Meet Fizz and Sherbert. Their mum was rescued from an overcrowded household of 85 rabbits and guinea pigs. Just two weeks after arriving at our RSPCA Sussex North & Brighton Branch, she gave birth to Fizz and Sherbert.
These bunnies soon found a safe and loving home with Elfie, Jonny and their two children, Alma (14) and Charlie (10), who were on the lookout to adopt a pair of rabbits.
A new beginning
“They’d never been outside the animal centre before and were very shy at first,” says Alma, who’s always loved rabbits. “But RSPCA staff gave us a pillowcase with their scent on it, and some boxes from the cage they’d stayed in. We kept quiet and stuck to the feeding routine they were used to.”
Within a few days, Fizz and Sherbert were running around the living room, gazing longingly through the patio door windows. They were delighted when Alma let them into the garden for the first time. Especially when they discovered the brilliant obstacle course the family had created for them, including some large green piping that made a great tunnel!
The habits of rabbits
Fizz and Sherbert are really curious, often getting in the way and standing on the bucket when Alma is trying to clean their enclosure out. They also love their food. “I can’t eat an apple around them,’ giggles Alma. “As soon as they sniff it out they get right up in my face.”
The two bunnies also have a habit of ‘renovating’ their cardboard boxes. “They love boxes so much!” Alma says. “When we’re trying to watch TV, we’ll hear nibbling sounds as they tear through the cardboard to make more holes.”
Fizz and Sherbert love being together. If they hear an unfamiliar noise they'll immediately run to each other for safety.
“When they see something that scares them,’ says Alma, “they thump their feet on the ground – either to warn each other or us – then both run and hide.”
When Fizz and Sherbert are excited, they like to binky, which is a sort of happy dance involving jumping and twisting in the air.
“They can hop so high, it’s amazing,” says Alma. “I’m also trying to teach them how to do spinning tricks. They’re such great learners"
Fur therapy
And, when they’re not playing, Fizz and Sherbert love to chill.
They’re not so keen on being picked up but will sometimes choose to sit in people’s laps. When a poorly relative visited the family, Fizz sat in his lap the whole time, almost as if he knew he was needed for comfort!
“Hanging out with the bunnies as they hop around the living room is my favourite time,” says Alma. “It's especially good if I'm watching something sad on TV – you can’t really be sad if a rabbit’s poking their head out from behind a chair.”
The perfect pets
Alma’s family recommends having rabbits as pets, if you have the time and space. Bunnies prefer living together in pairs or groups, as they’re sociable animals who love company.
“They’ve brought a lot of laughs to our lives,” says Alma. “It’s always nice to come home to them. I’m never alone when they’re around!”