House Rabbit Rescue

The Origin Story

In 1981, a lost rabbit named Herman found his way into Marinell Harriman’s backyard. This simple event would spark a movement that would change the lives of countless rabbits around the world. At the time, keeping rabbits as indoor pets was virtually unheard of. However, Harriman welcomed Herman into her home and treated him like any other pet. This act of compassion led to an epiphany—rabbits were just as outgoing, trusting, and engaging as dogs or cats.

Harriman quickly realized there was a lack of reliable information on rabbit care and limited veterinary knowledge about their needs. This gap in resources inspired her to create an organization dedicated to promoting rabbits as companion animals. Her goal was to ensure that rescued rabbits could live long, healthy lives with compassionate care.

Mission and Impact of the House Rabbit Society

Founded in 1988, the House Rabbit Society (HRS) has been committed to rescuing domestic rabbits and educating the public on their care. Over the last 35 years, HRS has grown from a small grassroots initiative into a global leader in rabbit welfare. Their mission is to ensure every rabbit receives a safe, loving, and enriching home.

HRS works closely with municipal shelters throughout Northern California, focusing on rescuing rabbits at risk of euthanasia due to injury, illness, behavioral challenges, or overcrowding. Beyond rescue, HRS prioritizes education as a cornerstone of its mission, helping people understand the unique needs of domestic rabbits and fostering lifelong bonds between humans and their furry companions.

Over the years, HRS has pioneered several programs that set the standard for rabbit care:

• Educational Programs: HRS offers comprehensive online classes, multilingual resources, and personalized guidance for both new and experienced rabbit owners. These programs help people learn everything from basic care to advanced enrichment techniques.
• Veterinary Training: Recognizing the critical need for skilled professionals, HRS provides hands-on training to veterinary students and technicians. This program ensures that the next generation of veterinary professionals is confident and competent in treating rabbits.
• Low-Cost Medical Services: HRS offers affordable spay/neuter procedures and vaccinations to the local community, reducing the risk of overpopulation and preventing disease.

In 2025, HRS achieved remarkable milestones:

• Conducted 186 online classes on rabbit care, engaging 872 participants worldwide.
• Trained 55 veterinary professionals and students through its on-site veterinary program.
• Distributed educational materials in five languages to 90 shelters and rescue organizations across the U.S.
• Spayed or neutered 244 rabbits and administered 977 vaccinations.
• Supplied essential food, litter, and enrichment items to 180 households, ensuring 566 rabbits remained in safe, loving homes.

A Heartfelt Rescue Story

One of HRS’s most memorable rescues came during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. A single mother of three reached out for help rehoming 20 rabbits after accidental litters occurred while she was hospitalized recovering from both COVID and a heart attack.

Though HRS typically accepts rabbits only from municipal shelters, the team knew they had to step in to help this woman and her rabbits. They ensured the bunnies were spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and found homes for all 20 rabbits.

The woman they helped was so deeply moved by the compassion she received that she became an active volunteer in the animal rescue community, assisting other rabbits, dogs, and cats in finding loving homes.

Ways to Support House Rabbit Society

Even if someone isn’t able to adopt, there are many meaningful ways to support HRS’s rescue work. The organization relies on volunteers and foster homes to keep its programs running. For those who aren’t in the area, there are several ways to be involved.

HRS’s shelter, located in Richmond, California, is open to the public Friday through Sunday, where the rabbits love meeting new friends. Additionally, the organization is always seeking business partners and sponsors to expand its lifesaving work.

Giving Tuesday

As Giving Tuesday approaches, HRS is excited to announce a matching campaign where all donations will be matched up to $30,000 through December 2, 2025. Every gift, no matter the size, contributes to their mission. HRS aims to raise $60,000 for the rabbits during Giving Tuesday.

Expanding Educational Outreach

Education has always been central to HRS’s mission. This year, the organization expanded its multilingual educational resources to include Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, in addition to English and Spanish. HRS offers free materials covering topics such as rabbit diet and emergency care.

Additionally, the newly launched Shelter Assistance Program supports local shelters and rescues in managing rabbit surrenders by equipping them with vital educational tools and training.

Advancing Veterinary Training

Thanks to generous donors, the HRS Veterinary Training Program continues to grow. As one of the few rabbit rescues in the U.S. with an on-site veterinarian and surgery suite, HRS is filling a critical gap in rabbit-specific medical training. This year alone, 25 veterinary professionals trained at HRS’s Richmond facility, gaining hands-on experience in anesthesia protocols, spay/neuter surgery, and rabbit-specific care.

A Legacy of Compassion and Care

From a single rescued rabbit named Herman to a worldwide movement changing how people care for rabbits, the House Rabbit Society continues to prove what compassion, education, and community can achieve. What began as one woman’s decision to open her heart and home to a lost bunny has grown into an international network of rescuers, educators, and advocates dedicated to improving the lives of domestic rabbits everywhere.

Marinell’s story reminds us that one act of kindness can change countless lives. Every donation, every class, every adoption, they all connect back to that first rabbit who hopped into her yard and inspired a mission that would touch the world. Today, the House Rabbit Society stands as a testament to the power of empathy in action, showing how love for one small animal can spark a global shift in understanding, care, and respect for an entire species.