Welcome to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society - dog, cat and small animal rescue in seacoast NH

Want To Bring A Bunny Home?

What To Think About Before You Do!

Where will your rabbit live?

Decide where your new rabbit will start out in your home and where the cage will go. Make sure that bunny's cage is large enough for a litter box and food bowls, and that bunny can sit, stretch out, and stand up comfortably when full grown! Your bunny should spend the first few days in his or her cage whenever he/she cannot be supervised to adjust to their new surroundings.

Rabbit proof bunny's running space!

Think like a toddler! Use plastic plug inserts for unused electrical outlets. Make sure all electric and phone cords are out of bunny's reach or well wrapped. Protect furnishings by removing them from bunny's space or by covering them.

Prepare for chewing needs.

Provide lots of safe chew toys. Safe toys include cardboard boxes, natural untreated chew rings, tunnels, and lots of hay all satisfy a bunny's need to chew. Consider an exercise pen. A portable pen makes it a breeze to move bunnies from room to room, and even to an un-bunny-proofed room.

A healthy diet is important!

Feeding your rabbit begins with fresh food. This means timothy hay and alot of it. It should be constantly available. Pellet food should be given but just a ¼ cup a day. Fresh veggies are key like lettuces – romaine, green, red leaf (no iceberg); herbs like basil, mint, dill, parsley, cilantro; beet greens, bokchoy, broccoli, carrots, clover, collard greens, dandelions, endive, escarole kale, mustard greens, radicchio, radish greens, raspberry leaves, spinach, watercress and chicory. Fruits and berries like apple, blueberries, melon, papaya, peach, pear, pineapple, plums, raspberries, strawberries are also good.

Stock up on patience and love.

Give your bunny lots of love and patience, and teach him with a gentle hand and soft voice. Because rabbits require this extra time to learn to be social and to be held they are not good pets for young children under 5 years of age. Also remember a quiet place for your bunny is important since bunnies do not like loud noises.

Medical Care

Be sure to find a qualified rabbit vet before you need one. Go for an anual well rabbit check-up with your furry friend. If your rabbit is 5 years or older consider going twice a year. Check the bunny's droppings which should be round, firm and plentiful. If your bunny sneezes or has discharge from his eyes or ears it's time to see the vet. Labored long deep breathing is also a reason to a trip to the animal hospital. Remember if you have questions about your bunny or its health it's always OK to call Cocheco Valley Humane Society.

White House VIPs: Very Important Pets

Dogs have been an important part of our homes for thousands of years. Some have even lived at the White House! President Obama is looking for a pup for his family too! Let's look at a few of our past presidents and their pooches:

**President James Garfield, elected in 1881, warned Congress no laws would be passed without his approval. He even named his dog VETO!

**When President Clinton came to the White House, he brought his chocolate Labrador retriever Buddy too. His daughter Chelsea adopted a stray cat name Socks who already lived at the White House.

**A former movie star, governor and soldier, President Reagan had a dog named Lucky. Lucky would visit the president’s office every morning for a donut!

**Fido, a mixed-beed dog, was President Lincoln’s dog. He was the first First Dog to be photographed! But it wasn’t easy to catch a snapshot of Fido. He often hid under the couch!

**President George W. Bush’s Scottish terrier Barney shared the White House with another Scottish terrier named Miss Beazley. While they loved to romp outdoors, First Cat Willie preferred the quiet of the White House library.

CVHS Pet Partners Story Of The Month

Tell Us Your Pet Story! Send CVHS An Animal Poem! Send your story to humaneed@cvhsonline.org Read Mariah's story, from our first Whiskers and Paws author of the month

My Dog By Mariah Cooper

My pet's name is Pals Freedom. She does not like our two cats, Butter and Bagara. Freedom is a fast and funny dog. when you feel her wet nose touch your skin, it will tickle! Her nickname is Freebie. Freedom will chase anything smaller then her. Freedom is the best dog ever!!!!

It's A Problem! What Can You Do To Help?

Just imagine: A dog is chained outside all the time. This dog is not just lonely. He is exposed to harsh weather conditions, which can make him sick. He is at risk of being attacked by other animals or people. This dog could injure himself or strangle himself on his chain. Dogs are pack animals. This dog should be inside with his family so he can be protected and loved. So what would you do if you know a dog who is kept chained outside all the time?

****Don’t walk up to the dog. Sometimes chained dogs may attack. They are often more aggressive than unchained dogs. Since they can’t run away they feel they are in danger. And they also can want to protect their territory. Since they are pack animals and need to be with other dogs and people, the dog may not be socialized and may hurt people or other dogs as a result of being alone all the time.

****Ask your parents the best way to tell the owners about the safety issues about chaining a dog outside. You might write a letter and send it to the owner. Or your parent may want to call the person. Your parent may want to call the animal control officer to talk to the owner. Or call Cocheco Valley Humane Society and we will help you decide what to do.

****Write a letter to the editor to let your community know that chaining a dog outside is public safety issue. Dogs deserve to be treated like a member of the family, to live inside a home with food, water, a bed and the love he needs.

We Want YOU For Pet Partners Awards!

Attention all kids! What are you doing to help animals? Do you know a young person age 18 or younger who is helping animals? Let Cocheco Valley Humane Society know. You can email me a humaneed@cvhsonline.org

Cocheco Valley Humane Society wants to recognise any young people or groups of youngsters who are making an extra effort to help our pets have a better life. Maybe you are having a fund-raiser, or perhaps you are heading up a pet supplies drive at your school, church or youth group.

We will send out a special certificate and add your name to our Pet Partners Team Award List. This will be displayed at the shelter and our various special events. We have already started our list of great young folks who help us every day! Need ideas?

Go to our suggestion page for young people activities right here under the CVHS Humane Education heading. If you have new ideas we will add them to our list. Just let us know!