Rabbits at the Maverick Art Festival

ARTICLE BY PROFESSOR JESSICA WELCH / Correspondent

PHOTOS BY PROFESSOR JESSICA WELCH / Correspondent

DESIGN BY JACOB RAINERSON / Staff Reporter

This year, a fluffle of bunnies attracted a considerable crowd at the Maverick Art Festival. Volunteers from Fort Wilbur Rabbit Rescue (FWRR) brought the rabbits to campus to educate students and faculty about the joys (and challenges) of bunny ownership. Every year, FWRR participates in several events throughout the spring in an effort to dissuade parents from buying bunnies as Easter presents for their children.

Vanessa Hill of Ormond Beach founded Fort Wilbur about 10 years ago. The rescue was named after a rabbit who was scheduled to be euthanized by another shelter due to a severe heart condition. Instead, Ms. Hill adopted Wilbur and gave him many hoppy years. This experience inspired her to start a rescue for injured and abused rabbits that cannot receive adequate care in a typical animal shelter. FWRR is the only rescue of its kind in Florida and consists of a network of volunteers throughout Volusia County who are specifically trained to work with special needs bunnies. Many of their rabbits require physical therapy to recover from injuries and individual interaction with volunteers to overcome their fear of humans.

Dr. Jessica Welch, Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Communication, is an FWRR volunteer and coordinated the bunny visit. She also brought her rabbit, Houdini, whom she adopted from the rescue three years ago. Houdini was named by the volunteers that spent three days trying to catch him after he was dumped in a local park. As a severe abuse case, he required comprehensive rehabilitation available only at Fort Wilbur. Today

Houdini is happy and healthy, with allinclusive access to Dr. Welch’s condo in Daytona Beach Shores. He has developed a taste for fresh pineapple and an affinity for zooming through his tunnels at 3 a.m. Dr. Welch often shares stories and videos of Houdini in class. Many of her past and current students stopped by the Bunny Booth to meet him and get photos.

Rabbits are ideal for college students and young adults who lack sufficient space for a dog but are looking for an affectionate pet. They are full of personality, love snuggles, and are typically easy to litterbox train.

If you are interested in learning more about Fort Wilbur Rabbit Rescue, including opportunities to foster, adopt, or volunteer, you can check out their website (fortwilbur.org) or follow them on Instagram (@fortwilburbunnies). Anyone who wants to know more about Houdini’s journey can follow his personal Instagram (@houdini doodle).