Letter To The SF Chronicle To Be Published Feb 8th

January 19, 2004

HI All,

A little good news. The San Francisco Chronicle Magazine will be publishing my letter to the editor in response to their restaurant review featuring Trio Sonoma rabbit.

It will be in the February 8th issue and they plan to edit it for space. I have asked that they include the main www.rabbit.org information, as well as our own specific Chapter info.

Below is the letter in its entirety. It may contain useful information for future letter writing if you are interested. Thank you for your support on behalf of the rabbits.

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Dear Mr. Bauer and staff of the San Francisco Chronicle Magazine,

I am writing in response to a recent restaurant review you published for Town Hall restaurant, featuring Trio Sonoma rabbit as the featured entree.

I would like to share with you a different perspective on rabbits, and am asking that you take a few moments to learn more about rabbits as the highly intelligent, loving, opinionated and sentient beings that they are.

I am the San Francisco/ Marin County Chapter Manager for House Rabbit Society, an international rabbit rescue group that educates the public about living with domestic rabbits as household companions, and rescues rabbits facing euthanasia at animal shelters.

In May 2001, SF Chronicle Magazine writer Marianne Costantinou wrote an informative and engaging article for your magazine about our work on behalf of the rabbits. I would like to invite you to visit our new foster center here in Mill Valley www.SaveABunny.com , or our National headquarters in Richmond in East Bay www.rabbit.org . You will meet a wide variety of rabbits looking for forever, loving homes--- each with a very distinct personality and story to tell. Perhaps, a personal connection with a sweet, loving rabbit would be more revealing than any data we provide or letter I write you.

Nonetheless, here's some data...according to the ASPCA (ASPCA Animal Watch -Spring 2001), the number of American homes listing rabbits as household pets increased dramatically from 24 percent in 1992 to 40 percent in 2000. As of 2001, there were over 5.3 million companion rabbits living in 2.2 million households in America. Rabbits are rapidly growing in popularity as treasured household companions--- just like cats and dogs.

However, unlike other companion animals, such as cats and dogs, rabbits are increasing showing up on the menu in restaurants. One can only imagine the public outrage if kitten and puppies were served in American restaurants. Most people would be disgusted and mortified to read a review on their tastiness with an accompanying photo of a dog's leg with a sprig of parsley for garnish. It makes one wonder if public reaction might be different if "rabbit" was listed as "pet bunny?"

Realistically, I realize that you and your staff probably disagree with my opinions about eating rabbits (and other animals) and that is OK. However, I challenge you to learn more about how intelligent, loving, opinionated and unique rabbits are.

Many rabbits can learn their names, love to play with toys, and can be easily trained to use a litter box. They form deep bonds with both their human and animal companions, and can actually grieve to death when they lose their mate.

Just like cats and dogs, rabbits are now routinely spayed and neutered at many shelters and placed up for adoption to indoor homes--including at San Francisco Animal Care and Control, not far from Town Hall restaurant.

A spayed or neutered rabbit who lives inside and receives good care, can live to be more than 10 years old. In contrast, the same type of domestic rabbit raised for meat production lives and dies a short, cruel existence.

February has been declared national Adopt-A- Rescued Rabbit Month by the ASPCA. Here in the Bay area there is an abundance of opportunities to meet and learn about rabbits as being worthy of love, safety and companionship---just like cats, dogs and other animals. I would welcome the opportunity to be your guide.

I can be reached at 415-388-2790, via my website at www.SaveABunny.com or at this email address.

I am attaching a picture of a bunny named Noble who lives with his human family in San Francisco. He is getting his Christmas presents along with the rest of his family.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Marcy Schaaf

San Francisco/ Marin County House Rabbit Society Chapter Manager

www.SaveABunny.com