Cranberry for Easter? This bunny says yes

A breeze slips through the tiny shoots of new grass just beginning to stretch up across Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Spring has announced its arrival. A fluffy cloud hops across the play park at the Sanctuary’s Bunny House, ears flopping as she nibbles a blade of grass before pausing to groom, completely at ease in the warming sun.

Cranberry looks like she was dreamed up just for Easter, with her quiet charm and impossibly plush coat. But rabbits aren’t meant for a single holiday moment. Taking care of them is a long-term commitment, and each bunny has needs as unique as their personality. With so many rabbits in shelters, rescue groups, and at Best Friends who need homes, adoption is a wonderful way to find a new friend while giving a bunny a fresh start.

Nestled in the canyon, Bunny House rustles with constant movement from the bunnies (plus some guinea pigs). They receive all the specialized care they need — spacious runs to explore, expert vet care, fresh foods — as the team works to place them in homes of their own.  

Petite Cranberry may resemble a cloud with her long, flowing fur, but that signature Angora coat takes work. Cranberry, like most Angora rabbits, requires a dedicated grooming routine to stay healthy and comfortable. Her fur grows continuously and, without regular brushing, can quickly become matted.

Because Angoras don’t shed like other rabbits, they need frequent grooming — and even regular trims every few months — to prevent health issues that can arise when loose fur is ingested during self-grooming. With the right care, though, that remarkable coat remains as soft and striking as ever.

Of course, Cranberry has opinions about all that grooming. A sassy, independent rabbit with a flair for the dramatics, she much prefers spending her time outside, kicking up her heels in joyful binkies — when bunnies express their joy through twisting, exuberant hops.

Beautiful? Absolutely. Cooperative? Debatable.

Daily brushing is simply something she tolerates — a small inconvenience in an otherwise very important schedule filled with exploring, lounging, and being adored.

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Cranberry’s daily routine offers a glimpse into what thoughtful rabbit care can look like. With space to explore, toys that keep her engaged, and caregivers who understand her independent spirit, she’s able to thrive in ways that go far beyond her fluffy appearance. For those ready to welcome a rabbit into their lives, that care and understanding can grow into something truly special — a bond built in small, meaningful moments, from a curious nose nudge to the joyful leap of a binkie.

During springtime and around Easter, it’s easy to be drawn in by the charm of a soft, gentle bunny — and for good reason. Rabbits like Cranberry have a special way of bringing warmth and delight into the lives of those who know them. Adopting a rabbit can bring you a wonderful companion whose presence lasts far beyond a single spring morning.

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For those simply looking to celebrate the season, there are plenty of ways to capture that same sense of joy — from sweet treats to plush bunnies — while ensuring that real rabbits receive the dedicated care they deserve. You can volunteer to help homeless rabbits either with Best Friends or your local shelter or rescue group — doing things like prepping meals, making blankets for their bunny palaces, or simply spending time with the bunnies to show them that people can be friends. Each kind act makes a difference.

Back at Bunny House, Cranberry is already on to her next adventure — a quick dash through the grass, a joyful binkie, a pause to groom, and, of course, a moment to be admired. As soft as she looks, her life is full, vibrant, and uniquely her own. One day, she’ll share all that zest, sass, and quiet charm with a family lucky enough to call her their own.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.