Twin Lakes Rabbitry

04/29/2026

✨ Not every rabbit is a pet. Calm down, Read something.

Not every rabbit is a “pet,” and no, that does not mean it’s unloved, abused, or starring in some sad film in your head. Some of y’all hear “not a pet” and immediately start typing like you just discovered cruelty for the first time in your life. Relax. Drink some water. Learn something.

Rabbits are livestock. *Gasp* Clutch the pearls. Scream if you must. That doesn’t make them disposable and it sure as heck doesn't make rabbitry owners evil. I run a rabbitry, not a horror franchise. There’s no ominous music, no shadowy cages, no villain monologue where I whisper “I hate rabbits” while twirling my mustache.

It’s just cleaning constantly, proper diets, enrichment, occasionally pulling your own hair out , and intentional breeding done by people who actually know what a rabbit needs instead of what looks cute online.

This idea that love only counts if an animal lives inside, wears pajamas, and has a TikTok following is… unwell. Some animals have jobs. Some animals have purposes. That doesn’t mean they’re mistreated. It means they’re being respected for what they are instead of being shoved into a Disneyfied pet fantasy so humans can feel morally superior for five seconds.

And calling every rabbit a “pet” isn’t activism, babe. It’s misinformation. It erases the reality of livestock animals, demonizes breeders, and makes real conversations impossible because everyone’s too busy projecting feelings onto animals instead of listening to people who actually work with them.

So no, my rabbits aren’t “just pets,” and no, they are not unloved. They are livestock, they are well cared for, and they are raised by people who give a crap.

If that makes you uncomfortable, that’s a you problem, not a rabbitry problem. 🐇💅

And before anyone gets brave in the comments... there is absolutely nothing wrong with your rabbit being a beloved family pet. Truly! Indoor bunnies, spoiled bunnies, free roam couch potatoes living their best little lives? Love that for them. Pet rabbits deserve good care, respect, and protection too. But your way of loving rabbits is not the only correct way, and my way of raising them isn’t wrong just because it looks different. Multiple things can be true at once. Advocate for rabbits without throwing rabbitry owners under the bus.

Anywho happy Wednesday y'all 🙃

03/16/2026

Hope everyone stayed safe in this storm

03/14/2026

This! 💯

Let’s talk about non-refundable deposits for a minute, because apparently this is still a mysterious concept to some people.

A deposit means you’re reserving that rabbit. It means I’m taking that rabbit off the market for you. It means while other people are messaging, ready to pay in full, I’m telling them “Sorry, this bun is spoken for.” So no, I will not hold a rabbit for you without a deposit. I love my rabbits, but I’m not running a free bunny layaway program based on vibes and pinky promises.

If you message me asking me to “just hold it for a little while,” or trying to guilt trip me because “my kid really wants it,” or “I get paid next week,” or “I promise I’m serious,” please understand… I’ve heard it all before. Every single variation. The classics. The remixes. The deluxe edition.
And unfortunately, experience has taught me that “I promise I’ll come back” often translates to “I will vanish into the abyss and never respond again.” Meanwhile that rabbit could have gone to someone who was ready and committed.

Non-refundable deposits exist because I’ve already lived through the alternative. The “hold it for me” crowd who disappear. The last minute cancellations. The ghosting. The people who swear they’re picking up tomorrow and then suddenly develop amnesia. It happens way more than you’d think. So yes, deposits are non-refundable. Not because I’m mean, not because I’m trying to be difficult, but because my time matters, my rabbits matter, and my program deserves respect.

And just to be clear, these policies aren’t aimed at anyone specific. They’re the result of years of experience dealing with every creative excuse, story, and disappearing act imaginable. If you can think of it, chances are I’ve already seen it play out.

The good news? For the amazing, respectful people who are serious about giving one of my rabbits a home, this process is simple and drama-free. Deposit down, rabbit reserved, everyone’s happy.
But if deposits make you mad… that’s probably a sign we weren’t going to be a great match anyway.

✨ Boundaries. They’re beautiful.✨

02/27/2026

Snickers was put on transport on Feb 21st, she is now safely in Wisconsin with her new person, who is already smitten with her. 🥰🥰🥰

02/03/2026

Yes yes yes

✨ Educate, don't humiliate ✨

Okay, unpopular opinion / spicy rant incoming ☕️

Social media naturally turns into little communities, especially in niche spaces like homesteads/Rabbitry/animals. We find our people, we swap notes, we learn, we grow. Love that for us.

However.
You do not have to be friends with everyone. I certainly am not. And if I see you constantly being negative, constantly in people’s comments just to stir the pot, constantly hopping from rabbitry group to rabbitry group with a loud know it all attitude instead of actually trying to help… yeah, we are never gonna vibe. I hate that for us. Truly.

There’s a huge difference between educating and performing superiority.

❌ “Wow, that setup is wrong, you clearly shouldn’t be breeding.”
✅ “Hey! Just a heads up—X can cause issues long-term. Here’s what’s worked better for me.”

See the difference? One helps. The other just screams chronically online and bored.

And let’s talk about this part, because it matters...
A LOT of the posts people feel the need to comment on out of “concern” are from newer breeders. People who are still learning. People who want to do better. People who are usually very open to respectful feedback.

When you jump down someone’s throat publicly, you’re not “saving rabbits”, you’re shaming someone into a corner where they’re afraid to ask questions ever again. And that helps literally no one. If you actually care about animals, your goal should be education, not humiliation.

Yes, sometimes people do need correction, especially when it comes to animal care. But why are we dragging folks in the comments, being condescending, or turning it into a spectacle? A private message or a kinder tone goes so much further than dogpiling someone who’s still figuring things out.

And honestly… I can’t imagine being that miserable all the time. Waking up every day like, “Who can I scold in a rabbit group today?” Couldn’t be me.

This space should be about:
🐰 sharing knowledge
🐰 encouraging proper practices
🐰 supporting newer breeders
🐰 advocating for rabbits without tearing humans down

We all started somewhere. None of us came out of the womb knowing everything about breeding, husbandry, or best practices. A little grace and love go a long way, and we all deserve that. 👏🏼

If you’re here to learn, grow, and do better... welcome, we love you.
If you’re here to be loud, rude, and negative 24/7… maybe log off, touch some hay (don't do this if you are allergic like me 😆), and reflect.

"Be the light for others, not the reason they have darkness"

It just boils my blood so much to see the hate, I had to get off my chest.
Anyway.... Rant over.

01/29/2026

When working with shaded varieties, we also work with Ruby-Eyed Whites (REWs) that are shaded-safe (meaning they are not genetically agouti and do not carry chocolate).

One of the first steps I take when acquiring a REW is test breeding, once the animal is of appropriate age.

For many REWs bred here, we have a strong understanding of their underlying genetics. For example, when smoke is bred to smoke and a REW results, we know that the REW is genetically blue. However, because we also work with martens and have dilute carriers in the program, the genetic background of some REWs is not always immediately clear.

This is where the blue seals I often reference and love having in my barn, become invaluable.

By breeding a REW to a blue seal (self-based and dilute), we can determine whether the REW is self- or marten-based or whether it carries dilute. In some cases, more than one litter is required for full confirmation, but blue seals typically allow us to obtain answers efficiently (especially because they cannot produce more REWs from that pairing).

For example, with Steven’s SST2 “Agnes,” a ruby eyed white doe, we initially did not know whether she was self-based or whether she carried dilute. After breeding her to GC Woods Mill’s Smoke and Mirrors, the resulting litter included a sable, a sable marten, and a smoke marten.

From this outcome, we were able to confirm that SST2 “Agnes” is a black-based marten that carries dilute.

This information is extremely valuable when making informed pairing decisions moving forward as smokes and smoke martens are our ultimate goal. As an added benefit, both her sable and sable marten offspring are dilute carriers.

What breeding decisions do you make regularly to gain more information about your breed/varieties/genetics/etc?

01/25/2026

Himi buck 👀 for a new 🏠

01/24/2026

“What do they do when it’s so cold?!”

Oh you know, the usual. They wake up and immediately start being ridiculous. Before the sun is even up, there’s goofing off, bowls mysteriously peed in, and objects tossed around like they’re testing gravity for nasa. There is typically a brief cuddle recharge so their antics can continue will full force. All followed by the sweetest, most innocent looks you’ve ever seen. It’s full time Main Character Syndrome, and they commit to it daily.

So yes. Even during a polar vortex, life here doesn’t change much. The routines don’t change. They’re still alert, curious, demanding and opinionated. When they are struggling, they slow down, they stop eating, they withdraw. That’s not what I see. What I see are animals that are comfortable in their environment because it’s been set up for them properly.

I’ve seen people confidently state exact temperature limits, like rabbits somehow come with a factory set cut off. But real life doesn’t work that way. Rabbits have lived alongside humans for centuries in harsh northern temps, long before climate control existed. Breeders have already lived it, learned, adjusted, and kept what worked. Thick coats, good shelter, dry bedding, wind protection, and unlimited hay make a bigger difference than a number on a thermometer ever could. You can’t argue it when the evidence is success.

I’ve said it before I’ll say it again!! People who care deeply about their animals, and rely on their animals, don’t gamble with their well being!! ⭐️⭐️

We pay attention. We adjust when something isn’t right. Cold itself isn’t the enemy. Dampness, wind, neglect, and poor husbandry are.
Rabbits don’t just survive winter, they thrive during it.

01/24/2026

Everyone stay safe out there today with the impending winter storm coming.

01/23/2026

Sad day ahead of me. This is a first for me, to experience a wound like this. My beautiful, sweet lilac otter boy broke his leg. Snapped the bone and the leg is starting to twist. He is suffering and I can’t stand it. The location and severity of it requires him to be humanely culled. Amputation is not an option and he would not thrive on having one back leg, it would only cause more problems in the future.