The Lost Bunny That Changed Everything: Inside the Rise of the House Rabbit Society

A lost pet rabbit named Herman hopped into a backyard one day, and in doing so, changed the course of countless other rabbits’ lives. The year was 1981 and Marinell Harriman’s backyard became a pivotal location when Herman, the lost rabbit, inspired her to establish the House Rabbit Society (HRS). At a time when keeping rabbits as indoor pets was virtually unheard of, Harriman welcomed Herman into her home.

“At that time in the 80s, the idea of an indoor pet rabbit was a novel one. Despite this, she brought the found rabbit indoors and thus, inspiration hit. In treating this found rabbit, Herman, as she would a dog or a cat, Marinell experienced an epiphany that rabbits were just as outgoing, trusting, and engaging as other companion pets,” said Larissa Church, Communications Manager at House Rabbit Society. That simple act of compassion sparked a global movement.

The Origin Story

As Harriman cared for Herman, she discovered a troubling gap. There was little reliable information about rabbit care, and veterinary knowledge at the time was limited.

“In her research on how best to care for Herman, Marinell found that general information and medical resources for rabbits were lacking,” said Church. “That realization inspired her to start an organization that would promote rabbits as companion pets by creating educational resources to support rabbit owners, animal shelter caregivers, and veterinary professionals worldwide. Her goal was to ensure that rescued rabbits like Herman could live long healthy lives with compassionate care.”

Motivated to change the treatment of rabbits, Harriman founded the House Rabbit Society. She envisioned an organization that would both promote rabbits as cherished companion animals and provide vital educational and medical resources for rabbit owners, animal shelter caregivers, and veterinary professionals worldwide.

Since then, HRS has expanded its efforts, developing a wealth of educational materials, training programs, and community outreach initiatives. The organization collaborates with shelters and veterinary schools to ensure that information about rabbit care reaches a broader audience. Through workshops, seminars, and online resources, HRS empowers individuals to provide optimal care for rabbits, fostering a community that values these animals as intelligent and social companions.

Today, the legacy of Harriman’s vision lives on as HRS continues to advocate for rabbits, ensuring that they receive the love, respect, and care they deserve. We will explore all that the HRS has to offer.

Mission and Impact of the House Rabbit Society

Officially founded in 1988, the House Rabbit Society has been committed to rescuing domestic rabbits and educating the public on their care. Over the last 35 years, HRS has evolved from a small grassroots initiative into a global leader in rabbit welfare, fueled by the conviction that every rabbit deserves a safe, loving, and enriching home.

Working closely with municipal shelters throughout Northern California, HRS focuses on rescuing rabbits at risk of euthanasia due to injury, illness, behavioral challenges, or overcrowding. The organization’s hands-on approach ensures that these vulnerable animals are given a second chance at life in nurturing environments. 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.

For nearly four decades, HRS has pioneered the following 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, equipping owners to provide happy, healthy lives for their rabbits.

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, an often-overlooked species in mainstream veterinary care.

Low-Cost Medical Services– HRS offers affordable spay/neuter procedures and vaccinations to the local community, reducing the risk of overpopulation and preventing disease. These services are a lifeline for rabbit owners who might otherwise struggle to afford necessary care.

In 2025, HRS achieved remarkable milestones that reflect its continued growth and impact:

• Educational Reach– Conducted 186 online classes on rabbit care, engaging 872 participants from around the world and spreading knowledge that directly improves rabbit welfare.
• Veterinary Training– Trained 55 veterinary professionals and students through its on-site veterinary program, equipping them with hands-on experience in rabbit medicine and husbandry.
• Multilingual Outreach– Distributed educational materials in five languages to 90 shelters and rescue organizations across the U.S., expanding access to vital information.
• Medical Services– Spayed or neutered 244 rabbits and administered 977 vaccinations, helping prevent illness and overpopulation in the community.
• Community Support– Supplied essential food, litter, and enrichment items to 180 households, ensuring that 566 rabbits remained in safe, loving homes through the monthly Rabbit Essentials Pantry.

Through decades of dedication, House Rabbit Society has not only saved thousands of lives but also transformed how rabbits are perceived and cared for worldwide. Its programs continue to inspire communities, professionals, and animal lovers to recognize that rabbits are intelligent, social beings deserving of love, respect, and lifelong care.

A Heartfelt Rescue Story

Church shares that 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, the result of accidental litters that occurred while she was unfortunately 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. The staff of HRS made sure that the bunnies were spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and they found homes for all 20 rabbits.

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

“A small bit of kindness and support helped inspire the community to grow,” said Church.

Each person they support has the potential to inspire others, creating a network of compassion and advocacy. They can amplify the impact, ensuring that more rabbits find loving homes.

Ways to Support House Rabbit Society

“Even if someone isn’t able to adopt, there are so many meaningful ways to help support our rescue work. We’re a small team, and we rely on the help of our volunteers and foster homes to keep our programs hopping. And for anyone who isn’t able to get directly involved, we always welcome visitors,” says Church.

HRS’s shelter, located in Richmond, California, is open to the public Friday through Sunday, where the rabbits love meeting new friends. But if you aren’t in the area, there are several meaningful ways to be involved.

HRS is also always actively 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 our mission. It’s a challenging time for many, but working together we can create a better future for rabbits around the world,” says Church.

Donations made now will count toward the Giving Tuesday goal, effectively doubling their impact. HRS are trying 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 their 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.

Each person who trains with HRS becomes an ambassador for rabbit welfare, spreading best practices beyond the walls of the clinic. Over time, that shared expertise is transforming how veterinarians everywhere understand and treat rabbits.

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.