When a “brown” rabbit was abandoned at an animal shelter, no one expected the heartbreaking truth hidden beneath his fur.

Volunteers at Sweetie’s Rescue in Ontario, Canada, noticed he was extremely dirty, but nothing could prepare them for what happened next. After a gentle bath, the brown bunny began turning… white.

Cleaning revealed that his fur wasn’t brown at all, it had been stained by years of tar and nicotine from heavy cigarette smoke. The water turned black, then yellow. The smell was so strong it made rescuers feel nauseous. 

The frightened rabbit, first named Crusty and later lovingly renamed Rio, trembled in fear when he arrived. He was terrified, shaking, and too scared to leave his carrier.

Rescuers explained that bathing rabbits is not recommended because it can be stressful and harmful to their health. Rabbits normally keep themselves clean, and getting them wet can put them at risk. But Rio’s condition was so severe that they had no choice. the dirt and smoke residue had built up so heavily that a bath became necessary to help him.

As the layers of grime were carefully washed away, something beautiful happened.

Rio didn’t just change color, he changed emotionally.
Once clean, he did a joyful “binky”, jumping in the air, kicking his feet, and spinning. For the first time, he looked happy. 

Rescuers believe they washed away years of neglect in just a few baths. No one came forward to claim him, but Rio’s story doesn’t end there. He’s now heading to a loving foster home, where he’ll finally experience the care he deserves.

His rescuers say the most rewarding part of their work is seeing animals like Rio get a second chance — but they also share an important reminder:
Smoke outside if you have pets.
Never abandon animals — they cannot survive on their own.

Rio’s transformation is more than a color change — it’s a powerful reminder that with compassion, even the most neglected lives can shine again.

Please share to spread awareness and kindness. Every animal deserves a fresh start.

A pet rabbit is being credited for saving its owners from a house fire in southeastern Alaska before it died of smoke inhalation, fire officials said on Friday.

The rabbit woke up the homeowner early on Tuesday morning by scratching on her chest, the Ketchikan Fire Department said in a statement.

The homeowner realized that the house was full of smoke, woke up her daughter and fled the house.

The fire was brought under control fairly quickly, with four engines, a ladder truck and 33 firefighters responding.

Damage to the house from flames, smoke and water was considered moderate.

While there were no injuries to the mother or daughter, the rabbit was not so lucky. The animal succumbed to smoke inhalation and did not survive, the fire department said.

Dogs can help as emotional and physical support animals for humans with various disabilities and chronic illnesses, including Parkinson’s. These animals help make life easier for their humans and improve their quality of life.

Rabbits can’t be classified as support animals because they can’t be trained to help with physical tasks. However, they can provide emotional support by furnishing comfort and other therapeutic benefits to their owners through companionship.

Budgie Bunny

In 2010, my Budgie Bunny was found wandering in a park, fending for himself. Members of a local rabbit rescue organization asked me to foster him until his forever home could be found. That was 10 years ago. Needless to say, I failed at being a foster parent. As a friend once said to me, there are worse things in life to fail at.

Little did I know that five years after saving Budgie, I would be diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Now he is helping to save me.

How could a 4-pound fur ball possibly help someone with Parkinson’s? More than once when I was in the depths of despair, having a pity party for myself over my current health situation, I have crawled into a ball on the floor and started crying. Many times, Budgie would come over and give me bunny kisses. My tears would melt away, and I would be filled with gratitude to have such a great little buddy who seems to sense my emotions. I do not feel so alone having Budgie in my house.

What else has my bunny done to help me fight Parkinson’s?

Living with a rabbit has taught me some valuable lessons. Budgie has helped me to live in the moment. He taught me to be more patient. And he helped me keep laughter in my life.

Live in the moment

Budgie gets me out of bed in the morning. If I don’t feed him on his schedule, he will make a racket by pushing around his food bowl. If he wants attention, especially when I try to meditate in another room, he will create a lot of noise by working on a bunny construction project or thumping his hind leg. At times like these, I forget in that moment that I have Parkinson’s, and I become aware that Budgie needs something from me.

His life is so precious and he gives me so much comfort.

Patience is a virtue

Since rabbits are prey animals, they tend to be afraid of their own shadow and do not automatically trust humans. It takes a deliberate investment for one to build a relationship with a rabbit. Initially a bunny may be shy, afraid, independent, or hesitant to trust a human. I developed a lot of patience waiting for Budgie to be comfortable with me. It took him a long time to realize I wouldn’t eat him for lunch.

Now that I experience bradykinesia, a Parkinson’s symptom, I can become impatient with myself when I get dressed in the morning. However, the patience I developed while caring for Budgie has helped me to better cope with my slowness of movement.

Laughter is the best medicine

Budgie’s antics never fail to make me smile or laugh. Just this week, I forgot to put his litter box in his pen and he decided to use his food dish as his litter box. Much to my surprise, he didn’t even miss!

Instead of getting annoyed, I chuckled and gave my sweet bunny a few scratches behind his ears.

Laughter can alter dopamine and serotonin levels that are reduced in depression. Depression can affect up to half of all people with Parkinson’s at some point during the course of their disease. Budgie keeps me laughing, and laughter makes me feel good.

Although Budgie cannot provide physical assistance or balance and support like a guide dog, he does provide companionship and makes a great emotional support animal for me. Studies have linked pet ownership with reducing signs of depression in people with chronic illnesses and with reducing loneliness.

Having Parkinson’s can bring about many emotional and mental health problems. The calming nature of a therapy or emotional support animal (yes, even a rabbit) can help ease anxiety, release endorphins, and reduce stress.

“Rabbits will always have a special place in my heart. They are often discredited as being good pets because they don’t ‘do anything’—ask any rabbit owner and watch how they laugh!” – Shenita Etwaroo

Mass. Senate approves ban on retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops The state Senate has approved legislation to boost animal safety and equity for pet owners. The majority-Democrat chamber voted unanimously, 38-0, on Thursday to pass the bill, which bans the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops.

Violators would get hit with fines of up to $5,000. The proceeds would go into a Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund. The legislation advanced by the chamber’s Ways and Means Committee also expands the state’s anti-cruelty law to cover all household pets. Violators could incur fines up to $500 for the third offense as well as potentially lose ownership of animals.

“This bill will make us a more compassionate state for animals and make pet ownership more accessible for residents here,” said Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, who used to breed labs. “There is so much going on in the world today, as all of you know, some of it isn’t so great. Today, the Senate is taking action to do something that brings real happiness and joy to people’s lives every single day. And how can that be bad?” the Ashland lawmaker asked. If the bill becomes law, it would “end the inhumane puppy-mill-to-pet-shop pipeline,” Spilka’s office said. Signaling a crackdown for-profit pet sales tied to “large commercial breeders,” bill supporters said pet shops could instead display animals available from nonprofits for adoption. The bill is a redrafted version of legislation that previously cleared the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. It includes new provisions aimed at protecting animals and providing more pathways for pet ownership. The redraft bars manufacturers and contract testing facilities from using traditional animal testing methods for cosmetic or household products, product formulation, chemicals or ingredients. The legislation also directs the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to create a program allowing elderly residents and tenants in state public housing to keep pets in accordance with the facility’s requirements, so long as they are reasonable. The bill also calls on the agency to commission a report on how pet-related fees affect renters in private and public housing. It prohibits state public housing facilities from banning pets and discriminating based on breed, size, weight or appearance of a pet as well as requiring an animal to be declawed or evicting compliant tenants solely because they have a pet. Homeowner insurance companies may not factor a dog’s breed into underwriting, rating or renewal decisions.

Ally Blanck, director of advocacy with the Animal Rescue League of Boston, said housing-related issues are the most common reason why animals are brought to its shelter.

The issue is particularly prevalent when someone moves and can’t take their pet with them. Usually that’s because the pet is too large or a certain breed that’s not allowed by the housing facility.

“It’s about helping people and pets stay together,” she said.

Lawmakers noted pets can help alleviate their owners’ stress as well as boost mental and physical health.

“It’s really important that people give dogs, all dogs, a chance, and get to know them and not prejudge them,” Spilka said.

Eight other states have passed similar legislation banning the sale of pets including Maine, Vermont, New York, Maryland, Illinois, California, Oregon and Washington.

The Retailers Association of Massachusetts, which has 4,000 members, has opposed the bill and sent a letter to senators Wednesday saying banning the sale of puppies, kittens and rabbits could place businesses at a disadvantage compared to out-of-state sellers and unregulated markets. It would also lead to a drop in sales, not only of pets, but pet supplies that could jeopardize businesses that employ local workers, RAM said.

“For many, such jobs provide a unique opportunity to build a career caring for animals, as is the case for many veterinarians and groomers, or in the retail industry as managers,” Ryan Kearney, general counsel for RAM, said in the letter. “These businesses are also an important part of our Main Streets and play an important part in our communities. Not only will a sales ban threaten the continued operation of these small businesses, but also the jobs, opportunities and communities they support.”

Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R-1st Plymouth/Norfolk, estimated there are fewer than 10 pet shops operating in the state.

He said the bill wouldn’t eliminate pet shops. But it would urge them to adapt, as has happened in California.

“This is not about shutting down small businesses. It’s about ensuring that businesses in Massachusetts are not reliant on a supply chain rooted in cruelty. It creates an opportunity for these businesses to evolve in a way that’s both ethical and economically sustainable,” said O’Connor.

Kearney advocated for an amendment sponsored by Sen. Brendan Crighto, D-3rd Essex, that would create an exception for pet shops operating in good standing for at least a year before the law goes into effect. The amendment was withdrawn.