Patches

We must sadly inform our readers that the World Bird Sanctuary’s loveable little “velveteen” rabbit, Patches, passed away on April 14, 2014.

Even though she was technically a Mini Rex rabbit, anyone who has ever stroked her soft fur will know why this breed is popularly know as the “Velveteen Rabbit”. 

Patches was whelped at the Ralston Purina farm in Grey Summit, Missouri in 2005.  She was part of their rabbit nutrition study program which monitored the health and growth rate of the animals when fed different foods.  As she matured she became one of their breeders as a continuing part of the program.  When Purina was purchased by another corporation, their rabbit nutrition program was phased out.  We were fortunate to acquire Patches and another rabbit for our Education Department.  Patches had already had several litters by the time she came to live at WBS.

Patches settled right in to her new job as official greeter for the youngsters who visited our Nature Center.  She also was an important part of the WBS education programs that traveled to elementary schools to teach youngsters the differences between birds, mammals and reptiles.  She was one of our “touchable” animals and was always patient and docile when little hands were feeling her soft fur.

Patches will be missed by staff and visitors alike--and especially by the children who make a beeline for her enclosure when entering the Nature Center.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

Adopt A Bunny - Patches

PATCHES' STORY

Species: Mini Rex Rabbit

Whelped:  2005

Patches was whelped at the Ralston Purina farm in Grey Summit, Missouri.  She was part of their rabbit nutrition study program which monitored the health and growth rate of the animals when fed different foods.  As she matured she became one of their breeders as a continuing part of the program.  Patches has had several litters.  When Purina was purchased by another corporation their rabbit nutrition program was phased out, and we were fortunate to acquire Patches and another rabbit for our education department programs.

Patches is a Mini Rex, also known as Velveteen Rabbit.  Her coloration pattern is known as Broken Castor (Castor is the name for the dark patches).  Mini Rex rabbits typically weigh between 3 to 4 1/2 lbs. (Patches weighs slightly more than that right now.)  The Mini Rex was derived from the Standard Rex breed, which is larger (typically weighing between 7 1/2 to 10 1/2 lbs.)  

Now that Patches is a part of our education team she will spend her days meeting young visitors at our Nature Center in Valley Park, and traveling to schools and preschools as part of our Critters for Kids, and Fur, Feathers and Scales programs.  

To adopt Patches, simply click our DONATION button, make a donation of $50, and specify in your payment notes:  Adopt-A-Bunny: Patches.  Also, be sure you include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the animal of your choice!  Adopt A Bunny parents receive:

* A personal visit with the animal you adopt!!  Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for your personal visit.

* Certificate of Adoption

* Color photo of the animal you have adopted

* Sponsorship card

* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)

* Life History and Natural History of the animal

* 10% discount off WBS merchandise

* Invitations to special Sponsors Only events like Camera Day

* Discounts on WBS special events

* WBS decal

Bunnies At A Bird Sanctuary???

Why do we have bunnies, you may ask....

Meet Patches and Hazel, our two newest residents.  They came to us from Purina's Research Farm when the Rabbit Nutrition Study program was phased out.  

Patches is a Broken Castor color Mini Rex rabbit.  She is 4 years old and has already had several litters.  When Patches arrived she was already very calm and didn't seem to mind being handled and petted.

Hazel is 2 years old and has had several litters also.  She too is a Mini Rex rabbit and a good example of the Castor color.

When she first arrived at WBS Hazel was docile, but a bit jumpy about being stroked.  However, since our animals are handled on a daily basis, she is already finding that being stroked by humans isn't such a bad thing, and now seems to be enjoying the contact with our staff and our small visitors. 

This brings us to why there are bunnies at a Bird Sanctuary!  A great many of our outreach programs are presented at preschools and elementary schools, for audiences ranging from two to fourteen year olds.  The first impulse for this age child is to want to touch the animals.  Unfortunately, our birds are not touchable.  However, the bunnies and guinea pigs are very touchable and satisfy this urge.  Plus, they help us to explain the differences between birds, mammals and reptiles to the children.  So....the bunnies are very important members of our education team.

When you come to visit, be sure to stop by to see and pet Patches and Hazel.  When you pet them you'll realize why this breed is also referred to as "The Velveteen Rabbit".