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Students are Hopping to 4-H Rabbit Leader's Classes
By Regina Elling
 | | Debbie Leroy, 4-H rabbit leader, shows off one of her current bunnies, Christy, an eight-year-old English angora, who is a former Grand Champion.
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You can ask Debbie Leroy pretty much any question you can think of about rabbits. Most likely, she knows the answer. And she has probably heard the question before.
These days, the furry cuties keep her busy as the Ramona Wranglers' 4-H Rabbit Leader, teaching youngsters in both 4-H and FFA all they need to know about rabbits.
Just don't ask her to sell you a bunny for Easter.
"I don't sell rabbits for Easter, and I never have," the Ramona resident states. "Actually, even if the child is only five or six, they have to prove to me that they really are interested in having a rabbit as a pet."
As proof of their interest, children must be enrolled in either 4-H or FFA before they can purchase a rabbit from Leroy.
She then encourages children to conduct research on the various breeds to determine if the breed they chose, or perhaps another breed, is going to be a good match in terms of maintenance, size, show potential and other factors.
 | | One of Leroy's students, Jo Weir, works with a couple of his show rabbits. Frances and one of her yet-unnamed babies are Californias.
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"There are more than 45 recognized breeds of rabbits," she says. "They vary in terms of size, personality and care needed."
Once a breed is decided upon, Leroy steers the family toward breeders.
"The number one trait I encourage the kids to look for is gentleness," she says. "But the rabbit must also meet the breed standard, especially if they are going to show the animal in the 4-H shows."
Showing rabbits is hard work, and requires a lot of dedication and skill.
"All of the show-quality rabbits must have pedigrees," she explains. "They must also have the right kind of fur, toenails, tails, colors, ears - and the list goes on," she says. "The kids have to know the breed standard in order to pick the best bunny."
 | | At a recent fun meeting, the kids dressed up their bunnies and cavies. Front row, from left, are Katherine Mauldin, Morgan Perkins, Paige Faaborg, Megan Kelly, Emily Payne and Colton Jacobs. Second row, from left, are Sarah Dean and Colton Snyder. Third row, are Joseph Wier, Albert Evarts and Chamisa Kolk. |
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They also have to give the animal the best possible care to keep it in top "show shape." Leroy makes sure the kids learn to take care of their bunnies from one end to the other - literally.
"In our classes, they learn to clean the rabbits from ears to vents: how to clip their nails, how to carry them, weigh them, feed them and house them," she explains.
Leroy has worked with the local 4-H and FFA clubs and students for 24 years.
"Our family started out with a Holland lop. From there, thanks to our three kids, we became involved with showing the rabbits, and eventually began helping kids all over San Diego County," Leroy says.
 | | This is Christy, a grand champion English angora. She is eight years old.
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At one time, Leroy kept as many as 75 rabbits in her specially-built rabbit barn. Many of those animals were champions.
"We don't have nearly that many animals now," she says. "Basically, my kids grew up, but I've just never gotten out of it."
And she makes her feelings clear about parents who want to purchase a rabbit for their child for Easter.
"That animal needs care every day of the year, not just for a few days after Easter, or until the child or adult is tired of it. Whether the bunny is a pet or for show, owners should learn all they can about the animal's needs before purchase," she says.
The Ramona Wranglers 4-H rabbit group meets once a month. For more information about the 4-H rabbit program, contact Cindy Zeigler at 760-788-0622.
 | | A tri-colored Holland lop baby named Quiz.
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