Published: Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Everett Animal Farm offers ‘test drive’ rabbits for adoption
Everett Animal Farm offers 'test drive' rabbits
-
Dan Bates / The Herald
As teacher's aide Kaitlin Dean (left rear) watches, assistant teacher Katie Jenks lets Grayson Dean, 5, get a closer look at Lady on the final day of a rabbit rental Friday morning at Kids Way Child Care and Early Learning Center in Lake Stevens.
EVERETT -- Please, please, please can I have a bunny?
The answer is probably yes -- at least for a few days -- if you're asking Everett's Animal Farm.
All summer long the city's petting farm at Forest Park allows people to take home a domestic rabbit for three nights.
It's an opportunity for families to test run caring for a pet before committing, farm manager Sherry Russell said.
It's often a good thing for the bunnies, too. Many are unwanted animals donated to the city. All the animals are usually snapped up by summer's end.
"Some families decide it's not for them," Russell said. "Everybody seems to enjoy the experience."
Give the Animal Farm $25 and, in return, take home a bunny and its various accoutrements: a cage, shavings, extra hay, food and a water bottle.
The 20-some bunnies come in all colors and breeds. They have names like Sir Elton, Bun Bun and Lady.
Like people, they have different personalities. Some get so excited their little noses can't stop twitching. Others are shy.
The farm doesn't want to send the wascally wabbits home with any Elmer J. Fudds. Farm staff take time to educate children and their parents on how to properly care for the animals.
It's quite a responsibility.
Bunnies need a stress-free area away from other pets. They need fresh water and bunny pellets delivered on a feeding schedule; the wrong kind of treats could be toxic.
Their cages need to be cleaned daily. They require gentle handling and some time alone.
Mom and Dad should supervise children when they play with the bunnies.
It's a lot to remember, so the staff sends a two-page tip sheet home with families.
Alisha Piper of Lake Stevens said she'd recommended the experience to others. Her family has borrowed three bunnies, the first when her now-teenage daughter was just 4 years old. That first time, the bunny named Oreo nipped her daughter's finger. Other than that, it was a positive experience, she said.
"You can't rent anything like a puppy to see if the kids are too young," she said. "It's the perfect experience to test them out."
Her daughter, Kylie, 13, has lately been begging her parents for a bunny. Instead, they let her take one home this summer, and Kylie took complete responsibility for the animal's care.
"She was dying to do it," her mother said. "She wants a bunny but I'm not going to get her one. We have a cat, a dog and a fish."
Day care centers even borrow the bunnies. Children at Kids Way Child Care and Early Learning Center in Lake Stevens recently got to play with the bunny named Lady for four days.
Director Kymm Shipman observed, "The novelty of cleaning up the poop has worn off by the fourth day for most kids."
Like all pets, there's some risk, said Lori Cummings, assistant director for parks and recreation.
"We're cautious that the bunnies we provide are docile, loving and caring," she said. "But there is risk associated with these types of recreational opportunities."
That's why the farm tells families to wash their hands to prevent disease after playing with bunnies, and to wear long sleeves when picking them up to prevent scratches.
The popular program has been in place since 1997. To date, there have been no bunny tragedies -- either for families or the animals, she said.
If you're interested, the farm manager recommends visiting the farm, talking with staff and making a reservation before taking one home.
For more information, call the Animal Farm at 425-257-8303.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.
It's all happening at the farm
Everett's Animal Farm is located at Forest Park, 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd. The farm is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Aug. 14. More info: 425-257-8303.
The answer is probably yes -- at least for a few days -- if you're asking Everett's Animal Farm.
All summer long the city's petting farm at Forest Park allows people to take home a domestic rabbit for three nights.
It's an opportunity for families to test run caring for a pet before committing, farm manager Sherry Russell said.
It's often a good thing for the bunnies, too. Many are unwanted animals donated to the city. All the animals are usually snapped up by summer's end.
"Some families decide it's not for them," Russell said. "Everybody seems to enjoy the experience."
Give the Animal Farm $25 and, in return, take home a bunny and its various accoutrements: a cage, shavings, extra hay, food and a water bottle.
The 20-some bunnies come in all colors and breeds. They have names like Sir Elton, Bun Bun and Lady.
Like people, they have different personalities. Some get so excited their little noses can't stop twitching. Others are shy.
The farm doesn't want to send the wascally wabbits home with any Elmer J. Fudds. Farm staff take time to educate children and their parents on how to properly care for the animals.
It's quite a responsibility.
Bunnies need a stress-free area away from other pets. They need fresh water and bunny pellets delivered on a feeding schedule; the wrong kind of treats could be toxic.
Their cages need to be cleaned daily. They require gentle handling and some time alone.
Mom and Dad should supervise children when they play with the bunnies.
It's a lot to remember, so the staff sends a two-page tip sheet home with families.
Alisha Piper of Lake Stevens said she'd recommended the experience to others. Her family has borrowed three bunnies, the first when her now-teenage daughter was just 4 years old. That first time, the bunny named Oreo nipped her daughter's finger. Other than that, it was a positive experience, she said.
"You can't rent anything like a puppy to see if the kids are too young," she said. "It's the perfect experience to test them out."
Her daughter, Kylie, 13, has lately been begging her parents for a bunny. Instead, they let her take one home this summer, and Kylie took complete responsibility for the animal's care.
"She was dying to do it," her mother said. "She wants a bunny but I'm not going to get her one. We have a cat, a dog and a fish."
Day care centers even borrow the bunnies. Children at Kids Way Child Care and Early Learning Center in Lake Stevens recently got to play with the bunny named Lady for four days.
Director Kymm Shipman observed, "The novelty of cleaning up the poop has worn off by the fourth day for most kids."
Like all pets, there's some risk, said Lori Cummings, assistant director for parks and recreation.
"We're cautious that the bunnies we provide are docile, loving and caring," she said. "But there is risk associated with these types of recreational opportunities."
That's why the farm tells families to wash their hands to prevent disease after playing with bunnies, and to wear long sleeves when picking them up to prevent scratches.
The popular program has been in place since 1997. To date, there have been no bunny tragedies -- either for families or the animals, she said.
If you're interested, the farm manager recommends visiting the farm, talking with staff and making a reservation before taking one home.
For more information, call the Animal Farm at 425-257-8303.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.
It's all happening at the farm
Everett's Animal Farm is located at Forest Park, 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd. The farm is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Aug. 14. More info: 425-257-8303.
Comments
(
