About Us
The House Rabbit Connection
Who are We and Why are We Here?!
The House Rabbit Connection, Inc. (HRC), incorporated in Massachusetts, U.S.A. in 1997.
HRC established by rabbit lovers for rabbits.
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. HRC was founded by a committed group of individuals dedicated to the plight of abandoned rabbits. You can also find us on social media through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
We are an official HRS chapter.
We are an official Chapter of the worldwide House Rabbit Society for Connecticut and Massachusetts in the United States of America.
HRC is made up entirely of volunteers — individuals who dedicate time, money, and energy to move HRC toward its goals. These individuals share a love of rabbits and the belief that rabbits should not be relegated to hutches in the backyard.
Instead, rabbits should be inside the home, free to explore rabbit-proofed room, living in roomy cages (or cage-free), playing with toys, and interacting with all members of the household (human and non-human).
HRC educates the public and its members through:
* Frequent educational events at local pet supply stores, schools, television shows, television news spots and animal-related events
* Our quarterly email newsletter, In Pursuit of Hoppiness
* Distribution of rabbit care information and our own House Rabbit Handbook
* This website, the telephone HopLine (413 439-7HRC) and email.
* Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Why does the world need rabbit rescue groups?
Rabbits are a growing pet population in the United States and around the world; however, many people who purchase rabbits do not know the time and training involved in having a great pet and animal companion.
People buy cute little bunnies for their children without realizing this animal will need care and attention for at least ten years. As a result, these rabbits are abandoned in shelters, parks, and even woodland areas. Domesticated rabbits have very little chance for survival in the wilderness and most rabbits dropped off at shelters are euthanized.
The House Rabbit Connection, Inc. is non-profit organization that is committed to changing this trend forever. Donations and volunteers are a critical part of the organization. Without either, we would not be able to save rabbits, adopt them out to loving families, and offer information to the public.
Donations are always needed. The money donated will go to spaying and neutering rabbits adopted from shelters, educating the public about rabbit ownership and rabbits in general, as well as many other programs sponsored by the House Rabbit Connection.
HRC is run by an all volunteer Board of Directors. The Board members are elected at HRCs annual meeting in June and serve for 3 years between elections. On any given year approximately 1/3 of the board seats are up for election. All of the work that HRC does is channeled through volunteer committees. And each committee is chaired by a member of the board.
The following members are currently serving on the board of directors for the House Rabbit Connection:
JUNE 2022 – MAY 2023
Officers President - Marlene Wilhelm Vice President - Doreen Reynolds-Consolati Treasurer - Linda Pisani Assistant Treasurer - Tom Wilhelm Clerk - Kim Clonch Assistant Clerk - Judy Harrison-Warner
Committee Chairpersons Adoption - VACANT Development - VACANT Education - Doreen Reynolds-Consolati Events - VACANT Foster - Joanne Kosiorek Membership - VACANT Newsletter - Terry Tracz
Board of Directors
Kim Clonch
Doreen Reynolds-Consolati
Judith Harrison-Warner
Vernon Hill
Joanne Kosiorek
Derri Owen
Linda Pisani
Paula Raposa
Louisa Sapienza
Terry Tracz
Marlene Wilhelm
Tom Wilhelm
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
HRS Educators - Jackie Allen Doreen Reynolds-Consolati Joanne Kosiorek Derri Owen Terry Tracz Marlene Wilhelm
HRS Co-Chapter Managers - Joanne Kosiorek and Marlene Wilhelm
Web Manager - Paula Raposa
Founder - Deena Balogh
In Appreciation and Special Remembrance - Jack Lotko 5 YEARS Jack was one of the early Directors of HRC. He passed away in August 2018. It will be five years this August 2023. A champion to all animals, Jack will be forever loved and missed.
HRC MISSION STATEMENT
We are an all-volunteer, nonprofit corporation with these primary goals:
“To take in adoptable abandoned rabbits, provide foster care, have them spayed or neutered and find quality, indoor homes for them while also educating the public and other organizations about rabbit care.”
The Organization may cooperate with other individuals and groups having similar goals, philosophies, and concerns.
We cannot and do not take rabbits from the public.