An Education Story
MCRS volunteer Tonia Baxter took a voicemail call at the end of July. The individual wanted to purchase a baby rabbit from a breeder for her 2 1/2 year old. Her toddler had a frog before so they were moving up with their next pet. When Tonia talked to her, she told her how her daughter had been around rabbits before because they knew a couple of people who are magicians, and they know someone who's a photographer and uses her rabbit as a prop in photos. She had trouble finding a breeder who had baby rabbits ready to sell. Fearing everything bad about how this family would do with a rabbit, Tonia talked to her about breeders vs. homeless rabbits. The caller didn't seem to understand why homeless rabbits exist, because why would people get rid of their pet? She captured Tonia's heart right there. So Tonia talked with her about babies vs. adult rabbits, litter training, the importance of spaying/neutering, not holding rabbits, etc. Tonia pointed her to the MCRS website and told her to check out Petfinder for our shelter rabbits.
Thinking that was the end of their conversation, Tonia was surprised when the same person called back ... only an hour later ... from the car ... with her toddler nearly jumping out of her car seat ... on the way to PETCO in Maple Grove ... and dodging the construction that stood in her way of meeting a bunny. She had gone through our entire list of adoptable rabbits and found "the perfect rabbit" for their family. Tonia tried to explain the adoption process in more detail, so she'd understand she couldn't bring the bunny home the same day. She asked how much the adoption fee was, and Tonia held her breath when she said $80. The caller then asked if that included any supplies. Tonia said that it did not, but that all the rabbits are spayed/neutered, so Tonia was surprised again when the caller said, "Oh that's a good deal." Tonia also told her that she can buy supplies like hay, pellets, and litter from MCRS at a cheaper price, and that commercial toys are not necessary to buy if they have newspapers, old phone books, and toilet paper rolls, etc. Tonia also mentioned that it would be cheaper if she built her cage from the storage panels available at various stores in the Twin Cities, and that she'd also be able to build a bigger cage than one she could find in the pet stores.
Though the caller might want more education on diet and general care of rabbits, she seemed very open to learning more and full of questions. And she's now very excited about having an adult rabbit who is already litter trained and spayed. She said, "I think this is the right thing to do."
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Thinking that was the end of their conversation, Tonia was surprised when the same person called back ... only an hour later ... from the car ... with her toddler nearly jumping out of her car seat ... on the way to PETCO in Maple Grove ... and dodging the construction that stood in her way of meeting a bunny. She had gone through our entire list of adoptable rabbits and found "the perfect rabbit" for their family. Tonia tried to explain the adoption process in more detail, so she'd understand she couldn't bring the bunny home the same day. She asked how much the adoption fee was, and Tonia held her breath when she said $80. The caller then asked if that included any supplies. Tonia said that it did not, but that all the rabbits are spayed/neutered, so Tonia was surprised again when the caller said, "Oh that's a good deal." Tonia also told her that she can buy supplies like hay, pellets, and litter from MCRS at a cheaper price, and that commercial toys are not necessary to buy if they have newspapers, old phone books, and toilet paper rolls, etc. Tonia also mentioned that it would be cheaper if she built her cage from the storage panels available at various stores in the Twin Cities, and that she'd also be able to build a bigger cage than one she could find in the pet stores.
Though the caller might want more education on diet and general care of rabbits, she seemed very open to learning more and full of questions. And she's now very excited about having an adult rabbit who is already litter trained and spayed. She said, "I think this is the right thing to do."
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