Hamish House Rabbit Rescue Alliance

19/07/2025

Oh piggies!

https://www.facebook.com/100064769586854/posts/1172582371577405/

18/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100044249508306/posts/1307600630724908/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

‘Brachycephalic Syndrome’

Many people are now familiar with the term ‘brachycephalic’ in reference to flat-faced dog and cat breeds, but did you know, this same condition impacts small mammals too?

Rodents and rabbits are increasingly being bred with unnaturally short, flattened skulls in pursuit of a ‘cute’ baby-faced look. This often comes at a serious cost to the animal’s health and welfare.

Some of the potential medical problems include:

🔸 Dental Disease: Shortened skulls mean overcrowded teeth, poor occlusion, and overgrown molars are more likely.
🔸 Difficulty Thermoregulating: Narrowed airways and malformed sinuses can increase risk of heat stress, especially in warm weather or during illness.
🔸 Increased Anaesthetic Risk: Due to compromised airways and abnormal soft tissue structures, airway control may be difficult during even routine procedures.
🔸 Chronic Respiratory Issues: A compromised upper airway may leave these animals more vulnerable to infections and ongoing breathing difficulties.
🔸 Jaw Misalignment: Skull abnormalities can cause painful joint strain during chewing and grooming.

Please avoid supporting unethical breeders or pet shops, always do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
If you already care for a brachycephalic rabbit or rodent, they absolutely deserve the same love and compassion as any other animal. That’s why it’s so important to understand the potential health issues they may face. Knowing what to watch for and ensuring they receive regular veterinary check-ups can make all the difference to their comfort, wellbeing, and quality of life. 💞

(Image credit of rabbits: RWAF)

11/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100064782966204/posts/1150436407125781/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Help us bridge the gap in small animal adoption awareness!

How is it that pet stores constantly sell out of small animals—restocking weekly or monthly—while local small animal rescues sit with the same overlooked animals, day after day, waiting for homes?

A conversation with a friend this morning really hit this point home.

She’s a local pet sitter, and I told her I had recently referred one of our past adopters to her. But I don’t get to do that often. Why?

Because most of our chinchilla adoptions (and other small animal adoptions) go to families outside our immediate area—well beyond her service range. And she asked, why is that?

It’s not intentional. But here’s what we believe is happening:

1. Small animal adoption isn’t top-of-mind.
When people think of pet adoption, they think dogs and cats. Small animals like chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, reptiles, and others? They’re often an afterthought—if they’re thought of at all.

2. Convenience trumps compassion.
Walk into any chain pet store, and you can walk out with a small animal, no questions asked. No screening. No education. No foster process. Just instant gratification.

3. Distance is a barrier—but maybe not how you think.
Many of our adopters do travel hours to meet and adopt the right pet. But there’s still a large portion of the population that simply won’t. And unlike cat/dog rescues, small animal rescues are few and far between.

4. People only seek out rescues... when they’re surrendering.
Most local folks who contact us aren’t looking to adopt—they’re looking to rehome. That already takes them out of the adoption pool.

5. The bystander effect is real.
You post an animal online and 100 people comment that they want it—but they’re scattered across the country. Locals scroll past because they assume someone else closer has already stepped up. But no one has.

So how do we fix this?
How can we educate more people—especially locally—that small animal rescues exist? That these animals need homes just as much as those in shelters? That adoption is an option?

We're open to ideas, because these animals deserve better than being forgotten while retail shelves get emptied over and over again.

08/07/2025

**“My Bunny Just Skipped Breakfast” … and Other Famous Last Words 🐰💨**

GI stasis sounds fancy—but it's just a terrifying way of saying your rabbit’s gut has *slowed down or stopped entirely*.
And trust us: in a prey animal, this is **a full-on emergency**, not just a moody moment.

Luckily for one very observant foster-to-adopt bunny parent today, they noticed something off:
No p**p, no appetite, a little lethargy… and they didn’t wait to *Google it into the void*.
They called us, and we got to work.

Here’s what early intervention looked like:
🩹 Sub-q fluids (to rehydrate and get things moving)
💊 Pain meds (because GI stasis *hurts*, and pain slows the gut more)
🧪 E. cuniculi treatment (since that can sometimes be the culprit)
🥄 Critical Care by syringe (like bunny Ensure, but greener)
💨 Gas drops (simethicone—considered benign, and hey, why not?)
🌡️ Re**al temperature taken (she was a very good sport)
⏱️ A whole lot of waiting, hoping… and then?
💩 *P**P. GLORIOUS P**P.* By late night, we had a bun eating and p**ping like a champ.

**Early signs of GI stasis include:**
• Not eating their usual favorite foods
• Sitting hunched up, hiding
• No p**p or tiny dry p**ps
• Grinding teeth (pain)
• Low energy, acting “off”
• Cold ears or body (hypothermia can set in fast)

**Why act fast?**
A rabbit’s digestive system is like a conveyor belt. If it stops, gas builds, bacteria overgrow, and within hours you can go from “meh, maybe she’s just tired” to **serious medical crisis.**

We know it’s scary—but acting early can save a life and save *you* a major vet bill.

This is your sign to:
✅ Know what your bunny’s *normal* looks like
✅ Have a rabbit-savvy vet already picked out
✅ Keep Critical Care and a syringe on hand
✅ Learn how to check temp, do a safe burrito, and give meds
✅ Never wait overnight “to see if they perk up”

And hey—if you’re not sure? CALL. MESSAGE. ASK.
We’d rather you feel silly and have a healthy bun… than wait too long.

Because with rabbits, sometimes the difference between heartbreak and happy ending is just a few hours. 💔➡️💩

Photo of a bun belly pressing in pain... but looks a lot like a belly flop. The difference was the overall picture - not eating - lethargic - no stools - audible gurgling sounds - bloated abdomen - and visual peristalsis (gut moving) seen from across the room. This little one's bowels flipped creating a blockage. Force feeding would not have helped, but made things worse. This is where having knowledgeable & experienced friends on hand can make all the difference!.

08/07/2025

**Nail Trims, Bunny Burritos & Big Bunny Energy 🐇✂️**

Tonight we had an absolute *blast* empowering some wonderful bunny parents with hands-on skills! From mastering the art of the "bunny burrito" (yes, just like my NICU babies), to giving sub-q fluids, taking a re**al temperature (glamorous, we know), safe nail trims, positioning, and safely scooping up a bun without triggering a full-throttle panic spiral—we covered it all.

One of the biggest reasons buns don’t like being picked up?
**They're not being picked up in a way that makes them feel secure.**
Once you learn the hold that says “you’re safe” instead of “abduction is imminent,” it’s a game changer.

Shoutout to Padma and Winston, our patient little demo bunnies, who allowed us to poke, prod, pet, and practice. They were absolute stars—even if Winston gave us some “Do I *look* like I consented to this?” side-eye.

Remember:
**Your bunny can have attitude. It’s how you *channel* it that matters.**

Huge thanks to the lovely couple who reached out and gave us the chance to share our nerdy bunny knowledge.
We *love* seeing people grow in confidence and connection with their animals.

Let us know if we can help you master a skill—because everybun deserves a confident human!

03/07/2025

We heart you Dollys!
https://www.facebook.com/100069632581994/posts/1019762360354841/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

We love learning and we love that so many bunny owners do too!

Our free, virtual, 45 minute education course was originally made to help adopters and people new to rabbit care…but more and more folks have been taking it just for fun. And we’re here for it.

Someone recently asked: “Is there a way to take the education course for fun? We have a rabbit we got from a friend. We've had her for 2 1/2 years now. I think we've done well educating ourselves, but I'm open to checking out what you guys provide to owners. Our little ole lady gets the whole house to openly roam 🥰”

YES. YES. A thousand times, yes.

If you’ve got a free roam bun, a million questions, or just love brushing up on rabbit care, then this course is for you.

Whether you're new to bunnies or have been in the fluff game for years, we promise you’ll learn something helpful.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/rNTYqNijXz9Qc65i8

And peep this adorable student…pictured is her, the lucky house roaming bun whose humans just want to be the best they can be. That’s what this is all about.

Hop on in, anytime.

30/06/2025

**Meet Maeve & Mozzey – Acrobatics Duo Seeking Forever Stage!**

This 2lb mother-son team doesn’t hop—they *launch.* Living room? Parkour gym. Hallway? Speedway. Maeve and Mozzey are pint-sized, cheek-rub-powered lovebugs who will melt into snuggles the moment you so much as *think* about petting them.

They’re bonded, brilliant, and ready to bring synchronized zoomies, dramatic flops, and heart-melting cuddles to a home near you.

Full disclosure: their litter box skills are a *work in progress.* Think of it less like a mess and more like abstract art—by two tiny, fuzzy Jackson Pollocks. But hey, what’s a masterpiece without a little creative freedom?

Apply now. Your cheeks—and theirs—will thank you.

30/06/2025

Meet Orley & Pru: A Love Story in Fluff & Litter

If you’ve been dreaming of a velvety snuggle buddy who thinks you hung the moon, allow us to introduce Orley—a full-on dog disguised as a 4 lb rabbit. This boy is all-in on humans. He lives to be snuggled, kissed, cradled, and fawned over like the lap royalty he knows himself to be. Rescued from the streets by animal services, we estimate he's about 2–3 years old and 100% committed to being your tiny, upright-eared shadow.

His joy is as obvious as it is contagious—the moment you open his apartment door, Orley launches into high-speed binkies like he’s trying to win gold in the Bunny Olympics. He’s the fastest, happiest hopper in the house, and nothing delights him more than showing it off. Once he gets going his bun wife takes to the air too and you can't help but relish in their joy.

Now, Orley does have a little bit of a... gastrointestinal mystery. Despite visits to multiple vets, numerous medications, all the tests, and enough probiotics to qualify as a yogurt commercial, his gut's still doing its own thing. Translation: you’ll be scooping or refreshing his litter box a couple times a week. In return, he offers infinite cuddles, deep eye contact, and the quiet dignity of a rabbit who knows love is messier than we like to admit.

Enter Pru, his beloved bun wife. She came into this world in dramatic fashion—her mama, Padma, gave birth the day she was rescued. Pru was briefly a bottle baby and is now the kind of girl who prefers to observe the humans for a beat before melting like butter in your arms. She's gentle, affectionate, and very attached to her snugglebug husbun. She weighs in at a petite 3 lbs and is all heart.

These two are a bonded pair of soulmates who’ve been adored during their time with us—but it’s time they find a forever home with someone who doesn’t mind the occasional extra litter box chore and is ready to be worshipped by a small, overly affectionate bun.

Are you the lucky human for Team Orley & Pru?

28/06/2025

**Marsley & Mosely– The Tiny Tornadoes of Binkies & Zoomies 🎭⚡**

Looking for some quality bun-tertainment? Meet Marsley & Mosely, a 2lb sibling duo of Hotot hilarity who bring the drama, the action, and the *cheek-melting cuteness*. These two are your personal reality show—“Buns of Chaos”—airing daily in your living room.

They *compete* in high-stakes binky-offs.
They *zoom* like tiny wind-up toys.
They *hop over each other* like circus acrobats.
And they *melt* instantly with a cheek rub. That’s the off switch. You’re welcome.

They’re pretty polite buns overall—100% reliable with their urine, and about 98% with their p**ps (unless other buns are around stirring the drama). They’d thrive in a free-roam, indoor space where they can stretch their little legs and perform to their heart’s content.

If you’re ready to adopt the fastest 1 year old fluffballs in town—and become their favorite cheek-rubber—slide into our messages. Marsley & Mosely are ready for their next act: *Forever Home Edition.*

28/06/2025

Meet Arlo & Orla – Twice the Ears, Twice the Love! 🐰❤️🐰

This inseparable lop-eared duo has been bonded since the day they met, and now they’re hopping toward their second birthday—ready to celebrate in a forever home of their own!

Arlo & Orla are small in size but big on charm. Think of them as the cat-like bunnies of your dreams: affectionate when they want to be, snugglers when the mood strikes, and always adorable. They're well-behaved, fantastic with their litterbox, and would thrive in a free-roam, indoor setup where they can stretch, explore, and nap in sunbeams.

If you’re ready to open your heart and home to a pair of gorgeous, well-mannered buns with a bond as strong as their cuteness, reach out! Arlo & Orla can’t wait to meet their humans.