Volume 4, Issue 3 - August 2004

National House Rabbit Society's Margo DeMello Visits
by Nancy LaRoche

The Colorado HRS was recently honored with a visit from Margo DeMello, who is our direct contact with the National House Rabbit Society. The purpose of the visit was for us to get better acquainted, to improve our connection with National, and to make National more aware of what our chapter is doing. Some of the topics we discussed included:

• Bunny Burrow Gets Rave Reviews. Margo was especially impressed with the Bunny Burrow, our gift and supply shop, saying that we had more items in it than the National store does. She even took some ideas back with her. So all of you who have helped make the shop a success deserve a pat on the back!
• Vegetable Garden Saves Money. Regarding our garden for the bunns, she said that she personally had avoided having such a garden because it is too much trouble. However, our little garden is supplying the majority of the rabbits’ vegetables this summer, saving us some money, and providing organic vegetables that the rabbits eat with delight.
• Predator-Proofing the Outdoor Runs a Priority. Margo’s major concern, which has also been mine, is the lack of exercise for the rabbits. Our highest priority is to get the outdoor bunny-run area predator-proofed, and divided into several areas with “bunny jungle-gyms” (ramps, stairs, tunnels, etc) to encourage activity. We can then put six or eight pairs out for one hour at a time. On cool days, this would mean that every rabbit could get exercise every single day. If you are interested in helping make the protected bunny-run a reality, please contact me at co-hrs@comcast.net. We especially need someone who could design the enclosures, and oversee the construction.
• Keeping on the Lookout for Colorado HRS Managers. Some of the suggestions Margo made were for me to be on the lookout for another co-manager and/or people willing to be assistant managers, taking responsibility for major areas such as construction. (Thanks, Margo, for realizing I’m barely keeping my nose above water!) A co-manager must become a licensed Educator and a licensed Fosterer. However, assistant managers are people with some expertise in an area who are willing to take primary responsibility for that area, with other volunteers working with them, as needed. If you have expertise in some area, and would like to take responsibility for it, please contact me at co-hrs@comcast.net.
• Petco's on National's Radar Screen. In addition to discussing the work we do here, we were able to talk with Margo about the problem of Petco and what the National HRS is doing in that regard. We also learned about other things that are planned at the national level.

After we finished our official “business," we had a lot of fun together, including a dinner with some of our volunteers. We had a delightful time getting better acquainted with Margo and learning a little more about national’s activities. We’re looking forward to more visits with her in the future!