Today we’d like to introduce you to Bunny Buddies.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Bunny Buddies began in 1996 when local animal shelter volunteers and house rabbit guardians Janis (Abel) Hyde, Elizabeth Murphy, Helen Swann, and Nichole Taylor realized that Houston needed a group dedicated to educating the public about house rabbits. Bunny Buddies officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in September 1997. Since then, Bunny Buddies’ dedicated volunteers have helped improve the lives of countless rabbits and the people who care for them.
The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, and completely volunteer-run.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For nearly 30 years now, Bunny Buddies has operated entirely through volunteer foster homes. While a loving foster family is definitely the ideal situation, and fostering will continue to be a vital part of the program, the need is far greater than our network of volunteer foster homes can meet. For now, we need more willing volunteers to open their homes and hearts to these animals in need: the more fosters we have, the more lives we can save. Eventually, Bunny Buddies would like to operate a shelter or community center dedicated to rabbits.
Because of the unacceptably high numbers of rabbits who are surrendered, abandoned, and euthanized each and every year, we do not support rabbit breeding practices. All rabbits in our care are spayed/neutered before being made available for adoption.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Bunny Buddies’ mission is to save and improve the lives of domestic rabbits and enrich the relationship between house rabbits and their human caregivers.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization primarily serving the Greater Houston area, Bunny Buddies is dedicated to house rabbit rescue, education, and advocacy. Through a network of animal shelters, veterinarians, foster families, and volunteers, Bunny Buddies works to save domestic rabbits from abandonment and euthanasia, provide them with necessary veterinary care (including spay/neuter) and foster them until permanent adoptive homes can be found.
Through regular events hosted in collaboration with other organizations, we educate the public and shelter volunteers and staff about proper care and try to mitigate the widespread misconceptions and misinformation about these wonderful creatures. At these events we often offer grooming services and supervise “speed dates” for applicants who wish to add another bunny to their family.
We also partner with local businesses to spread awareness and offer rabbit-enriched events, like Bunny Yoga with a studio called 105 Fever, or participate in pop-up markets downtown. Elementary schools, libraries, and shelters like Houston Humane Society and Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) will invite us to present to assemblies or at youth Summer Camps, to educate the next generation.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Because of our dedicated volunteers and generous donations, we are able to work with individuals and area shelters to help save many abandoned and surrendered rabbits who would otherwise face euthanasia.
Thanks to a strong donor base, we can afford to provide equipment and supplies to all of our fosters — we believe that anyone who can make the space to help should be able to, without the financial burden. Similarly, we don’t hesitate to provide medical care when urgent situations call for pricey diagnostics or surgery to keep a rabbit healthy and happy. Strong relationships with partner vet clinics like Animal Medical Center of the Village (Kirby) ensures that the animals in our program receive expert care.
But as we grow, so do these expenses. If you can’t foster yourself, spread the word! And please give — every dollar donated supports our mission, sustains our operations, and saves rabbits.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bunnybuddies.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bunnybuddieshouston
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/bunnybuddieshouston
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/bunnybuddieshouston
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bunnybuddieshouston
- Other: https://givebutter.com/bunnybuddies-single
