..::Cuddlin' Critters Rabbitry::..

I was born and raised in beautiful Winnipeg Beach Manitoba, where the fields were always full of sunshine and the bugs were nipping at your back. That little home town made my responsibilities endless and respect for the people and animals around me grow. At the age of 5 I knew what I wanted to do, weather it was following out severe obesity cat across the neighbors roof or our stinky cockapoo X shihtzu (what a horrible mix) along the family gravel pits. I knew this would always be my home.

Our many old family rescue dogs taught me the compassion and respect towards an animal. Still young and always craving to learn more I completed my two western/English riding courses through “Dusty Trails” located in Winnipeg Beach and followed it with volunteering to be a stable hand and guild for many years.

My whole rabbit hobby started out from two rabbits (who knew) which grew shortly into 60 rabbits which grew into even more after I found all the wild bush rabbits digging underneath my little rabbit shed to find all the tasty findings inside. Thankfully when it came to family trips good old grandpa was always to the rescue for all those wabbits, feeding them the freshest of feed, greenest of hay and of coarse those bags full of granny’s carrot tops which occasionally were followed by stolen goodies from the garden.

I started my passion at a young age that grew into something that I could see myself doing in the future. The collection continued through-out the years from mini. Potbelly pigs, Shetland ponies, Dexter bull, many exotic breeds of chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants, peacocks, quails, alpacas, angora goats, pygmy goats, sheep, chinchillas, gerbils, ferrets, assorted hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, cockatiels, lovebirds, finches, canaries, budgies, assorted rats, assorted breeds of rabbits, cats, dogs, fish, geckos, snakes etc. Extensive quality care was dedicated to every which critter on the funny farm. Feeding chores ranged from 2-3 hours daily, cleaning chores ranged from 4-5 and expanding chores continued through the night when my parents couldn’t see what I was doing. Cuddlin’ Critters included my rabbits and small animal sales, Cruzin’ Cuddin’ Critters of coarse included my mobile petting zoo.

I lost count after the first dozen trips my dad and I took when it came to Pet store runs to Winnipeg. Loading up the big white dodge full of rodents and farm animals normally took us alone 4 hours to deliver to all the pet stores not to mention the unloading and trades that took place every time. Petting zoos, fundraisers or A-channel loadings were completely on a different level alone. I was known through-out high school as the crazy animal girl, farmers as Sally Ann, brothers as the strange one and probably many more names I didn’t realize during the years.

Between school, the critters, zoos, breeding, sales, website updates, researching; always kept me on my toes and always thinking “what to do next?”. Feed runs once a week cost up to $240.00 (just for feed) hay/straw pick-up cost my dad some gravel and my wood shavings cost around $200.00 every 2 weeks. I Loved, learned and treasured all my past and previous experiences. I’m extremely great full to all the people who supported me through the hard times and motivated me to who I am today. I’d like to say thank-you as I continue to grow and master the passion I have.

~Sincerely Leanne Bochurka