Georgia House Rabbit Society

This organization takes micromanagement to a whole new level. I first contacted them several months ago, seeking a companion for my rabbit. I thought I could help the HRS by fostering or adopting one of theirs. I filled out their application and explained that my husband and I have owned rabbits for at least 15 years.
15 years of experience isn’t enough.
We were told to attend a «Rabbit 101» class. Fine, we attended. 2+ HOURS of a woman named Edie compulsively laughing at her own jokes and telling us: how she almost killed her first bunny, but now gives unlicensed medical advice, and we can call her any time; why rabbit poop is better than her husband’s poop (in lingering detail); her ideas for repainting the presentation room; why carrots are as sugary as gummy bears (actual comparison); her plans for visiting a friend in Paris, who works for Coke and rides around in limos («Isn’t that fun?»); why my vet (an exotic specialist) probably isn’t qualified to treat rabbits because he isn’t on «the list,» and she wants proof that he sees at least 20 rabbits per month; and remember to sign up for «Rabbit 201» to learn even more – like how to give your rabbit an enema. AN ENEMA! Why on Earth would you doing suggest doing such a thing instead of taking your rabbit to the vet?
Whatever. We paid the mandatory donation fee, sat through Edie’s «class,» and waited for a follow-​up call about fostering a rabbit.
Several weeks, no call.
Then I heard that HRS helped Gwinnett County rescue 150ish bunnies from an animal hoarder in Grayson. So I called them up, thinking (once again) that they probably needed foster homes, and I could help them. Unfortunately, I spoke to Edie.
She said that she couldn’t just «give» us a rabbit, we would need to take a class first… Oh, you already took it? (Fantastic memory.) Then she would need to do a home inspection, and… Oh, you already have a rabbit in your home? (Again, sharp as a tack.) Well, rabbits are extremely difficult to bond, we would need to schedule several «meet & greets» to make sure that they get along. Of course, she would supervise those, but her schedule is hectic. She could probably do next weekend – and then she would still need to do a home inspection (no, she couldn’t just look at pictures of my house)…
I understand that HRS wants rabbits go to good homes, and I support that goal. But rabbit care is not rocket science, and this level of frustration only encourages people to buy instead of adopt – particularly when the main person creating it is clearly unqualified to do so.
So last week, we gave up. We bought a rabbit from a breeder who talked to us without monopolizing hours of our time, gave us a booklet about rabbit care and a list of veterinarians, and encouraged us to call if we had any questions or problems. I carefully introduced the new bunny to the older bunny, and they bonded within a few days. They’re very happy together, and I’m very happy with them. It really wasn’t my intention to buy from a breeder, but HRS made adopting much too difficult and time-​consuming.
TLDR: Kudos to HRS for their rescue efforts, but I feel sorry for all the adoptable rabbits that will never find good homes because HRS is too anally retentive to let any go. I don’t want to discourage anyone from using rescues; but I hope that HRS will read this and consider how their own policies do.

I brought my rabbit here when he wouldn’t eat. They did everything in their power to help which was far more than I expected. A fine establishment. They carry all sorts of goodies for rabbit-​kind.

NEVER BUY A BUNNY FROM A PET STORE! If you are looking for a terrific pet rabbit, the Georgia House Rabbit Society is the place to go. These people care passionately about the well-​being of the animals they care for and do a great job in making sure people understand what pet rabbits are all about. I have adopted through them and recently worked with them to bring in a dumped rabbit (presumably from the pet store down the road). Please bypass pet stores and contact the wonderful people at the Georgia House Rabbit Society!

We just love this place and these people. About 2 and a half years ago we found ourselves a homeless bunny. We took him home thinking first, that he was a small bunny someone had lost or let go, and second, that we would find a good home for him. Turned out that we became that home. Turned out that he was going to grow quite a bit and that he was going to need neutering. Nonetheless, he became a really exceptional companion that fit right in with our parrots and seemed to fill the void of doglessness. (We love dogs but are not willing to risk the life of a parrot that is an escape artist by bringing in meat eating pets with teeth)
Not long after our boy was neutered we noticed some odd behavior and upon finding the House Rabbit Society on the internet, shot them an email. They were quick to offer assistance and take a look at him. That was our first visit and we learned an incredible amount about Bunnies in a very short time. Fast forward to the present. Our beloved boy wasn’t doing so good. And again the House Rabbit Society was there for him and for us. They helped us get him eating better and feeling better. They also helped him by finding him a friend, explaining that bunnies that have a friend often do better than single bunnies, but remain loving.
They are very careful to make certain they are doing the best thing for the animal. We’re in ‘trial bonding’ at our place, to make sure the two can develop a solid, healthy bond, and it seems to be going well. I can definitely attest to the humor and affection we are enjoying. Our ‘adoptee’ had a severely broken leg/​hip when the society received her, so one leg sticks out at an odd angle, but you’d certainly never know it from the way she gets on.
Kudos to all of these people — kind hearted volunteers that work with these gentle and loving creatures

GHRS is a society that’s focused on saving and finding good homes for house rabbits. They have a house on Shallowford road that acts as a shelter for rabbits, and have a number of very dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers that run the place.
They are all bunny lovers there, and have been doing this for years. They take two classes there as well which are called Bunny 101 and Bunny 201 which are for people who want to adopt rabbits and care for rabbits and you can learn a lot from those classes.
In fact if you have to adopt a rabbit from GHRS — it is mandatory to take the Bunny 101 class, and having attended the class and having kept rabbits as pets in my childhood — I can tell you that there is a lot you learn in there, and a lot you unlearn as well.
There are many misconceptions when it comes to caring for rabbits, and the classes help clear those and get an accurate picture of what you are getting into by adopting a rabbit.
One great thing I learned there was Simethicone which is a medicine for infant gas problems is also a wonderful medicine for rabbits. This info came in really handy when the bunny we were fostering from GHRS fell ill and refused to eat one morning. I gave her the medicine and within a few hours she was back to her hoppy self!
I have regularly interacted with Edie and Charla at the center and they have answered a lot of questions and been very helpful with having a bunny, and their love for bunnies, untiring work and knowledge about them is really wonderful and quite inspiring as well.
The shelter also has food, toys and litter for bunnies and it’s great to buy these things from there instead of a pet store because you know they have given a lot of thought to what’s best for the bunnies and everything there is safe and healthy for them.
This is an amazing place, and if you have the slightest interest in bunnies you should pay a visit sometime.