Those who foster rabbits will eventually find what we refer to as "special needs bunnies." We have classified bunnies as special needs for both physical and behavioral problems. In general, each special needs bunny has two options, Sanctuary or adoption. People who have adopted special needs bunnies are usually surprised at what a wonderful bunny they have found.

Almost all our special needs bunnies are classified as such because we feel they need a home that has solid rabbit experience, not because they are "unadoptable." One such case was Bogart, a 15-pound French Lop. He was very defensive due to very poor eyesight and hearing. We are also convinced he had been abused in the past. We adopted him to people that had extensive large rabbit experience and he is doing well in his new home. Another special needs bunny, Domina, has only one eye due to an infection. This tended to make some people nervous about a "less than perfect pet," but she has a heart of gold and now has a good home.

Most bunnies in the Sanctuary/permanent foster category you never hear about. We do not publicly put them up for adoption. While many are fun loving, energetic, and lovable, we feel that their health problems, past or present, make them not adoptable except to a very select group of people. One such sanctuary rabbit went to a volunteer that has tremendous experience with rabbits. Tessa had a hereditary condition that can be very difficult to treat and can be fatal. Frankly, that volunteer is one of very few people that could have made Tessa's life as pain-free and loving as possible. [Note: I am withholding the names of our sanctuary volunteers. These people will take rabbits only through the HRS foster program; having the general public calling them would be a disservice to the hospice service they provide.] Anyone visiting one of our foster homes will meet a little white mini-lop the second they walk in the door. They will also see a bunny with a very strange way of sitting, sleeping, and hopping. This little guy's name is Bonine (Neener to his friends). He fits the special needs category due to the major life-threatening health problems that plagued him for the first year of his life. These problems left him with a long lasting neurological problem, but it did not affect his ability to love. He is a true lap bunny that demands, and I mean demands, being picked up and cuddled many times a day. If you are not doing anything, then you should be petting Neener in your lap.

Do you think that you might have a space in your heart for a special needs bunny? If so, I suggest you take a look at Max. Max is a very common special needs bunny. He is between six and seven years old. He has no medical problems but is considered "too old" by many people. This is due to the outdated notion that bunnies live only five or six years. Within the HRS community, we commonly have bunnies more than ten years of age. Max believes in cuddles. If you are lying on the floor, don't be surprised to have him shove his nose in your face for a good petting session. Max has also created a new art form in jumping into his cage. Many bunnies just hop in. Max combines a high slow motion hop with a flick of the feet at the end. He is definitely energetic. How many bunnies hang on the side of the cage at feeding time by all four feet? Picking up Max means it is time to curl up in your arms and get some pets. We think Max would love to have a bunny friend too.

So when thinking about a friend, remember that they can sneak up on you and many times they are not what you expect. That sounds like most of the bunnies I have met over the years.

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