Volume 4, Issue 4 - November 2004

News from the Sanctuaries and Satellites

The Welch Sanctuary
It's hard to believe that another summer has come and gone. By the time this column goes to press, we will have placed the heated water bowls and heat lamps back into service. We will also have distributed straw bales around the barns to help insulate the buildings. We will have restocked the hay barn to tide us over for another long winter ahead.

This summer we made considerable progress with our new fencing, and have completed the entire front section. Next summer, we'll finish up with the back half. Once completed, the new fencing will provide even more protection from the local wildlife.

We're sorry to report that since the last newsletter, we have lost two more of our bunny companions, Lola and Heidi. Lola was adopted as a youngster to pair up with Sergei, who was my headtilt buddy when I moved back to Colorado in 1997. She was a very special little girl. Heidi was part of a large group of bunns that we took from a local wildlife rehabilitator when she decided to move to the Los Angeles area a few years ago. We miss both of them very much. Also during this quarter, we lost one of our roosters, Manuel, who shared living quarters with the bunnies. He was crippled and therefore was picked on by the roosters in the main flock. We miss him, as I am sure the bunns who shared their home with him do too.

We would like to thank all who attended our Fall Tune-Up Day. We truly appreciate the help in getting our bunnies groomed and examined for any hidden health issues before winter sets in.
--Dave Welch and Lynn Halpern

The Ewy Sanctuary
The rabbits seem to be enjoying the cooler autumn weather. They are always more active and frisky this time of year.

Christine Haas gathered volunteers from the Fort Collins/Loveland area for a workday on October 3. The group included some people who have come several times; Don and Natalie Stroh, Mike and Susan House, Debby Schmidt Christine Haas and Linda Carrol. New to the workday were Cindy and Brian Morrato. We also were pleased to introduce Krista and Alan Dague-Green of Longmont to the sanctuary. Kathleen Wilkins, a regular helper at the sanctuary, also came for the day. Every rabbit received a tune-up and some maintenance was done. We had a good time and much was accomplished.

Again this summer, we truly appreciate the support that we receive from Dr. Bock and the staff at Adobe Animal Hospital. If we have a sick rabbit, they will work us into their already busy schedule. Dr. Bock will call to check up on a bunny even on his day off or in the evening. One Saturday, we saw that Houdini had a swollen face. Adobe Animal Hospital stayed open late, to attend to him. THANK YOU, Dr. Bock, Joel, Doreen, Shawna and Shelley, we couldn't do it without you.
--Leslie & Stewart

News From the North
The summer was fairly quiet for us. We continue to accept a few foster bunnies from Larimer Humane Society. They transfer them to us for fostering if there are health or temperament issues. They also occasionally relinquish a bunny to us that may not be appropriate for their adoption program. We're grateful that we are able to save these "unadoptable" bunnies.

We continue to support the Longmont CO-HRS Sanctuary and recently participated in a workday there. Starting in October, we are helping at the foster facilities in Broomfield every time there is a 5th weekend in the month. This keeps us better in touch with the CO-HRS headquarters.
-- Christine Haas, Satellite Manager and Educator, Fort Collins, 970-493-6965, bosshaas@msn.com

News From the West
Hello, Everyone. I have news that I am very proud and excited to tell you about. I recently completed my two-week trial period at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary at Kanab, Utah. I have been offered and accepted the position of Bunny House Manager. I will continue my affiliation with the House Rabbit Society as an educator and fosterer and will incorporate into this position my knowledge and experience that being a part of HRS has taught me. I hope to carry on the good work of the previous manager.

This is a late in life career change for me, but one I am very ready for. It is an answer to prayers and a dream that has opened for me. HRS has been my lifeline and a great support in my journey with rabbits. I especially want to thank Nancy LaRoche for her example of leadership, knowledge and friendship. This is sounding like a goodbye note, it is not. My personal email address is rosebud@kanab.net and my email address at Best Friends for bunny business is debby@bestfriends.org. Hugs to you and all your bunnies.

Best Friends is a wonderful place and I can assure you that the rabbits are given excellent care as are the 1500+ dogs, cats, horses, birds, pigs, goats, etc. If you are ever in southern Utah, please stop by for a tour.
-- Debby Widolf, Satellite Manager and Educator, Durango, 970-259-5633, rosebud@frontier.net