Houston Rabbit Resource

: Meet Larry 🥕

Yes, Larry is named after Larry from VeggieTales, and once his rescuers got to know his silly little personality, the name felt even more fitting.

Before Larry came to us, a family in the neighborhood repeatedly allowed him to roam outside. His rescuers caught and returned him three times in just a few weeks. The fourth time, the family told them to keep him.

They were given a dirty crate and a heavily soiled litter box. When they asked for his food and hay, they were told he had none because “that is what the yard is for.”

Larry had been left outside through the heat, rain, and even a severe storm. He was frightened, thirsty, and so hungry that he ate and drank constantly during his first day somewhere safe. Even while he was shaking, he leaned into the people holding him.

His rescuers reached out to us, and we helped them foster Larry in place. We provided hay, pellets, litter, and other supplies, and walked them through proper rabbit diet, housing, and basic care.

When they brought Larry to the center for a closer look, we confirmed he was a boy and checked him for bot flies, mites, fleas, and other concerns that can come with living outdoors. That was when we saw just how much he had been through.

His stomach and bottom were covered in fur crusted with dried urine. It appeared he had been sitting in his own waste for quite some time. His coat was also sun bleached from being outdoors.

His rescuers knew he had not been cared for properly, but seeing the full extent of his condition was devastating. It was hard not to think about what everyday life must have looked like for him before they stepped in.

They quickly fell in love with Larry’s silly personality, but they also had a dog who showed a lot of interest in him. Because they could not be certain what that interest meant, they did not want to take any chances with Larry’s safety. That is why we moved him into one of our temporary center spaces while we look for the right foster home.

Our center is not meant to be permanent housing for rescued rabbits. Center spots are temporary stops for rabbits who need somewhere safe while a foster home becomes available. Rabbits need the experience of living in a home, where we can learn who they really are, help them build routines, and prepare them for adoption.

Foster-in-place made it possible for Larry to get immediate safety, proper food, and care without waiting for an open center pen or foster home. We were able to provide the supplies, education, and support his rescuers needed until we could make a safer temporary arrangement.

Larry is now safe, learning what good food and clean bedding feel like, and making everyone laugh with the goofy personality his rescuers fell in love with.

His life before may have been difficult, but the rest of his story gets to be different.

Apply to foster: houstonrabbitresource.org/how-to-foster

Jo update 💛

After everything this little guy has been through, we are so happy to share that Jo is now in a foster home with one of our past adopters.

And he is already making himself very known.

His foster told us:

“He’s clever and social. As long as he is near people he’s happy, especially if you give him pets on his terms. He wants to be in the middle of the action, even if that action is just sitting around watching cartoons. He doesn’t seem to be bothered by other rabbits or dogs, too. He’s also really expressive. There’s no doubt what his mood is at any given moment.”

And honestly, that sounds exactly like Jo.

He has been through weeks of medical care, wound treatments, surgeries, rechecks, medications, and everything else his little body needed to heal. So seeing him now, safe in a foster home, asking to be near people and showing off his big little personality, means everything.

Jo has a big personality in a tiny body. He’s curious, expressive, and very clear about what he wants, especially when it comes to attention and being part of whatever his people are doing, even if that just means hanging out for a quiet night on the couch.

He also loves chewing on his toys and has already proven he is clever enough to keep his foster family on their toes.

This is what we wanted for him.

Not just healing.

A life.

A life where he gets to be curious and comfortable and a little silly. A life where he gets to decide when he wants pets. A life where he gets to be near people who love him and know that his big feelings are part of what makes him Jo.

He is scheduled for his neuter next week, and once he is recovered, he will be adoptable soon.

So if your family has been waiting for a bunny who wants to be part of the action, has a big personality in a tiny body, and will absolutely make sure you know how he feels, Jo may be your guy.

He has been through so much.

Now he is safe, loved, healing, and getting ready for his forever home. 💛

Stella is ready for her next soft place to land 🌼🐰

Stella’s journey with HRR started after she was found spending her days in someone’s garden. She had been outside for a few days, and when she wasn’t moving much as the Houston heat became more dangerous, the kind people who found her brought her inside and reached out for help.

We are so grateful they did.

Life outside is not safe for domestic rabbits, especially in our summer heat. Stella was one of the lucky ones who was noticed, brought inside, and given the chance to be safe.

Since then, Stella has been spayed and is now ready for her next chapter. She is a beautiful long-haired bun, which means her gorgeous fluff needs regular care to stay healthy and comfortable. Long-haired rabbits can mat easily if their fur is not brushed and maintained, so grooming is not just about looking cute, it is part of their care.

And Stella needs a foster home while she waits for her forever family. 💛

If you have been thinking about fostering, Stella could be a wonderful bun to welcome into your home. HRR provides the supplies you need, and because Stella will need extra help maintaining her coat, we can also support her grooming through our Hare Salon while she is in foster care.

You provide the safe indoor space and the love. We’ll help with the rest.

Fostering gives bunnies like Stella a comfortable place to relax, show their personality, and be seen by the family who is meant to find them.

Interested in fostering Stella? Fill out a foster application on our website. Let’s get this sweet garden girl into a home while she waits for forever. 🌼

Houstonrabbitresource.org/how-to-foster