There’s a reason why people who own bunnies only have praises to sing of their furry friends. Attentive, affectionate and unbelievably photogenic – bunnies make great companions, and even greater stress relievers. And if you’re searching for your soulmate in a bunny, there’s no better place to start than Rabbit Headquarters (RHQ).
There aren’t any shortages of pet shops on our little red dot, but where most pet stores sell a mix of animals, and offer a broad range of products and services – RHQ focuses on the animal they’re most passionate about – rabbits, and rabbits alone.
So as lovers of all things cute and fluffy, we went down to explore the place for ourselves. Here are 10 reasons why we think Singapore’s Rabbit Headquarters is a must-visit for all animal lovers!
Located within the grounds of the Ericsson Pet Farm, RHQ sits amongst the many animal boarding houses, kennels, and farms of Pasir Ris Farmway 2. Although the other establishments around the compound looked a little grimey and dank, RHQ was bright, clean and spacious.
Run by bunny-lovers for bunny lovers, Rabbit HQ was born in 2010 after three passionate bunny enthusiasts joined forces with the goal of improving the quality, and standards of rabbits in Singapore. Known for being the home of winning rabbits, RHQ specialises in hand-picking and breeding their rabbits to produce bunnies of both quality and good temperament.
The store is broken into two sections, one side of it is home to all their premium-quality rabbits, while the other houses all a wide selection of food, supplements and pet accessories. It was also comforting to know that all of the rabbits at RHQ are kept in room that is air-conditioned 24/7 to protect their bunnies from the heat and humidity.
Unlike felines who have nine lives, rabbits are delicate animals who can get severely hurt themselves if they fall from a height – so it’s very important to be well-informed of the proper way to hold and handle them before picking them up.
That’s not to say you won’t be able to! If you cannot resist the urge to bundle the little balls of fluff into your arms, the friendly and knowledgeable staff at RHQ will teach you how to hold a bunny without inciting fear in the little creature.
A Show-Quality Netherland Dwarf Bunny at RHQ
Bunnies come in all shapes and sizes, and their lifespans vary from breed to breed. With proper care, larger breeds like the French Lop and the Flemish Giant, have a lifespan of up to 5-6 years. Smaller breeds, on the other hand, like the Lop and Netherland Dwarf bunnies can live for up to 10 years. That’s a whole decade!
7-week-old Netherland Dwarf rabbits
Although there are 48 different registered breeds of rabbits under the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) – the two of the most common breeds that can be found in pet shops are the Netherland Dwarf (pointy ears), and the Holland Lop (floppy ears).
Over at RHQ, you’ll find up to 11 unique breeds of bunnies, some of which you’ve probably never heard of before like the Jersey Wooly, Dutch Rabbit, or the Flemish Giant – the largest domestic rabbit in the world.
A 7-week-old Holland Lop kit
Like humans, each breed has its own distinct temperament, and each individual bunny has its own personality. Take the Holland Lop for example – these little fellas are known to be “lazier”, meeker, and more affectionate than the other breeds.
So for those who love being showered with attention, expect to have a fuzzy friend trailing you around the house and hopping onto your lap for back rubs.
On the flip side, if you’re like an energizer battery on-the-go – the lively and spirited personality of the Mini Rex makes the perfect fit.
A Lionhead Netherland Dwarf Rabbit
If you’re new to the world of bunnies, and aren’t too sure what to expect – don’t you worry, RHQ has got you covered.
Unlike pet shops that just facilitate the sale of your bunny, the founders of RHQ are all bunny owners themselves, so they have a vast amount of first-hand experience on rabbits and how to manage and care for them. They’re also more than happy you give you a crash course on all you need to know as a first-time bunny owner.
Another thing you’ll notice is, that pet shops usually place emphasis on the location from which the rabbit was imported from. Air travel can place a lot of stress on young rabbits making them withdrawn and aggressive. RHQ, on the other hand, believes that a rabbit’s personality is greatly determined by its environment and the way they’ve been handled.
That’s why all their rabbits are bred locally, and handled consistently in the first seven weeks to make sure they’re well-tempered, friendly, and most importantly – don’t bite.
If you’re looking to buy a bunny, and have set your mind on RHQ, one notable thing that sets them aside from pet shops is that – your bunny will undergo a full medical check prior to being handed over to ensure that it is in the pink of health. RHQ will also be present you with an actual certificate for that extra peace of mind.
Not only do they sell locally and ethically-bred rabbits, RHQ prides itself on producing poised, premium-quality little buns. Its many cabinets of accolades proudly tell of all the award-winning rabbits that they’ve raised that have since left the hutch. They’ve also recorded more than 100 wins in total – talk about an impressive resume.
Its most recent achievements in the bunny arena are Best Rabbit and Runner-Up Best Rabbit at the National Rabbit and Cavy Show 2015 in Singapore, as well as the Best Holland Lop and Best Netherland Dwarf in the National Rabbit and Cavy Show 2015 in Malaysia.
A 7-week-old show-quality Netherland Dwarf Rabbit
You may or may not have heard of the term ‘show rabbit’ – but as its name would imply, they come from a lineage of purebred bunny ancestors and are admired for their favourable physical characteristics.
A show-quality Holland Lop
Show rabbits often come with a steep price tag, and can cost two to three times more than an ordinary rabbit. For instance, the cost of a premium quality Holland Lop starts from $450, and a show-quality rabbit of the same breed can cost anywhere between $650 – $1,500.
But aside from their pedigree bloodline, show rabbits are docile in nature, very obedient and make great house pets. This is due to the fact that they’ve been handled since the minute they were born in order to get them accustomed to human touch, and ready for the life of a show rabbit.
An 11-month-old French Lop
What you’re looking at right there, is a French Lop – a bunny that when fully grown, is larger than the size of your average cat. Weighing up to 4.5 kg, this gentle giant is the largest of the lop-ear rabbits, and stands its ground as one of the five largest rabbits in the world. In the past, larger breeds like the French Lop were bred for consumption purposes only, before people fell in love with them.
Given its size, French Lops are less easily startled and more hardy compared to smaller breeds, making it a good choice for busy households with children. And if you’re wondering – yes, she is as soft and cuddly as she looks.
Larger breeds like the French Lop are a rare find in Singapore, and premium show-quality ones are even more so. A show-quality French Lop kit can cost you anywhere from $1,500 and above, so if you’re looking for a huggable bunny companion to keep you company – you know where to go.
A fully-grown Netherland Dwarf (Left) beside 11-month-old French Lop (right)
If there’s one thing that stops people from keeping bunnies as pets, it’s their infamous bowel movement. Bunnies are known to poop – A LOT. But just like dogs and cats, bunnies can also be toilet-trained. A properly trained bunny is a breeze to take care of, and you’ll only need to change their litter every 2-3 days.
But before you give the newest addition to your family free rein over the house, you should know that in new and unfamiliar surroundings, even toilet-trained bunnies can end up pooping all over the place.
Thankfully, the RHQ staff are there to save the day once more. All bunny owners will receive a rundown on how they can toilet train their bunnies in the shortest time possible.
A family portrait is never complete without your pet present. As someone with a dog, I know the struggle of wrestling my pup into submission and trying to get her to sit still for snap. It never works out for me, and I settle for snapchat and pictures that are blurry at best.
Although rabbit photography and styling is their forte, all pets are welcome at RHQ. So the next time you’re thinking of updating your family photo wall – let the experts in pet photography style you and give you a picture-perfect memory that will last a lifetime.
Apart from lineage, diet also plays a critical role in the growth and health of your bunny. From supplements that condition and improve the quality of your bunnies fur coat, to ones that soothe and calm their jittery nerves; RHQ offers a range of supplements that are fortified with a combination of proteins, vitamins and minerals to keep your bunny fighting fit.
You’ll also find a selection of quality diamond cut hay, play pens, and other life essentials for your rabbit to live like royalty.
Some people like to think I’m mildly obsessed with my dog because I have 1,001 pictures of her in my phone but I like to call it love. When pictures don’t cut it, you can always commission a painting of your best friend. You can choose to have your painting done on canvas, ceramic, or even a rock. That’s one sure way to set your love in stone.
Sign me up for that pet rock!
So even if you’re not looking to buy a bunny, we’ve got more than enough reasons to substantiate a visit down to this Singapore’s very first rabbit headquarters. Whether it’s meeting fellow bunny enthusiasts, or signing your bunny up for the next rabbit competition, RHQ is a definite haven for bunny and animal lovers alike. Find out more about RHQ here!
Take the train from wherever you are, to Pasir Ris MRT Station (EW1). Thereafter, hop on either bus 58,88 or 359 from the Pasir Ris Bus Interchange and alight 5 stops later at Blk 717, Pasir Ris Drive 12.
Upon alighting, follow the direction of the road until you get to a T junction, then turn to your right. It’ll be a 12 minute walk in along Pasir Ris Farmway 1 before you reach the Ericsson Pet Farm.
Address: 16 Pasir Ris Farmway 2, Singapore 519316
Contact: 84814200
This post was brought to you by Rabbit Headquarters.
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