Hi there,
Thanks for stopping by! I am very happy to be sharing this wonderful interview with Sarah Baran of the organization Bunnies in Baskets. Sarah is Executive Director of Bunnies in Baskets and here to share all about Bunnies in Baskets with us.
RS: Hi, Welcome to Rabbit Slippers...I am happy to have you with us to share about Bunnie-in-Baskets. Could you tell us a bit about Bunnies-in-Baskets?
BIB: We are a 501(c)3 that trains Visiting Rabbit Teams (human and rabbit OR bonded pair) and provides community humane education.
RS: How and when did Bunnies-in-Baskets
start?
BIB: I wanted to take my bunnies on visits and didn't want the
"rules" of the dog-oriented organizations. I started BIB because
bunnies are NOT dogs----and we can structure ourselves accordingly.
(Bunnies don't get vaccines, etc.....don't need collars.....)
RS: Was there a certain inspiration for Bunnies-in-Baskets?
BIB: I was in a national organization with my dog and loved every minute.However when I wanted to visit with my rabbits, it was all rules, rules, rules and nobody seemed clear about them or had experience with a rabbit. I wanted to create the organization and program I needed.
RS: You like to bring Adopted Rabbits in your program, correct? Do you adopt based on certain criteria for your program?
BIB: Many BIB rabbits have been adopted or are currently in foster care. Spaying/neutering is recommended, but not required. What we do need are certain personality traits----rabbits that are "human curious" and enjoy petting are great candidates.
RS: Do you train the bunnies and/or your volunteers?
BIB: Yes. We have a comprehensive online training class of readings, evaluation and practicum activities. The vet certifies the health and temperment of each rabbit and BIB registers each team.
RS: Was there a certain inspiration for Bunnies-in-Baskets?
BIB: I was in a national organization with my dog and loved every minute.However when I wanted to visit with my rabbits, it was all rules, rules, rules and nobody seemed clear about them or had experience with a rabbit. I wanted to create the organization and program I needed.
RS: You like to bring Adopted Rabbits in your program, correct? Do you adopt based on certain criteria for your program?
BIB: Many BIB rabbits have been adopted or are currently in foster care. Spaying/neutering is recommended, but not required. What we do need are certain personality traits----rabbits that are "human curious" and enjoy petting are great candidates.
RS: Do you train the bunnies and/or your volunteers?
BIB: Yes. We have a comprehensive online training class of readings, evaluation and practicum activities. The vet certifies the health and temperment of each rabbit and BIB registers each team.
RS:
Can you tell us a bit about that?
BIB: What is most important is learning to
read your rabbit's language. We must always put the animal's needs
first---we are asking a lot of them. The practicum activities offer
great operational insight in measured doses. We offer feedback,
support and lots of resources!RS: Do you have volunteers that bring in their own bunnies also?
BIB: Yes---mostly it is a person with their own bunnies. We do have an affiliate membership available for organizations. We are an international organization---USA and Canada.
RS: Who takes care of the bunnies?BIB: The person who owns them.
RS: What types of places do you visit with bunnies? Do they have any restrictions?
BIB: No---hospitals, schools, nursing homes,etc..... We offer excellent insurance to our Visiting Rabbit Teams.
RS: What guidelines do you follow?
BIB: http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/animal_assisted_guidelines.asp
RS: Do you support other organizations or recommend any for any purposes?
RS: Can we meet some of your bunnies?
BIB:We have too many to count! However, please visit our website and thereare tons of pictures!
RS: You have a store that helps support your program-please tell us more info how we can support your program?
BIB: Please come and visit at http://www.bunniesinbaskets.org/store.html ----have some fun, and buy something useful and good for people, bunnies and the world!
I would really like to thank Sarah Baran for taking the time to share with us about Bunnies in Baskets! You have me thinking of even starting an affiliate chapter here! Having done bunny visits, I know how special it is to the recipients and the volunteers! There is something magic that takes place.
Sarah A. Baran, MS
Executive Director, Bunnies in Baskets
Celebrate 2011---the Year of the Rabbit!
Please be our Facebook Friend!You can find related posts (on bunny visits in nursing homes) at http://rabbitslippers.blogspot.com/2009/11/todays-bunny-visit-to-nursing-home-some.html , http://rabbitslippers.blogspot.com/2009/11/our-bunny-visit-to-nursing-home-is.html , http://rabbitslippers.blogspot.com/2009/11/going-to-do-rabbit-visits-in-nursing.html from my own experiences. Bunnies in Baskets might be a new step or direction ahead to take!
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Please visit the Rabbit Hop Shop at the following link (Rabbit Hop Shoppe link) for rabbit themed items and gifts! Please also "like" the Rabbit Hop Shoppe Facebook page. Thanks!
You can also sign up by e-mail notices at the top right of the page. (Your privacy is important to Rabbit Slippers).
You can also follow through Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs, both located in the right side bar.
Thank You!
Please visit the Rabbit Hop Shop at the following link (Rabbit Hop Shoppe link) for rabbit themed items and gifts! Please also "like" the Rabbit Hop Shoppe Facebook page. Thanks!
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