By Janet Vormittag
WKTV Contributing Writer
Wyoming resident Diane Dykema has a passion for rabbits and thought breeding and selling bunnies would be a fun hobby. She changed her mind when people started asking her to take rabbits they no longer wanted.
“I didn’t realize how many unwanted bunnies there were,” Dykema said.
That realization compelled Dykema to transition from breeding to rescue. In July 2019, she started Bunnies–R–Us and began taking in unwanted rabbits and finding them new homes.
In 2022, Dykema adopted out 92 rabbits. She has a 100% rate of finding new homes for rabbits in less than two months.
Education the key
Dykema thinks most people get rid of rabbits because they aren’t educated on what is involved in caring for their new pet.
“You can’t put a rabbit in a cage and leave it there,” she said. “Having a rabbit is a big responsibility.”
Before taking home one of Dykema’s rabbits, tentative adopters are required to sit through a one-on-one, hour-long educational session. Using handouts and videos, Dykema teaches them what rabbits should and shouldn’t be fed. She shows how to hold a rabbit and explains why exercise is important.
Rabbits in Dykema’s care get out of their cages at least once a day to play with toys in an exercise pen.
People learn rabbits never look sick, have a high tolerance for pain, and can die from stress. Rabbits can also be trained to use a litter box.
Adopters leave with a folder full of information, a starter kit with litter, hay and bunny food, and Dykema’s telephone number.
“They know everything they need to know before they leave,” Dykema said. “They can also call me anytime.”
If people are hesitant about adopting, they can foster to adopt.
Some of the bunnies available for adoption at Bunnies-R-Us rescue. (Photo courtesy, Janet Vormittag)
Working to make an adoption a success
Besides owner-surrendered rabbits, Dykema gets rabbits from people who find domesticated bunnies roaming outside. “People think they can live like a wild bunny. They can’t.” She added that rabbits shouldn’t be released outside—they lack survival skills and are vulnerable to predators.
Recently Dykema took in seven bunnies from Traverse City Animal Control who got them from a rescue that had closed.
Adoption fees range from $30 to $100 and depends on age, breed and if the rabbit is spayed/neutered. Dykema doesn’t routinely spay/neuter rabbits but won’t adopt a male and female together unless one of them is fixed.
Dykema said adoption fees keep people from taking rabbits for snake food or meat.
Some rabbits bond with each other and become best buddies. Dykema won’t breakup a bonded pair or trio, but if the pair consists of a male and female, one must be spayed/neutered.
“I don’t adopt a male and female together. I learned that the hard way,” Dykema said. She also won’t adopt to someone who has a rabbit of the opposite sex at home. She explained that one gentleman adopted two females and neglected to tell her he had a male at home. He soon brought her a dozen young rabbits and the male rabbit.
Dykema is learning as she goes and now charges an intake fee and asks that a rabbit’s cage be included in the surrender to reduce the stress on the rabbit.
A family affair
When full, Dykema asks people to foster the rabbit they want to surrender until a new home can be found. She has room for about two dozen rabbits and she does most of the work of feeding and cleaning by herself. Recently, a 13-year-old girl started volunteering to help care for the bunnies.
Dykema’s family is supportive of her rescue. Her husband, Russ, helps where he can and her daughter works on the website and makes bunny videos.
Dykema said rabbits are often a neglected animal and are usually looked at like a farm animal. She sees them differently and hopes to educate people about their true nature.
“They’re smart and clean,” she said. “They can be silly and are easy to care for. They each have their own personality. Each one is different and unique.”
For more information visit www.bunniesrusrabbitry.com.
Janet Vormittag started Cats and Dogs, a Magazine Devoted to Companion Animals in 2006 as a monthly publication. It’s geared towards West Michigan readers and features pet-related advertisers, animals available for adoption, and articles about animal rescues and pets. In 2018, Cats and Dogs transitioned to a quarterly publication. The print edition is free and can be found at local libraries and businesses.
