Forwarded message - please reply to karalee@columbusrabbit.org

Rabbits from FirePaw
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 15:37:05 +0000

HUMANE RABBIT CARE CAMPAIGN

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SOURCE: Columbus House Rabbit Society

Each year, we face the inevitable problem of unwanted Easter rabbits.
In addition to the suffering experienced by these often poorly cared
for creatures, the costs imposed on our organizations' resources and
volunteers are significant. Columbus (Ohio) House Rabbit Society
believes that the problem is best addressed at its source: change the
public's attitude towards rabbits and reduce the number of uninformed
purchases. In the same way that the need to spay and neuter cats and
dogs is recognized by the majority of Americans, we believe that the
message to not buy rabbits as Easter gifts can become an integral
part of American views on companion animals.

Two years ago, in an attempt to address the problem, Columbus House
Rabbit Society began the "Make Mine Chocolate!" campaign. Ceramic
pins in the form of chocolate bunnies symbolize the campaign's goals
of discouraging the casual purchase of rabbits and educating the
public about the special needs of these often-fragile creatures.
Wearing the pin provides the opportunity to share our message with
the general public. These informal conversations are supported by a
card that is distributed with each pin, and by business cards that
can be handed out to interested parties. Both the pin card and the
business card list important facts that should be considered before
bringing a rabbit into the home.

Although our campaign has been very successful, changing the public's
attitudes requires a broad campaign of national scope. Because such
an effort requires significant resources, our first step was to apply
for a grant from the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust to help with
startup costs. In late August, we were extremely gratified to learn
that our grant proposal was approved. However, financial resources
are only one type of resource that a national campaign requires.
Building off of the concept of strength in numbers, we would like to
invite your HRS chapter, rabbit rescue, humane society, or animal
welfare organization (or you, if you are an independent fosterer or
educator) to partner with us on this important campaign. We believe
that you and your organization can both benefit from the work that
has already been done and contribute to broadening its effectiveness.
We have a catchy theme, "Make Mine Chocolate!", which is supported by
our "Make Mine Chocolate!" pins, magnets, and clothing. Our
partnership wholesale pricing makes our products valuable fundraising
tools for your organization. We have a marketing strategy in place
that has already created interest in the campaign by the national
media. Also, we have begun work on a new website,
www.makeminechocolate.org, that will feature interactive content and
games to educate visitors about the responsibilities of rabbit
ownership and proper care of companion rabbits.

Columbus HRS is committed to supporting our partners in their efforts
to bring this campaign to their local communities. We will encourage
interested visitors to support our campaign through their local "Make
Mine Chocolate!" campaign partner by providing a link to your
organization's website or listing your individual contact information
on the partners page. As partners, we can reach every community in
America and change the way the general public thinks about companion
rabbits. Together, we can improve the lives of thousands of domestic
rabbits nationwide.

If you would like more information about the "Make Mine Chocolate!"
campaign, please visit our website (www.makeminechocolate.org) and
review our brochure, which can be found at
www.makeminechocolate.org/mmcbrochure.pdf. If you have additional
questions or would like to partner with us, please contact Terri Cook
at mmcinfo@makeminechocolate.org or me
(karalee@columbusrabbit.org).

Thank you for your consideration. Please feel free to forward this
invitation to other interested people.
Karalee Curry
Chapter Manager, Columbus House Rabbit Society

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Jan. 26, 2005