May 2, 2011
Easter Dumps Start Early this Year
On the Monday after Easter, Facebook exploded with the story of the first abandoned Easter rabbit of 2011. Fortunately, thanks to Erinn and our good friends at Red Door Animal Shelter in Chicago, this sweet bunny will get a loving home just as quickly as the welcome at his first home wore off.
Erinn sent this story of Fozzy's brief time as an Easter bunny.
FOZZY'S STORYIt was the day after Easter and I was sitting at home watching TV with my four other bunnies. I had just put another load of laundry in the dryer and was just glad to not be out in the cold and wind. My phone rang, and it was a friend of mine. The day before, on Easter Sunday, she had seen her neighbors take a cage with a bunny inside their house. Twenty four hours later, the bunny was sitting in his cage out by the trash cans on the curb. Knowing that I was a bunny lover and that I was a volunteer for Red Door, my friend called me and asked if I would come rescue the bunny who had obviously worn out his welcome as an Easter gift. Sadly, she could not take him inside her home because of her dogs, so I had to hurry.
When I got there, the poor thing was shivering from being out in the cold rain for hours. I immediately wrapped him in my coat and put his cage in the car. I turned the heater on high and sat him in my lap for the ride home. By the time we got home, he was warmed up, but obviously still shaken up by the events of the day. I wrapped him in a blanket and turned on the wedding music CD I had been listening to earlier. As it turns out, he loves classical music and immediately perked up and began to relax.
A few hours later my fiancé came home from work, and we named the little Harlequin-Lionhead-Lop mix Fozzy. Although we already had four bunnies, we knew this little guy was special and that he was not going anywhere. I took him to Red Door so that he could be checked over and given a clean bill of health. He had his ears cleaned and his fur trimmed. Now he looks like a million dollars and spends his time stealing hearts. Since we are believers in bonding bunnies, as they are very loving creatures, we are considering bringing home a friend for him after he is neutered.
Thankfully, Fozzy's story has a happy ending, and we are very grateful that Erinn was able to get to him in time.
Posted by Terri at 7:12 PM
April 24, 2011
Happy Hoppy Easter!
Happy Easter from everyBUN at "Make Mine Chocolate!"
Hope your holiday is filled with delight!
We'd like to thank each one of our supporters for your ongoing efforts to help the bunnies: one flyer, poster, email, or conversation at a time! However you do it, it all adds up to another great campaign!
For some last-minute Easter reading, we encourage you to visit these sites:
Posted by Terri at 1:19 PM
April 17, 2011
Basketful of Events for MMC Partner West Michigan Critter Haven
New MMC Partner West Michigan Critter Haven has already had a whole basketful of events this Spring to support the "Make Mine Chocolate!" campaign!
On March 26th, they hosted a table during Kid's Day at Younker's at Rivertown Mall in Grandville, MI. Three foster buns helps staff a booth which displayed the MMC flier. The centerpiece of their table an Easter basket of bunny shaped chocolates and plastic carrots filled with jellybeans. Booth visitors enjoyed the candy while they flipped through a binder of adoptable pets and learned about responsible rabbit ownership.
They held another Make Mine Chocolate educational event on Saturday, April at the Pet Supplies Plus Store in Grandville, MI. The centerpiece of their table was again the MMC flier and a large Easter basket filled with chocolate along with handmade bunny toys demonstrated good alternatives to live rabbits for Easter gifts. They proudly displayed two recent issues of Cats and Dogs magazine which included stories from WMCH telling the true personalities of house rabbits. Kids attending the event were entertained with educational word searches, crossword puzzles and other handouts promoting proper rabbit care and nutrition. A big thanks to fosters Dave and Lisa V. (pictured) who staffed the WMCH table.
Posted by Terri at 4:31 PM
April 10, 2011
MMC gets some VaVaVaVOOM!
When blogger Jennifer Holsman spotted our Partnership with Rescue Chocolate, the makers of fair-trade, vegan chocolate whose proceeds are donated to help animal rescue groups, she felt inspired to resurrect her own dormant website. VaVaVaVegan is where she combines her love of pop culture and fashion and her devotion to animal welfare. She gives commentary on everything from how and where to find animal-friendly accessories and beauty products to tips and tricks on updating your cruelty-free wardrobe! And did I mention she's a bunny-parent to boot? It all adds up to a pretty glam Partnership, and we're happy to have her on board!
Now, go make yourself fierce!
Posted by Terri at 7:05 PM
April 9, 2011
Busy April for F5RS in Northeast Ohio
F5RS in Northeast Ohio is at it again, with a very active April schedule to promote MMC and responsible rabbit ownership before Easter! Here's a look at what they've got coming up this month:
April 9-30th
This Easter Sponsor a Bun and help a rescue/sanctuary bunny. Your sponsorship will help with food, treats and vet care. Sponsor a Bun for Easter will focus on bunny education and why not to buy that cute pet store baby bun. Using Make Mine Chocolate educational materials and our own booklets we hope to make people think before buying. We will have a special sponsor program featuring some of our sanctuary bunnies. When you sponsor a Bun for Easter you get an Easter Bun picture and a gift with your sponsor packet!
April 9-10
Come see our adoptable bunnies! We will have foods, treats, gifts, Make Mine Chocolate raffles baskets and a great tattoo raffle! Bunny educational materials will be available. Bunnies are available to go to new homes May 1st.
April 16-17th
Bring your bunny to get pictures with our Easter Bunny!
Pictures with pets and kids Saturday 12:00-2:00 & 4:00-6:00, and Sunday 12:00-3:00.
$5.00 donation.
We will have adoptable bunnies to meet, bunny supplies, our raffle baskets and bunny educational materials. Bunnies are available to go to new homes May 1st.
April 23rd
We will be at Angels for Animals in Canfield, OH with our adoptable bunnies for you to meet, bunny foods, treats and educational materials. 12:00-3:00
If you are in the Youngstown/Warren/Niles area, we encourage you to stop by and support them in their campaign!
Posted by Terri at 6:37 PM
March 16, 2011
Featured Partner - Rescue Chocolate
We've got an exciting new MMC Partner this year - Rescue Chocolate out of New York City. They specialize in vegan/kosher chocolate and donate their profits to support animal rescue groups. This April, they have designated the House Rabbit Society as the beneficiary. So every chocolate bunny or creme-filled egg you buy will help HRS!
Flavors include Peanut Butter Pit Bull, Pick Me! Pepper, Fosterrific Peppermint, Mission Feral Fig, The Fix, Wild At Heart, and Bow Wow Bon Bons.
Thank you, Rescue Chocolate for supporting Make Mine Chocolate!
Posted by Terri at 9:50 PM
March 14, 2011
Mahoning Valley MMC with F5RS
Frisky Ferrets, Fuzzies, & Feathered Friends Rescue & Sanctuary (F5RS) is already in the middle of a very busy MMC season! They have several upcoming events, which will get underway by with a TV appearance on March 30!
On April 2-3rd, they will have a large display at the Northeast Ohio Pet Expo at the Eastwood Expo Center, 5555 Youngstown Warren Road, Niles. Hours are Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
April 9-10th will see them at Petco's Adoption Options at the store in Boardman (317 Boardman Poland Road, Boardman, OH 44512). They had a MMC banner made and we hear it looks great! They will have fantastic raffle baskets with donated chocolate, bunnies and more, from Giannios Candy, a beautiful bunny painting, and a tattoo raffle.
The weekend before Easter (April 16-17th), they will have a Pet Pics with the Easter Bunny day! They will be showcasing Compassionate Photography and Make Mine Chocolate by having a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bunny) to have pictures taken with our Easter Bunny.
And finally, they deserve a big "Congratulations" for being the winner of Petfinder.com's contest entitled "How Did You Celebrate Adopt-A-Rescued Rabbit Month?" The contest was held at the end of February to close out "Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month" nationwide. F5RS shared their winning entry, below:
"How Did You Celebrate Adopt-A-Rescued Rabbit Month? We had a great celebration at Petco for Adopt-A-Rescued Rabbit Month! We Advertised "Meet the Real Housebunnies of F5RS" and combined an adoption day with bunny education. We had bunny wellness checkups, bunny massage classes, an educational children's story featuring our bunny Goodwill Ambassador, Jefe, and Make Mine Chocolate raffle baskets with the chocolate bunnies provided by local candymaker Giannios candy. We had our bunnies set up in play areas to show what a good bunny home area looks like, and lots of handouts of bun information. This was an all day event. Our local newspaper covered our event, (the reporter was obsessed with the bunny massage class) and we had a large article written stressing spay and neuter and health care. We also promoted the month and activities on the Louie Free radio show, and on our websites, newsletter, Facebook, and in our calendar. This was February 12. On the 13, we attended a Valentine event at Petco with the bunnies so people could come and do meet n greets with our bunnies that they saw on Saturday. (We don't do instant adoptions.) Then on the 19, and 20 we attended Petco's Adoption Options Weekend with the same display, raffles, bunny information and some of our buns. We are setting up the same Adopt A Rescued Rabbit month display on February 27. Whew! What a month!
Posted by Terri at 10:03 PM
April 11, 2010
Happy Easter!!
THIS is the RIGHT way to do Easter photos with kids!!! The photos are beautiful, the chocolate (reportedly) was delicious, and everyone is happy! The best part: no REAL bunnies were harmed in the process - though we can't say the same for some of those tasty chocolate ears! Cheri Frost says, "The children loved them and everyone left with with sticky fingers smelling of chocolate...which is a Very Good Thing!"
Thanks again to FRANK FROST PHOTOGRAPHY for supporting Make Mine Chocolate!
Posted by Terri at 10:40 PM
March 30, 2010
Rescue Chocolate in NYC
An MMC supporter tipped us off to these folks in New York City. Not exactly MMC-related (yet, we'll work on 'em for next year), but good eggs nonetheless. The Brooklyn-based company is called Rescue Chocolate - they make vegan chocolate and offer vegan creme eggs for Easter and kosher vegan chocolate matzohs for Passover. But the BEST part is that they donate 100% of their net profits to rescue and animal-rights organizations. That makes them alright with us!
Posted by Terri at 10:06 PM
March 21, 2010
A Big Win for COMPASSION
This is an excerpt email we received from Cheri Frost of Frank Frost Photography in Albuquerque, NM.
My husband and I own a professional photography studio in Albuquerque, NM and over the past fifteen years, we've always photographed children at Easter with live rabbits.We are members of PPA and WPPI and while perusing their website, I was made aware of your Make Mine Chocolate campaign and it has changed the way we are photographing children this year. We are filling the set with chocolate bunnies and we can't wait!
If you are in the Albuquerque area, please consider supporting them by having your Easter photos taken with their CHOCOLATE bunnies! And be sure to THANK THEM for their compassion!
Frank Frost Photography
7400 Montgomery Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
505.293.2724
www.FrankFrost.com
Become a Fan on Facebook
Posted by Terri at 10:44 PM
March 18, 2010
Make Mine WINE and Chocolate!
Sher-Bliss, a chocolate and wine shop in Gahanna, is our newest local Partner.
Not only are they sharing the MMC message, they are donating a portion of the sales of two of their popular Easter items to the Columbus House Rabbit Society to support the "Make Mine Chocolate!" campaign!
Available in-store or online, they are offering their "Bliss in a Bottle" - a bottle of Rabbit Ridge Bunny Cuvee dipped in milk, dark, or white chocolate for $29.99, or their solid 1 lb Belgian chocolate Easter bunny for $29.50. Prices are before tax, shipping and handling - they ship via UPS throughout the continental US.
"Cuvee" is a wine made from a blend of grapes. According to their website, Rabbit Ridge's Bunny Cuvee is approximately 40% Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot) blended with approximately 60% Petite Sirah. Interestingly, the term "Cuvee" also applies to chocolate that is blended to produce a certain taste.
Each item will have a tag specifying that a donation was made.
Posted by Terri at 12:00 AM
March 15, 2010
New Shelter - New Partner
The Ohio House Rabbit Rescue is a new group dedicated to the rescue and adoption of house rabbits and to the education of current and potential pet parents and the general public. Their goal is to build a new rabbit-only animal shelter in Central Ohio to provide a quality environment for rescued house rabbits while they wait to be adopted into loving homes.
Currently, OHRR is competing for a $250,000 grant from the Pepsi Company that would provide the money necessary to get started on their shelter project. You can help them by voting for OHRR every day in March. For you vote to count, be sure to "sign in" at the bottom left hand corner, then click on "Vote for this idea." Be sure to sign in every day before voting.
Posted by Terri at 12:00 AM
March 14, 2010
MMC Down Under
We are pleased to announce a new international partnership with Wildwood Rabbit Stud and SA Rabbit Rescue, an organization in South Australia that is an integral part of rabbit rescue in that part of the world. When founder Sally Arnold started SA Rabbit Rescue when she discovered the Animal Welfare League in South Australia was overwhelmed with the number of rabbits coming in, she started a home based shelter. Most people in SA, North, South, East and West of the city know or have heard about Sally's shelter and come to her for adoption pet rabbits. Now she will be working with MMC to educate people in South Australia and Australia! Welcome aboard!Posted by Terri at 3:26 PM
March 1, 2010
Luv-A-Bun
Luv-A-Bun, a rescue group in Florida, is participating in MMC for the second year. This year, one of their volunteers is making yummy chocolates. The group is contacting local exotic vets and pediatricians and asking them to place the MMC information in their offices, and offer the chocolates for sale/donation. Great idea!Posted by Terri at 7:52 PM
February 23, 2010
Even Better than the Real Thing? 8 Reasons to Choose a Chocolate Bunny This Easter
Think a bunny would make the perfect Easter gift? For live rabbits, the caring goes on after Easter. Ask yourself these eight questions to find out if you are rabbit-ready.
Fairfaix VA: Bella, a brown and white Dutch mix rabbit, spends her days hiding under furniture, sneaking into the kitchen, and being scratched between the ears by her owner Barbara Post. Nine years ago, however, she was alone and abandoned in a cage at a shelter with an uncertain future. Originally purchased by a family as an Easter bunny, they soon grew tired of caring for her and gave her up for adoption. At the time, Barbara was looking for a companion for her first rabbit, a purebred Mini Rex named Fox. The House Rabbit Society introduced Fox to a variety of rabbits to help find him the perfect fit.
"Fox was very aloof," Barbara said. "Girl rabbits would come up to him and he would not even pay attention. And then we put Bella in with him and they immediately started playing and running around. You could tell right away that they were going to be a good fit. So I adopted her." Thanks to the efforts of the House Rabbit Society, Bella now enjoys a carefree life with a loving family, but not all rabbits are so lucky.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that thousands of rabbits end up in shelters or are abandoned into the wild after Easter each year. Rabbits are often turned away at shelters or are euthanized. Some rabbit owners release their "Easter bunny" into the wild, where rabbits can quickly fall victim to predators, injury, or illness.
Anyone who is considering buying a live rabbit for Easter needs to ask the following questions:
1. Are you ready for a roommate?
Rabbits are social animals that are best kept indoors. Outside, rabbits are susceptible to extreme temperatures, fleas and disease.
2. Are you okay losing your cable television connection?
Some bunnies love to chew on rugs, furniture and electrical cords, which may need protection as if you were child-proofing your home.
3. Do you mind cleaning up a few accidents?
Rabbits can be trained to use litter boxes, but they may have an occasional accident.
4. Are you ready for a grooming session?
Bunnies groom themselves constantly, but they can benefit from being brushed regularly.
5. Can you watch their diet?
Rabbits need a diet of good quality pellets, fresh hay, fruits and vegetables, and plenty of clean water. They cannot live on carrots alone. In fact, because of the high sugar content, carrots should only be a treat.
6. Can you make a commitment?
The average spayed or neutered rabbit lives as long as a cat or dog. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest rabbit in the world lived to the age of 18.
7. Are you ready for two?
Rabbits are social creatures, and many do well with a companion.
8. Are you okay with allergies?
Allergies to pet hair are common, as are allergies to hay, which rabbits should always have available to them for healthy digestion.
If you answered "Yes" to all of these questions, then a rabbit may be a good pet for you to consider, not for just for Easter, but as a long-term commitment. Contact the local chapter of the House Rabbit Society or another rescue organization to find your perfect match.
If, however, you answered "No" to any of the above questions, consider buying chocolate bunnies to fill Easter baskets this year. The Columbus House Rabbit Society started the Make Mine Chocolate! campaign in 2002 to educate potential rabbit owners about the real challenges of raising a pet rabbit. The campaign advocates gifting chocolate bunnies instead of real ones at Easter for those who are not ready for a long-term commitment.
"Adopting a rabbit on the cute factor is not responsible," said Barbara. "There is a lot to know about a rabbit, and it is a commitment."
In addition to being the owner of a rescued Easter bunny, Barbara owns the Historical Chocolate Company, which specializes in recreating landmarks and historic buildings in chocolate. This year, she is combining her love of rabbits with her chocolate business and will be offering chocolate Easter rabbits patterned from antique chocolate molds. The Historical Chocolate Company will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Make Mine Chocolate! campaign and the House Rabbit Society's Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia chapter so that rabbits like Bella find a home.
About The Historical Chocolate Company:
The Historical Chocolate Company specializes in reproducing America's historic landmarks in milk, dark, and white chocolate for wedding favors, special events, corporate gifts, and gift/retail shops. Visit www.historicalchocolate.com, www.facebook.com/HistoricalChocolate and twitter.com/HistoricalChoc for more information.
About the Make Mine Chocolate! Campaign:
The Make Mine Chocolate! campaign was launched in 2002 by the Columbus House Rabbit society to educate the public on the realities of living with a rabbit. The campaign teaches rabbit owners proper rabbit-caring techniques and encourages people to purchase chocolate or toy rabbits rather than live ones at Easter. Learn more at MakeMineChocolate.org.
About The House Rabbit Society:
The House Rabbit Society is an international, nonprofit organization based in Richmond, CA, with two main goals: to rescue and re-home abandoned rabbits, and to improve rabbits' lives by helping people better understand these often misunderstood companion animals, through its publications, website, educational materials and classes. For more information, visit www.rabbit.org.
About PawPrints Photography:
Award-winning photographer Robin Burkett, owner of PawPrints Photography based in Alexandria, Va., specializes in photographing pets and the people who love them. Her work has been featured in numerous local and national publications. Robin often donates products and services to local animal rescue organizations. Visit www.pawprintsphotography.com to view her work.
Posted by Terri at 10:05 PM
March 16, 2008
Hop on Down the Bunny Trail in Knoxville!
The Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville, TN is planning a fun Easter event:
When: Saturday, March 22, 10:00 – 10:00 am
Where: Young-Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919
Visit the Animal Center for some spring fun! There will be an egg hunt (bring your own basket), rabbit education station, an opportunity to make a shelter rabbit a toy, an area for kids’ crafts, give-aways and treats, light refreshments, and adoptable animals--including rabbits! Contact Deonna Light at dlight@knoxpets.org or 865-215-6662 for more information about this fun and FREE event.
Posted by Terri at 11:05 PM
March 9, 2008
MMC in the UK
Our supporters in Great Britain will be happy to know that the Make Mine Chocolate! signature pins are now available without having to pay for international shipping! The Hay Experts, one of our UK Partners, is carrying the pins on their website. Proceeds from sales of the pins will go to a local rabbit rescue.
Posted by Terri at 9:11 PM
April 7, 2007
Good Eggs
Working right up to the last minute, here's what our supporters have been up to in the past few days:
From Wichita: Joyce Gedraitis of Bunny TNT appeared on the KSN Channel 3 news in Wichita on April 4th. Watch the video!
From Philadelphia: We've heard that 6-ABC consumer reporter Nydia Han ran a spot on her news show this week, and radio station WOGL welcomed a guest from the Philadelphia Zoo who shared our message about rabbits as Easter pets.
From Columbus: Columbus HRS's Karalee Curry is scheduled to make a guest appearance on The Rolonda Watts Show on Monday, April 9th at 12:06 EDT. Be sure to log on and listen!
Posted by Terri at 11:19 PM
April 5, 2007
More Media Coverage!
Alabama EARS is making two appearances on TV this week. Candice Cordell of WVUA TV in Tuscaloosa arranged for them to be on the Midday Show on April 4th. Linda of Alambama EARS will also be on Good Day Alabama on Fox 6 at 8:25 am on Friday, April 6. They said, "yes, we will be bringing Easter baskets with chocolate bunnies!"
Karalee Curry of the Columbus House Rabbit Society and MMC Campaign appeared on the Louie Free radio program at 4pm on April 3rd. Louie Free broadcasts on WGFT 1330AM in Youngstown, Ohio and maintains a blog for his show.
Supporter Lois Veeder contacted her local paper, which resulted in an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer this past Sunday, complete with a picture of a woman holding a bunny. The article entitled "When They Stop Being Cute" appeared on the cover.
Columbus HRS member Wendy Marshner had a letter to the editor published in the April 4th Columbus Dispatch.
Our supporters and Partners are doing a fantastic job of keeping MMC in the news! Keep up the terrific work!
Posted by Terri at 12:14 AM
April 3, 2007
Bunnycam going dark for Easter
In a bold move, the Brooklyn Bunny Cam is going dark (well, pink) for Easter. Because this live cam shows Roebling the Brooklyn Bunny in all his bunny cuteness, his webmasters fear that he could inspire some viewers to acquire a bunny of their own without realizing the enormous responsiblities of rabbit guardianship. So, in an effort to discourage impulse purchases, they have taken the bunny cam offline until after Easter. We salute them and eagerly await the return of Roebling.
The Brooklyn Bunny Live Cam is an MMC Friend through MySpace.
Posted by Terri at 12:06 AM
April 2, 2007
Iowa Partner hosts Easter event
Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue of Boone, IA is hosting an Easter event at a local Petco. Linda says, "The Manager at our Petco LOVES US." This particular Petco does not allow rabbit sales within ten days before or after Easter in the hope of preventing impulse purchases.
RVAS is offering photographs with a giant chocolate bunny, an in-store Easter egg hunt with "instant winner" tickets hidden in 25 of the 250 eggs they are hiding. The prize is - of course - a CHOCOLATE bunny! They will pass out MMC literature and have a bunny expert on site to answer any questions the public has on living with a bunny.
Posted by Terri at 11:55 PM
Partners in the News!
Our Partners are getting all kinds of media attention!
In Wichita, KS, Joyce (aka "Grandma Bunny") of Bunny TNT will be promoting MMC in her interview Tuesday, April 3rd on local NBC affiliate KSN's evening news.
Rabbit Haven of Santa Cruz, CA was featured in an article in the March 31 Kitsap Sun. The Sun paired the article with a streaming video/audio slideshow of Rabbit Haven's Sue Brennan telling the story of how her group began.
The Montgomery County (MD) Humane Society was featured in a terrific article in the DC Examiner. They are also hosting "Bunny Hop" events, to allow kids to interact with real rabbits and learn about responsible pet care.
Our own Terri Cook was interviewed for an article by Sunny Branson of the Catalyst magazine as well as for the Kitsup Sun article listed above.
MMC has also made the front page of the Pets section of the Humane Society of the United States' website.
If your group or organization has made the news, please let us hear about it! Email a description of your appearance and a link to mmcinfo@makeminechocolate.org
Posted by Terri at 11:47 PM
March 29, 2007
Badges and bunnies in San Diego
This weekend, the San Diego HRS chapter is hosting an educational event where they plan to pass out MMC flyers. They have been a fantastic Partner! But their real spark of genius this time was to dream up MMC "badges" for the kids (aka round sticky labels) with a ribbon at the bottom! They've also arranged for photos with the "Easter bunny" - a person in a bunny suit! Now that's the kind of Easter bunny we're talking about!
Posted by Terri at 11:47 PM
Bunny TNT on B98-FM
Bunny TNT was featured on the Brett & Tracy Morning Show on B98-FM in Wichita, KS last Monday. The family-oriented Brett & Tracy show is the top rated morning show in the city. Bunny TNT representatives Michael and Joyce shared the limelight with bunnies Sky and Marshmallow – be sure to check out their photos (on the right side of the page, scroll down). The also treated their hosts to MMC pins and chocolate bunnies from Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates!
Then, in a surprise gesture, B98-FM presented Bunny TNT with the "Make A Difference Monday" Award for bringing the Make Mine Chocolate campaign to Wichita! Congratulations on a great campaign and a terrific achievement!
Posted by Terri at 9:40 PM
March 28, 2007
George the Blogging Bunny
George, the Blogging Bunny is the author of "The Hay Diaries" and as an "Ex-Easter Dump", is a vocal supporter of "Make Mine Chocolate!".
He and his friends have quite a bit to say and it's a real kick to "hear" their opinions! We thank them for their support - keep spreading the word, George!
Posted by Terri at 11:14 PM
March 27, 2007
MMC fliers go home with students
Columbus HRS member Emilie Davis has been working with the Talawanda School Board in Oxford, OH to share the MMC message with students. She has arranged to have a “Make Mine Chocolate!” flier sent home with every child in the school district. “That's a lot of families that will get the word that rabbits don't make good Easter presents,” Emilie said. We say, “Good job, Emilie!”
Posted by Terri at 10:44 PM
March 26, 2007
Alabama EARS on the radio!
Representatives from Alabama EARS and sanctuary bunny, Morgan, were on Star 99.1 FM on a program called The Tennessean Journal on Sunday, March 25th. They said that even though the listeners couldn’t see or hear Morgan, she certainly gave a nice focus to the show.
Ruth Fledermaus says, “It was a pre-recorded show with announcer Mark Hunter, and he really made us sound great.” We know it’s because they are! Of course it doesn’t hurt that they took a big chocolate bunny basket with them!
Posted by Terri at 10:42 PM
Gourmet Chocolatier joins with Wichita Partner
Bunny TNT (Training, Nurturing, and Therapy) in Wichita, KS has teamed with premier local chocolatier Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates to distribute Make Mine Chocolate! pins.
Having the support of Cocoa Dolce will bring increased attention to the campaign, as it is “one of the hottest must-do's in the area.” The shop offers coffees and gelatos, but their chocolates are considered a true luxury. At Easter, some of their chocolate rabbits retail for $35, but we’ve heard they are worth every indulgent cent.
Bunny TNT will also be on the radio today to talk about their Make Mine Chocolate! campaign, including their partnerships with the local Humane Society and Cocoa Dolce.
Posted by Terri at 9:33 AM
March 25, 2007
Partner creates a great "treat" for the kids!
Ladies Blend, our natural bath and beauty Partner, has created a special product just for kids at Easter. They've also made a special page and added information about the Make Mine Chocolate mission and website, including links. These chocolate and vanilla scented bath salts are another option for parents, family and friends who are contemplating giving a rabbit to a child as an Easter gift. Ladies Blend is offering these wonderful natural products at an exceptional price for Easter. They also remind parents that "quality time teaching your children about natural bath goodies along with kindness and respect for animals is time well spent." We agree!Posted by Terri at 11:20 AM
March 21, 2007
Rabbit Central donating 5% of sales to MMC!
Rabbit Central is a corporate sponsor of the Make Mine Chocolate!
campaign and has come up with a great way to support MMC this year. 5% of every order using the MMC coupon code will be donated to our campaign, now through April 8th. I guess you know what that means....SHOP!
www.rabbitcentral.com/make-mine-chocolate.html
Posted by Terri at 5:24 PM
March 20, 2007
Outsiders Welcome
We’ve all been there – you start talking about animal welfare, and some people’s eyes glaze over and their attention wanders. They’re just not interested because you’re simply another animal group and they’ve heard it all before. So while it’s very important for MMC to have the support of other animal welfare groups, it’s also equally important for us to get support and attention from groups and individuals outside the animal welfare community. It’s often these connections that give us coverage in the “outside” world – that world beyond the reaches of our individual groups. This year, we are fortunate to be supported by the Master of Trenton-Cyrus Lodge #5, F & AM (Free and Accepted Masons) near Trenton, NJ. As Master, Brian Harper is responsible for publishing an electronic newsletter, through which the MMC message will reach about 400 members. Another important partnership is with the Fanciful Fanny, an online cloth diapering business, through which the MMC message will reach an important target group: parents of young children. Our Partnership with Ladies Blend, an online specialty cosmetics company, will reach women searching for natural beauty products. And we’ll reach knitting enthusiasts through Marlena Clark’s article and link on her knitting blog. These “outsiders” represent a wide range of members and customers, who will be more likely to listen to our message if they receive it from a source they trust on other issues and interests.
These are just some of the groups and individuals sharing the MMC message outside of the usual animal welfare circles. They can share our message with those who may not think like we do – those who might consider giving (or getting) a rabbit at Easter or those who have never considered the plight of Easter rabbits or know there is a problem.
We are grateful for the support of our non-traditional Partners. We’re counting on them to reach the folks we can’t.
Posted by Terri at 9:16 PM
February 28, 2007
National Confectioners Association partners with Make Mine Chocolate!
NCA is pleased to announce a partnership with "Make Mine Chocolate!" for Easter 2007. The goal of "Make Mine Chocolate!" is to educate the public of the challenges of properly caring for rabbits and to encourage them to purchase chocolate Easter bunnies instead of live rabbits. This Easter, NCA will tout a "Battle of the Bunnies" campaign and reveal results from a nationwide survey that show Americans prefer candy bunnies to live bunnies as Easter gifts. Visit NCA's web site or the Make Mine Chocolate! web site in the upcoming weeks for more news on this exciting partnership. Contact NCA's Susan Fussell at (703) 790-5750.Posted by Terri at 4:06 PM
March 29, 2006
Going Global
Last year we were surprised by the support we received from around the world. We were mentioned on several websites from Europe and Asia to Africa and Australia. This year, we are again receiving global support. In addition to our Canadian Partners, we have added Partners from the United Kingdom: Bunny Burrows joins us from North Yorkshire, and the Bunny Camp Sanctuary hails from West Yorkshire. A supporter in Melbourne, Australia is posting flyers in grocery windows, including one near a local pet store.
Posted by MMC Team at 8:40 PM
Support from the Great White North
This year, we have had the support of several groups and individuals from north of the border. Some of our Canadian Partners include the Small Animal Rescue Society of BC (SARS BC) in British Columbia, Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy, and the Lexington Road Animal Hospital in Waterloo, Ontario.
We’ve also had many individual Canadians showing their support by wearing our pins and shirts, printing and distributing our ads and flyers, writing letters to local newspapers, and appearing on television and radio shows.
We send a big, warm Thank You to our friends up North for helping to educate their countrymen about house rabbits.
Posted by MMC Team at 8:32 PM
Retail Partners Spread the Word
Some of our retail Partners have come up with a creative way to spread our message. Mail-order suppliers such as Rabbit Central and Cats & Rabbits & More are including one of the MMC flyers in all outgoing orders.
If you have a retail business and would like to support the campaign, consider slipping a postcard or flyer into each order or shopping bag. Our flyers can be found here.
What a great way to help save the lives of rabbits across the country!
Posted by MMC Team at 8:24 PM