Named for Vincent van Gogh, who famously chopped off his own ear, Vincent the bunny was born without any ears.

His owner, 16-year-old John Haigh from North Yorkshire, England, had first discovered the earless bunny among a litter of 10 bunnies. All of Vincent’s siblings were born with ears.

For more info: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1100030/Whats-Doc-Meet-Vincent-rabbit-born-ears.html

Tim Gunn, the chief creative officer for Liz Claiborne and style guru for two Bravo tv series, has created a personal video asking Giorgio Armani and Donna Karan to stop using rabbit fur in their products.

The two designers were chosen because they had agreed to go fur-free in the past and then made exceptions for rabbit fur.

According to Gunn, who has teamed up with animal rights group PETA, “Any designer in the fashion industry who does not want to watch the PETA video and see exactly what happens to animals and how they’re treated and how the product that they use comes to the marketplace, I believe, is egregiously irresponsible.”

For more information: http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2008/12/tim_gunns_plea_be_fur-free.php

New studies in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia – an area comprised of Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam – have revealed several new species of animals. Included in the discoveries is the Ammanite striped rabbit, Nesolagus timminsi, which makes its home along the Mekong River in Laos and Vietnam.

Another species of striped rabbit lives in Sumatra.

For more info: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,467144,00.html

When residential areas were ablaze in Chino Hills, CA, many people were forced to evacuate.  Fortunately for local bunny owners,  The Bunny Bunch, a no-kill, nonprofit rabbit rescue in the nearby city of Chino, CA, offered temporary shelter for their pets.

Bunny Bunch owner Caroline Charland hopes to spread the word about the availability of the shelter as a safehaven in the event of a future emergency situation.

She also urges rabbit owners to be prepared and think about a plan of action in case of emergency. According to Charland, “I tell everybody with a rabbit that they need to have a hard carrier and a soft towel, and have the carrier ready and be ready to leave.”

It is also a good idea to research places that could take your bunny in if you ever needed to evacuate your home.

For more info: http://smallanimalchannel.com/critter-news/2008/12/04/bunny-bunch-fire-evacuation.aspx

With the holidays fast approaching, here are a few gift ideas for rabbit lovers.

1. “Solitude” – 8.5 x 11 Print – $20.00
   This adorable print of an acrylic painting by Kristiana Pärn features a crisp white rabbit on a swing.  It’s the perfect wall accessory for your friend/family member’s bunny-proofed room!
   Buy it from Etsy
2. Squirrel and Bunny Recipe Cards (Set of 10) – $8.00
   These cute forest creatures wearing aprons and exhibiting excellent culinary techniques make cooking extra fun!  Showcasing wonderful illustrations by Susie Ghahremani, these recipe cards will spice up anyone’s cooking experience!
   Buy it from Etsy
3. Bunnies in Boats by Rob Styler – $9.99
   Bunnies in Boats tells the story of a rabbit tribe happily living on an island until the waters around them start to rise.  As fear sweeps over the tribe, one family strives to find a solution to this impending problem.  Not only is this little book  a good read, purchasing a copy also helps fund the maintenance of My House Rabbit and plants a tree!
   Buy the book
4. Watership Down by Richard Adams – $10.88
   This is classic tale of a community of rabbits who must flee their English countryside warren due to land development.  The novel comments on the downside to urban development and serves as an allegory to human culture and interaction.
   Buy it from Amazon
5. House Rabbit Society Gift Donation
   Make a donation to the House Rabbit Society (or local chapter) in someone’s name.  The person will receive membership to the House Rabbit Journal which contains helpful information about rabbit health and behavior.
   Donate to the HRS

It’s Chow Time! Let your pet rabbit eat in style. Featuring an adorable rabbit eating a carrot and dandelion meal, this fun bunny bowl is ideal for pellets or water.

Available from My House Rabbit’s Gift Shop.