keeping them until the biddies (what I call the youngest litter) are weaned so she can get spayed. 

Currently, 1.5 babies have opened their eyes! They are 14 days old approximately and the white kit JUST opened one of its eyes. The blue tort had its eyes open yesterday, but hasn’t quite decided if he wants to use them yet . The white one however has been zooming around since its eye opened. 

Here are pics of everyone as of today:

Mama, who has been named Ebony

Chester: 5 weeks old

 

Cecilia: 5 weeks old

The biddies: 14 days

 

 

Eyes open on day 13!

and day 14

 

And my favorite baby pic so far: 

[Huckleberry]

Poor little Ebony. It’s great that her baby bearing days will soon be over! Those babies are precious. I love that little black one of the “biddies”. Cecilia and Chester look so much like their mommy. The video you posted on the other thread made my head explode. Thanks for sharing! I am glad they will all one day end up with well educated forever homes!!!!

[Hokankai]

I know! And I honestly have no idea how many previous litters she’s had because I don’t know how old she is. She does have a few white hairs on her back so she could be older…but I’m really hoping it was just these three .

[Pandorachik]

Aw! The “biddies” are adorable! You are so sweet for taking care of them for now!

[Hokankai]

Thanks! My wallet’s not too happy at the moment but I can’t say I don’t get anything out of it .

[LittlePuffyTail]

It’s so wonderful that you are helping out those adorable babies (and Mama). Must be very time consuming takings care of so many wee ones but I’m sure they pay you in back in cute.

That must be so hard on a bunny to have so many litters in a short time. I hope Mama gets a wonderful, forever home after she’s spayed where she can rest and be spoiled.

[Beka27]

Thank you for taking care of them. It must be very hard and time-consuming. They are fortunate to have a great foster mom!

[bunnyfriend]

Awh they are all so lucky you are taking good care of them! Thank you for doing that

[Hokankai]

 Day 15: Chubs and Curly (the white and brown ones…those are temporary names, LOL) have completely opened their eyes! Curly has been having problems with one of them getting crusty and sealing shut, so I have to wet it and open it every once in awhile. Hopefully that stops soon. Still waiting on Blackie to open his eyes.

 

So I think I’m going to return Chester and Cecelia once the biddies are out of the nest box and roaming because it’s going to get very crowded very fast. They’ll be about 6-7 weeks so they should be fine to go into other foster homes until they’re old enough to get spayed/neutered.

 

Video from yesterday, mama and the older kids outside: http://s594.photobucket.com/albums/tt29/hokankai/?action=view&current=DSCN3476.mp4

 

Today’s video!

Day 15: http://s594.photobucket.com/albums/tt29/hokankai/?action=view&current=DSCN3512.mp4

 

And pics

Chubs

 

Blackie

 

Curly

 

The munchkins

[KytKattin]

Oh my goodness, so cute! Curly looks to be the runt if I am not mistaken? I remember when my mom had and oops litter some 10 years ago and some of the babies had crusty eyes. We just wet them with warm water and a soft cloth like you are doing and they eventually grew out of it, so here are some vibes that the same thing happens with Curly!

[Jenner]

Oh. My. Goodness. Too cute!

[Hokankai]

 Day 16!

 

Everyone’s eyes are FINALLY open! Blackie just needed some help and a little warm water to open them. Here’s the video of them playing in the rabbit room and meeting Theodore

 

 

And some pics!

 

 

[Pandorachik]

I can tell that they are all going to be such beautiful bunnies! I can tell curly is one unique bun as well!
Such stunning pics, Thanks!

[emkvet]

I LOVE these updates! Such cuties! The teensy binkies are adorable!

[FlemishBlueBunny]

They are too Cute!! Momma is a beautiful!!!

[Huckleberry]

OHHHH MY GOOOODNESS! They are soooo adorable, I almost tearing up hahaha
I loved seeing little Chubs doing popcorn binkies and Blackie spinning in a circle. Curly’s little tail makes me so happy, I want to sit and play with it so much! SO CUTE! Thank you for sharing this!

[FrankieFlash]

I squealed a little watching this. I love how they start trying to nibble the tv. They’re so cute!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I love Curly trying to scratch himself with his foot but just can’t get the hang of it. Adorable.

[Hokankai]

 Day 17 <3

Everyone’s getting fluffier and eyes are opening wider! They’ve started nibbling hay and pellets but still don’t know how to drink out of a water bottle.

Tonight’s a big day! I’ll be weaning Chester and Cecelia in order to prepare them to head back to the shelter on Saturday to find other foster homes. They’re approximately 6 weeks old now, so they should be fine. I’m also removing the nest from the cage as the babies are 17 days old and it is no longer needed. Plus, it’s gross and I don’t want them to get sick from it.

Now for the best part, pics and vids:

Chubs loves to sleep…and he has some pretty interesting positions!

 

Blackie being adorable. He climbed up my shirt and decided to nap in the crook of my arm <3

 

And Curly’s fur update. He looks amazing!

 

 

This is me

[Sarita]

Hi, the baby photo’s are cute.

Can you please post a link to the Humane Society and contact information for possible adopters who are interested in adopting them. That will keep in the spirit of the Rescue Section so that this will help get the babies adopted :~)

[Hokankai]

The babies won’t be adopted out until they are spayed and neutered, so at least 4 months, but sure! Also, if any members are located near Salt Lake City I’m going to be leaving Utah at the end of April and all of Ebony’s babies will need foster homes until they’re ready to be adopted (except for Curly…he’s staying with me ).

Humane Society of Utah
http://utahhumane.org/
For fostering: Call Barbara or Lisa at the shelter 261-2919 (ext. 215) or email at bconrad AT utahhumane DOT org.
For adoptions check out: http://utahhumane.org/adoptions

[emkvet]

GAHHHHHH MY HEAD JUST EXPLODED! Such beautiful little babies! It seems like you’re doing a wonderful job with them. I hope the older ones get adopted soon after they’re fostered! (((adoption vibes)))

[Beka27]

I edited the initial post with the rescue’s contact info. I also fixed the email address. Please don’t put the full address on the site because spam bots will pick up on that are begin spamming. I just changed the “@” and “.” to “at” and “dot” spelled out.

[Hokankai]

Whoops, forgot about spambots -_-. Thanks!

[tobyluv]

Thank you for fostering all these bunnies. They are so precious. I hope that they quickly find forever homes when they go up for adoption.

[KytKattin]

Oh em gee! I want Chubs! lol. Such cute sleeping positions! Do you know the genders yet, or are they still to young to tell?

[Hokankai]

I’ll be able to tell the sex in about a month

Well, I weaned Chester and Cecelia last night and they’ll be heading back to the shelter in the morning to find new foster homes. I also took out the nest and the babies are already exploring the levels of the cage somewhat.

[Hokankai]

 The babies are 3 weeks old now! Chester and Cecelia were returned yesterday so I don’t feel too overwhelmed anymore

Chubs has been freaking adorable the last few days

I heard a weird noise coming from the cage and found this…

 

A size comparison between Curly and my Dwarf rat Oliver

 

Blackie being cute

 

And today’s video

[Hokankai]

Just in case anyone was curious….Curly will officially be mine!!! I got the call from the HS today and they okay’d it

[piperknitsRN]

Cuteness overload! You’re doing a great job of fostering!

[peppypoo]

Ohh my, adorable! Love the picture of Chubs being completely round .

Curly is really interesting! Can’t wait to see what his fur looks like as he gets older.

[emkvet]

Gahhhhhhh I just died. Such beautiful baby buns! I love love love these pictures. It seems like you’re doing a wonderful job with them. And that’s awesome your other little buns went into foster homes. Sending adoption vibes their way! And growing vibes to these little ones! =)

[equalsign]

Just wanted to say that I think it’s great that you’re doing this. I live in Provo and hobby-stalk the Utah Humane Society’s website all the time . It will be really cool to see them there looking for homes after seeing them as babies.

[Hokankai]

No way, I’m in Provo too! And yeah I used to stalk it all the time too, especially when my fosters are in . The Angora that’s up there now was also a foster of mine for a short while.

[equalsign]

Posted By ~KK~ on 03/15/2012 06:31 AM
No way, I’m in Provo too! And yeah I used to stalk it all the time too, especially when my fosters are in . The Angora that’s up there now was also a foster of mine for a short while.

Provo too? Way cool. I’ll still be here for another couple years while I finish my Food Science degree at BYU. Good luck wherever you’re going! Someday I hope to leave too. Feels so far off though .

 

I’ve totally seen that Angora like 50 times. She’s so cute! I have a weakness for gray rabbits . What kind of care does an Angora require anyways? I know you have to groom them frequently and get them trimmed sometimes, but is there anything else?

[Hokankai]

I’m at BYU, actually graduating in a month in Clinical Lab Science. After I’m done I’m heading back to the Pacific Northwest

Angora’s are pretty high maintenance. They need to be brushed a LOT and when they start to wool you have chunks of fur everywhere. Fifi is a really sweet bunny with a big personality. She’s more like a dog and hates are cage, haha. She’s house-trained though!

In other news, here’s an update for 3.5 weeks!

Curly is turning out to be extremely sweet and outgoing. When the biddies are out he likes to come sit on my lap for a bit and then run around and get some good binkies!

Chubs loves to eat and play, and is probably the most aloof of all of the biddies. He’s super sweet but would rather be running around than hand around me

Blackie is the shy and sweet one. He is tender and gentle, and when I took them outside for the first time all he wanted to do was crawl in my lap and cuddle. He also LOVES to climb which is super weird. I can’t ever get it on camera but he climbs the corners of cages!

I also decided to introduce them to Theodore and let them play, because both sides were very intrigued with the other. I actually started letting them play a week ago and it has been going GREAT. Theodore runs around, binkies, and lets the bubs follow him around and eat his food! He doesn’t mind when they wander around his cage and hang around his food bowl, so I think that’s a good sign

I got some ADORABLE vids of Theodore and the biddies this afternoon. The first is of him and Curly, and the other is just him binkying and playing with the biddies <3

[Huckleberry]

How do you get any work done or sleep with so much cuteness in the house? If it were me, you’d find me a week later in the bunny room, eyes bugging out and a smile from ear to ear and super smelly from not moving for a week.

[Hokankai]

I make sure to give myself plenty of bunny time . Also I study while I watch them. It’s definitely hard though! The chore aspect of it definitely keeps me grounded

[Hokankai]

Well, I think I’m a rabbit now! hahaha

I read through that behavior website and have been testing it on Ebony. This evening we touched noses and when I rested my chin on the edge of the cage she came up and started grooming my nose! I’m pretty sure that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever experience, LOL. I groomed her back (with my hand) and got tooth purrs and a very happy bunny.

[SamC]

These guys are so adorable. I love watching them run around. They are so lucky to be fostered in a nice home. Great job!

[Hokankai]

Well I have some very bad news….mom has started nesting. I had a hunch she might be pregnant when they brought her in because the babies were already a couple days old.

This will be the 4th litter of hers at the shelter…and I have a hunch they’re not going to be around for very long. Mom is very skinny, I can feel her ribs even though she has a constant supply of pellets, and I think nursing for another 6 weeks might do her in.

Sigh

[equalsign]

Good luck .

[LittlePuffyTail]

The mom of the 3 babies you have now?

Why didn’t the shelter spay her?

[Hokankai]

Yup, that’s her. They didn’t spay her because she was in the middle of nursing two litters…

I got an email from the shelter saying to bring in the new babies when they’re born and let mom take care of the ones now. That’ll give her 2 more weeks of nursing and then she’ll be spayed a week later. No more babies from this little mama.

[Sarita]

Why would you bring in the newborns? That doesn’t make sense at all to me – who is going to nurse the new ones? That is wrong….you should bring in the current litter not the newborns.

I cannot understand how she could have had 4 litters at the humane society either…

[Hokankai]

I have a feeling they’re probably going to euthanize the babies or find a foster mother for them, but I can’t afford to worry about what happens to them. The only reason I assume that much is LAST time this happened, when I had the white rabbits and the mom had a very surprising litter of NINE (and this was my first time owning rabbits), they asked me to bring in the mom and newborns right away. I didn’t…because I was afraid she’d abandon them. But I haven’t heard anything about mama or those nine babies since, and they usually call me to update on their progress and when they’ve been adopted. Those babies would be up for adoption now I think.

No no, she was brought in with three litters. The owner brought in her, two 2 month olds, two 1 months olds, and four 3-4 day olds. I picked them up the day they were brought into the shelter, meaning she was already fertilized the fourth time when I got her. She was obviously housed with a male, so the minute she had babies she was pregnant again…and again over and over. She’ll be spayed in probably 3-4 weeks, a week after I wean the current litter.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Why don’t they fix her now?

[Hokankai]

Because:

A) she’s about to give birth
B) she still has at least two more weeks of nursing to do

C) once they’re weaned you want to give the female’s body a week to recover from pregnancy/nursing  before you perform major surgery
D) I can’t afford to drive 45 minutes there and back multiple times. I plan on going up to drop off the newborns and one last time to drop off mom, Chubs, and Blackie

at this point it doesn’t matter when she gets spayed. The problem was before she got to the shelter, not after. We’re just dealing with the rest of the previous owners’ mistakes and irresponsibility. She doesn’t have access to any unneutered males now and the babies will be going into other foster homes until they’re ready to be spayed/neutered, so there’s no risk of her kids getting her preggo. Once they’re weaned Ebony won’t be with any other rabbits while she’s intact. 

[LittlePuffyTail]

I hope they don’t euthanize the babies. How awful.

[Sarita]

Well that’s unfortunately the sad side of rescue work – you cannot rescue them all. Rescue/humane/SPCA organization have limited funds, space, and money to care for every single animal that comes through their doors. It’s sad.

That’s why education is so important as well as spaying and neutering. And education about care and spaying and neutering should be done at breeders, petstores, rescues, organizations such as 4H and FFA as well.

[Beka27]

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR BB MEMBERS:

NOW would be the time to contact the HS if anyone is in this area and is seriously interested in one of the babies they saw. If you offer specifics, they may be able to arrange something to hold the bunny for you. This should reduce the chance of him/her being euthanized. Maybe message KK directly thru the message center so you can get her info to give to the shelter. Then you can contact them saying “I am “so and so”, I spoke with “KK’s real name” and she is fostering a bunny I am interested in adopting from you when he/she is ready…”

[Hokankai]

Just to be clear, Chubs and Blackie will definitely NOT be euthanized. The only rabbits whose fortunes are unknown are the unborn kits in Ebony’s belly.

Just wanted to make sure people weren’t worried too much.

Chubs and Blackie will be going to other foster homes (let me know if you’re interested in that) and will be ready for adoption in approximately 4 months once they’ve been fixed.

[Hokankai]

The biddies are 4 weeks old now and have exploded in size over the last couple of days!  

It’s so cute, whenever I take the biddies to play in the rabbit room Theodore waits by the door of his cage and starts digging to get out. Once I let him out he zooms around and binkies all over! He even dead bunny flopped in the middle of the floor until Chubs ran into him . He’ll get a couple more weeks of play time until their little hormones arrive!

Chubs appears to be very blind, haha, which isn’t too uncommon for REWs. He still gets along juuuust fine and just finds himself running into things more often. He probably needs to be the only bun because he can’t really read the other rabbit’s body language. He also was the first to dead bunny flop for me today!

Here’s a video of Chubs doing the “scanning” behavior seen in rabbits with very poor eyesight

Blind bunny disapproves

Blackie is a sweetie and is getting a very nice mane! He’s also mama’s boy and is always cuddled up next to her

Curly is getting crazier looking everyday! He’s currently been dry-sneezing every so often and had yellow goop in the fur around his eyes so I got in contact with the foster coordinator to see what to do about it

And this pic is actually from a few days ago, but they posed themselves and I couldn’t resist taking a pic

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Can you feel the babies? Rabbit gestation is about 30 days, And you’ve had her 25 days, which would mean that she got pregnant while you have had her, which seems unlikely. She could just Be dealing with a false pregnancy since she’s had so many litters on top of each other.

[Hokankai]

No she’s due any day now, probably tonight. I’ve had them for almost exactly a month which is when she was brought in. When I palpated her I’m pretty sure I felt a leg or two push against my hand.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Ooh I must’ve misread, I though you said she was due in 2 weeks. Losin it that’s really unfortunate, that guy should be fined. I wish I could foster the mama and the new kits! Poor little love.

[Hokankai]

 Here are some pics of dear little Ebony. I just palpated her again (for one, she’s HEAVY) and she’s either pregnant or extremely bloated. When I palpated I definitely felt something twitch in her abdomen and it didn’t feel like intestine to me!

 

 

 

she wasn’t a fan

[FrankieFlash]

Poor Ebony. I hope this poor mama gets a break.

[KytKattin]

Poor Ebony. I am sure you already are, but are you feeding her alfalfa, unlimited alfalfa based pellets, and other high nutrient foods to help with all the energy she is expending? I am sure you are, it’s just that is something I could see myself forgetting to do as I am so used to feeding for house bunnies only.

What a tough situation you and the rescue are in. I don’t envy it, and I honestly don’t even know if I could be as closely involved as you are without trying to save them all. Though I also understand the reality that even 1-2 more babies are so much more strain, time, money, etc for the shelter, and that is 1-2 other bunnies (especially with Easter coming up) that will end up euthanized if the kits are kept because the rescue won’t be able to take them. There just doesn’t seem to be a winning solution here. I really commend you for what you are doing. Keep up the amazing work.

[equalsign]

Any updates ?

[Hokankai]

Yes! Wow the site has been down for a long time, haha.

First of all Ebony, Chester, and Cecilia have all been adopted!  I’m sure Shasta and Delilah will be once they’re old enough ^_^ 

So, Ebony WAS pregnant again…with SEVEN kits. They were taken to a rescue to be bottle fed because they wanted Ebony fixed as soon as possible. I have not been updated since they were returned. Here’s a pic of those babies:

As for the other three, they all turned out to be girls and were dubbed Shasta (Blackie), Delilah (Chubs), and Ariadne (Curly)! I adopted Ariadne before I moved out of state, and the other two were returned to go to another foster home. 

Everyone was weaned at 6 weeks and returned to the humane society at 7 weeks (except for Ariadne). 

Here are some pics I took of Ariande after her sibs were gone

And a week later she started to lose her curl and grow her mane. It’s possible her adult coat will be curly, but we’ll see

This is her, at 10 weeks old and all settled in here in WA. She’s been bonded to Theodore, my Holland lop, and living with him consistently since we arrived here 2 weeks ago. It was super easy since she grew up around him and he’d been meeting her since she was 3 weeks old. There was a little humping here and there, but he’s so laid back that it wasn’t an issue. I was worried about the two day car trip to WA (I graduated!), but they did well in the small travel cage and he only tried to hump her the first night in the hotel. They love each other and there has been NO aggression and it’s been a great advantage having a deaf bunny with a hearing one. He calms her down because he doesn’t react to scary sounds, and she gets him out and exploring. I often walk in on them laying side by side and they love to groom each other. She’ll be spayed once she’s old enough.

[Lauri&Chanel]

They are SOOOO cute!! I just wanna squish them!

[KytKattin]

Thank you for the update! Glad to know everything is going well. Look at all that hair on Ariande!!! I wonder if she will get even more hair as she gets older!

[peppypoo]

Oh wow, a big difference since your last update! Adriadne has such a unique coat, and looks like quite the big girl already considering her age. I’m sure she’ll grow up to be a big beautiful bunny!

[Hokankai]

Ariadne is the same size as Theo right now, and he’s 2.5 lbs. I’m curious to see how she turns out

[LittlePuffyTail]

I just love Ariadne. Interesting name. And pretty. But I think I will always know her as curly!

[Hokankai]

Got some pics of them the other day out in the sun!

[equalsign]

Thanks for the updates. Washington looks like a real bunny paradise! I see that Blackie has popped up on the Humane Society website. I’m surprised they spayed her so young. Any idea of what happened to Chubbs?

[Hokankai]

That’s not my Blackie . The other two babies are in the computer at the shelter as Shasta and Delilah, so keep an eye out for them in the coming months!

[Author]

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