Tag Archives: Bunny

Adoptable Pets of the Week: Isabella, Chessy & Cinnamon

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , , , , , , , ,
Queen Isabella

By Brooke Hotchkiss, Humane Society of West Michigan

 

Each week WKTV features adoptable pets from area shelters. This week, we focus on three pets, Isabella, Chessy and Cinnamon, all available for adoption through the Humane Society of West Michigan.

 

Queen Isabella – American Blue Heeler/American Pit Bull Terrier Mix

I am a 4-year-old, happy and playful girl looking for my forever home! I would do best in a home with older/respectful children. I get along with other dogs, but would do best living with male dog who is playful but respectful. I have a lot of love to give to my new family! If I sound like the right fit for you, please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

More about Isabella

  • Animal ID:  36757121
  • Breed:  American Blue Heeler/Terrier, American Pit Bull
  • Age:  4 years
  • Gender:  Female
  • Size:  Medium
  • Color:  White/Red
  • Spayed
Chessy

Chessy – Female Domestic Short Hair

I am a 5-year-old cat looking for my forever home! I need to be placed in a home with no dogs and no small children. I am social and playful, however, I am not very tolerant of being picked up or petted. I need an environment where I can approach people on my own terms and in my own time and have a space to hide when I need to be alone. I do enjoy playing with people, especially with wand toys once I have warmed up. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

 

More about Chessy

  • Animal ID:  31798714
  • Breed:  Domestic Shorthair/Mix
  • Age:  5 years
  • Gender:  Female
  • Size:  Small
  • Color:  Grey
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed

 

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

  • Animal ID:  37126751
  • Species:  Rabbit
  • Breed:  Rex/Mix
  • Age:  1 year
  • Gender:  Female
  • Size:  Small
  • Color:  Orange
  • Spayed

Cinnamon is currently fostered at PetSmart.

 

Here’s how to adopt Cinnamon from the Humane Society of West Michigan:

  • Browse the adoptable animals at Humane Society of West Michigan either in person or online
  • View “How to Prepare Your Home” for the new addition to the family
  • Come visit HSWM and fill out an application and meet with an adoption counselor in order to get approved for adoption
  • Meet with animals who are a good match for your lifestyle and family
  • Be ready to take the new family member home! Some animals are ready to go home the same day while others may still need a final vet check

To speed up the adoption process, please bring the following items with you:

  • Fill out the adoption application before arriving at HSWM
  • Must meet with an adoption counselor in person – can not approve for adoption via email or phone call
  • Bring your current pet’s medical history

Please note: before meeting any animals, you MUST be approved for adoption

 

Click here for adoption fees

 

Have other questions? Visit the Humane Society’s FAQ page!

 

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Gerdy

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , ,

Each week WKTV features adoptable pets from area shelters. This week, we focus on Gerdy, a bunny available for adoption at West Michigan Critter Haven.

 

 

By West Michigan Critter Haven

When you think of a rabbit, typically a small, cuddly animal comes to mind. In reality, not all rabbits are small! In fact, giant breeds of rabbits like the Flemish Giant and Checkered giant can weigh in at more than 15lbs! At West Michigan Critter Haven, we have a soft spot for larger breeds of rabbits.

One of our current larger rabbits up for adoption is Gerdy. She’s a spayed Checkered Giant mix weighing in at 14lbs. This big, beautiful rabbit is such a pleasure to be around. She has a larger-than-life personality and is very social and silly. She’s the type of rabbit who thoroughly enjoys being part of the family. When she’s not relaxing in front of the TV, she can be found begging for treats. She does well with well-mannered, cats, dogs, and even enjoys gentle, respectful children.

Gerdy came to us after she was found hiding in a log in the woods. Our best guess is she either escaped or was abandoned. Many people abandon domestic rabbits outdoors thinking they can survive, when in reality, it’s a death sentence. She was covered in fleas but still as friendly as ever.

For being a rabbit found outside, Gerdy has taken to her new life indoors exceptionally well. She has excellent litter box habits and keeps a relatively tidy space. Gerdy adores the attention of her foster family and will even jump up on the couch to beg for food and head scratches — just like a dog! She loves her fresh veggies and fruit. However, like most rabbits, she doesn’t enjoy being held and prefers to spend time sitting next to you, not in your lap.

If you’re thinking about adding a rabbit to your family, Gerdy would be a fantastic addition. Rabbits are extremely intelligent and trainable. They require attention, love and a life indoors with lots of space to run and play.

West Michigan Critter Haven is a chapter of the House Rabbit Society. To learn more about caring for rabbits, please visit http://rabbit.org/.

More About Gerdy:

  • Litter trained
  • Spayed
  • Gets along well with respectful children
  • Does well with other gentle animals

Want to adopt Gerdy? Her adoption fee is $75. You can learn more about Gerdy and other West Michigan Critter Haven adoptables at http://wmicritterhaven.org. All adopters must be at least 18 years old.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Carrot

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Meet smart, sassy Carrot!

 

Each week WKTV features adoptable pets from area shelters. This week, we focus on Carrot, a bunny available for adoption at West Michigan Critter Haven.

 

By West Michigan Critter Haven

 

Carrot is a Dutch rabbit with a beautiful gray and white coat. But she’s more than looks. She’s a smart, sassy girl and knows what she likes. She adores shoulder rubs and bum scratches. Like most rabbits, she takes pride in her personal space and doesn’t approve of any rearranging that she hasn’t done herself. She loves fresh leafy greens and grass hay. She will grunt her disapproval if you don’t feed her quickly enough, too. Her foster person adores her and Carrot has wiggled her way into the hearts of many that have followed her story and generously donated to cover her medical costs.

 

Like many of our surrendered critters, Carrot the rabbit was relinquished to us by a family who had outgrown her. She was a pet shop purchase for their daughter. Several years later when the daughter left for college, the parents decided they no longer had the time to care for Carrot. They reached out to us and we took Carrot as soon as we had an opening in our foster network, in October 2016.

 

As soon as Carrot came into our care, we had a suspicion something wasn’t quite right. While doing a careful physical check and nail trim for Carrot, we noticed her belly was quite enlarged and as tight as a drum. Our minds immediately went to reproductive organ cancer since Carrot was an unspayed female. Unfortunately, unspayed female rabbits have an 80 percent chance of developing uterine cancer. Spaying and neutering rabbits is absolutely crucial to their health and wellbeing. This is something that many rabbit owners are not aware of.

 

As with all of our unaltered foster rabbits, Carrot went in for her spay surgery just a few days after coming into our care. Our worst fears became reality when our veterinarian informed us that while the surgery went well, Carrot had been suffering from uterine cancer. The mass that was removed from her was nearly one-third of her body mass. And to make matters worse, less than 24 hours after her surgery, Carrot promptly demolished her sutures and ate the staples that were required for the size of the incision.

 

Carrot is a fighter with a huge personality. Her x-rays showed no signs of cancer anywhere else in her body. She also successfully passed her staples. We’re happy to say she’s in wonderful health. So aside from scaring the heck out of us with a rollercoaster of medical issues, the only thing she has left to do in our care is find her forever home.
Carrot is roughly six years old. In rabbit years, this is about middle age. Rabbits routinely live to be 12 years and older. She’s litter trained and spends her unsupervised time in a large dog exercise pen where she can stretch out and romp around freely. We do not advocate the use of cages, as they are quite restrictive. When supervised, she loves exploring her bedroom and other bunny-proofed parts of her foster home.

Carrot is a sweet, independent rabbit that will require a patient, loving adopter. She would do best in a home with adults or a family with mature children who will respect her and give her the space she needs to adjust. Since rabbits are prey animals, most do not like to be held. She is the type of rabbit that enjoys human company on her level. She enjoys flopping down near you while you watch TV or enjoy a book on the floor with her. She will also beg sweetly for treats by standing on her tippy toes against you to do her best to reach the treats in your hand!

Wearing the ‘cone of shame’ after eating her staples

Rabbits are not easy, starter pets. Carrot’s story is the perfect example of this. They are extremely intelligent and trainable. They require attention, love and a life indoors with their families. West Michigan Critter Haven is a chapter of the House Rabbit Society. To learn more about caring for rabbits, please visit http://rabbit.org/.

 

More About Carrot

  • Litter trained
  • Spayed
  • No small children

Want to adopt Carrot? Her adoption fee is $75. You can learn more about Carrot and other West Michigan Critter Haven adoptables at http://wmicritterhaven.org. All adopters must be at least 18 years old.

 

Interested in fostering small animals for West Michigan Critter Haven? Email info@wmicritterhaven.org.

 

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Donate at http://wmicritterhaven.org!

Easter Egg hunts, events offer weekend fun for families

3-bottom, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

Here comes Peter Cottontail and he’ll be making several appearances in and around Kentwood and Wyoming this weekend and next as Easter marches in.

One of his favorite stops is the Kentwood Activities Center for the annual “Breakfast with the Bunny” Saturday, March 26.

A pancake breakfast will be served from 9 – 11 a.m. at the center, located at 355 48th St. SE. Pictures with the famous Easter Bunny will be from 10 – 11 a.m. There will be other activities including face painting.

Tickets for the event are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Contact the Kentwood Parks and Recreation for more information. Click here.

Another popular Easter Egg Hunt is the one that takes place in Byron Township. This year’s event starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 26, and is for children ages 2-10. The Byron Easter Egg Hunt takes place at Whistlestop Park, 2170 76th St. SW, Byron Center. For more information, click here.

Also in Kentwood, East Paris Christian Reformed Church will host an Easter Egg Hunt from 2 – 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, There will be a puppet show on the true meaning of Easter followed by the egg hunt. East Paris Christian Reformed Church is located at 3065 East Paris Ave. SE.

On March 27, the Wyoming, Relevant Church will be hosting its 2016 Easter Experience and Carnival from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event includes an Easter service followed by the carnival. The event takes place at the Wyoming Junior High School, 2125 Wrenwood St. SW. Registration is required for this event. Click here.

There are a number of other Easter Hunts and activities in and around the Kentwood and Wyoming areas. Below are a few more that are either located either close to the area or have an unusual theme. Whatever one you choose, make sure to bring your own basket and double check for weather and changes in the schedule.

March 26

Grandville’s Ivanrest Church will be hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt on the church’s front lawn from 10 – 11 a.m. The event is for children 10 and under. Ivanrest Church is located at 3777 Ivanrest SW, Granville.

Jenison’s Rosewood Church will host an Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. – noon. There will be three separate areas for ages 1-3, 4-6, and 7-10. The Easter Bunny is scheduled to make an appearance along with coloring activities, balloons, face painting and a drawing for prizes. Donuts and coffee will kick off the event at 10 a.m. with the hunt starting at 10:30 a.m. Rosewood Church is located at 2795 Rosewood Ave., Jenison.

Hudsonville’s Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt from 10 – noon. The free event is open to kids of all ages and includes family time with balloon animals, face painting, prizes, popcorn, candy, snacks and videos. Hillcrest CRC is located at 3617 Hillcrest Road, Hudsonville.

The Gymco at 2306 Camelot Ridge Court will be hosting an afternoon Bunny Hop that includes egg hung, snacks, open gym, crafts, face painting, stories, songs and more. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. Children 6 and older can be dropped off. Cost is $12 per child or $25 per family.

The popular Bunny Train is currently running from Coopersville & Marne Railway, located at 311 E. Danforth St., Coopersville. The Easter Bunny and her cast of wacky, musical characters perform in each of the antique passenger coaches. Departures are 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 19 and 26 and 1 and 3 p.m. Sundays, March 13 and 20. Tickets are $17 for adults, $16 for seniors 60 and older, $15 for children ages 2-12 and free for children under 2. Call 616-997-7000, ext. 3 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday.

For an unusual Easter Egg Hunt adventure, checkout the Holland Community Aquatic Center which will host its Underwater Egg hunt from 1 to 5 p.m. The Holland Community Aquatic Center is located at 550 Maple Ave., Holland.