Today, we are delving into the heart of bunny parenthood with Alex Minton, the founder and visionary behind BunMoms Anonymous. Join us as we uncover Alex’s heartfelt confessions and learn more about the community that she is building to support and celebrate BunMoms and Dads everywhere.
Q Alex, your account BunMoms Anonymous has resonated with so many. What was the spark that inspired you to create this platform, and how have your own bunnies played a role in shaping this journey?
Thank you for saying that! I do hope that BunMoms and Dads are able to relate to my content, most especially to know that they are not alone in this complicated world of bunny parenting. For those who are new to BunMoms Anonymous, this wasn’t always the direction of the account. The account started as I assume most people’s pet-focused accounts begin, which is as a way to document and archive their pet’s lives or to share cute photos and videos of them, but nothing more. I was new to bunny caretaking (and to the pet side of social media), and my personal account had more of a wine focus (which is my career), so I didn’t want to flood my feed with bunny photos, so I decided to start a bunny-exclusive page with Peter Cartier, my first bunny.
Over time (and three bunnies later), I started to notice that the content that really seemed to resonate with people was that which showed the untold side of bunny caretaking – all those behind-the-scenes things – that only we BunMoms understand. By this point I was on the third name change of my account, which I had done every time a new bunny was introduced into the mix. At this time, we also had a hospice bunny (binky free, HoneyBun) who had been bonded with the trio whose name I was trying to include in the name of the account. Needless to say, things were getting a little excessive in the naming department. I made the decision after HoneyBun passed to figure out a way to still honor all the bunnies that had come in and out of my life and focus my attention on how these bunnies impact our lives. I realized that bunnies will come and go, but we will always be BunMoms. BunMoms Anonymous was born.
Q As BunMoms Anonymous has grown, what are some challenges you’ve faced in expanding your brand, especially within the bunny parent community? Could you share an example of how you’ve navigated a particularly tough discussion or situation?
My husband has been so good at teaching me to “delete, block, and move on” from problematic comments or interactions on Instagram, and learning this has made my relationship with social media relatively peaceful.
The intent behind BunMoms Anonymous is to create a safe space for BunMoms to be themselves without judgment of the over-the-top things they do for their pets. This was the inspiration behind the “BunMom Confessions,” which are collected monthly and a BunMom/Dad is crowned every month. The BunMom of the Month award is open to everyone and is voted on by my followers. In the spirit of inclusivity, I repost all BunMom Confessions that are submitted. On occasion, I’ve received confessions from accounts who I would consider problematic (e.g. breeders, folks who leash their bunnies, etc.). My amazing followers are so great at vetting the confessions and confessors and several people have reached out to say things like, “We don’t think you should be reposting so-and-so’s story” when they flag a troublesome account. However, I made the decision to not block an account (even a problematic one) who is otherwise not causing harm to myself or the rest of the bunny community. If you’re following me, you have seen the dozens of posts about not buying bunnies for Easter. You have seen me post about the dangers of dressing up your bunnies. You know where I stand on these issues. I make it very clear. Therefore, if you still choose to follow me, I want to give you the opportunity to learn.
The idea of the BunMom Confessions is to bring us together as a community, not tear us apart. If just one breeder follows me and ends up realizing why their practices are problematic and maybe reconsiders what they’re doing, it’s worth it.
I had one BunMom reach out to me asking my opinion on something they were thinking about doing to their bunny, and after I explained why this would be dangerous, they agreed and did not go forward with it. Had I blocked that person previously, the safety of their bunny would have been in jeopardy and I wouldn’t have even known it. The fact that this person felt comfortable asking me for advice and more importantly took my advice means that I have created a space where even inexperienced BunMoms can feel welcome. We have all come into BunMotherhood from a variety of situations, and it is my hope that we can learn, grow, and create a better world for bunnies as a community.
I believe that, if we really are all BunMoms, we can make a difference together.
Q Your platform, BunMoms Anonymous has become a source of inspiration for many. What is the core message you hope to convey through your work, and what advice would you offer to someone considering starting their own influencer account in the bunny niche?
Again, thank you so much! It is so unbelievable to think that I have made an impact on even one person’s journey as a BunMom, and it is truly heartwarming. The core message that I hope people take away from BunMoms Anonymous is that We are all BunMoms. I hope that I have created a community in which all BunMoms and Dads feel that their love for their bunnies is celebrated. I want BunMoms Anonymous to be a place where anyone feels welcome, especially those whose friends and family may not provide the support they need when it comes to caring for their bunnies. BunMoms Anonymous is a place to feel seen, understood, and supported.
When creating content, always do things on your bunnies’ schedule. That is to say, remember that you are working for them, not the other way around. These are animals: fragile, delicate animals with very complicated riders. Never push a bunny to do something that would put them in danger in any way (this includes over-feeding them treats to get them to pose in a certain way). Bunnies don’t understand stage directions. Bunnies are not motivated by likes (bananas, maybe). Bunnies do not care what your vision is. And sometimes, bunnies just don’t feel like working, and you have to respect their wishes. If your bunny isn’t up for modeling one day, don’t force them into a photoshoot. Their health and safety is far too important to risk just for a post. I like to view myself not as a content creator so much as a content capturer. 99% of what I catch on film is pure luck. There are many empty photo albums on my phone from canceled photoshoots where the bunnies took PTO and didn’t tell anyone.
Ultimately, stay true to yourself, but most importantly, stay true to your bunnies.
Caring For Her Fluffle
Q We’re eager to learn more about your personal journey into bunny parenthood. How did you come to welcome your first rabbit, and in what ways has this experience deepened your connection with yourself and your bunnies?
I am relatively new to bunny parenthood, having only adopted my first bunny, Peter, two years ago. Growing up, I never had cats or dogs. My first pet was a cockatiel, and then in college I had a micro backyard farm with goats and chickens.
Needless to say, traditional pets were never really on my radar. I had always loved bunnies but never thought seriously about them until I came across a bunny who was up for adoption at a pet store who I just couldn’t stop thinking about. (I think it’s worth mentioning that this particular pet store acts as an annex for a local shelter and sometimes features available rescue rabbits and does not sell rabbits.)
While this bunny didn’t end up coming home with me, according to my husband, I couldn’t stop talking about him or bunnies in general. Eventually, he said to me, “If you’re really serious about getting a bunny, do your research and get one.” And thank goodness for this because once I did start doing my research – reading articles, watching YouTube videos, etc. – I realized two things:
1. How little I knew about bunnies and 2. How incredible bunnies really were. The more I learned, the more I wanted to bring a bunny into our lives. I became obsessed. I started imagining what it would be like to have a bunny around and I couldn’t wait to bring one home. One fateful night in April, I filled out an adoption application with Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue (MHRR) and, as they say, the rest is history. We welcomed Peter Cartier into our lives on May 1, 2022.
At the time, I did watch a lot of videos from The Bunny Lady and Lennon the Bunny. I was first introduced to the idea of free-roaming via Lennon the Bunny, and that really changed my perspective on how a bunny could be incorporated into the home. Rabbit.org has some great info on their Newcomers Page as to what to expect as a new bunny caretaker.
The Bunny Lady: Rating Rabbit Enclosures: What Habitat is Best?
Lennon the Bunny: HOW TO FREE ROAM YOUR RABBIT INDOORS! (NO CAGE)
Q Your bunnies, Peter, Phoebe, and JoJo, have captured the hearts of many. You rescued your bunnies through Magic Happens, could you share the story behind how this adorable fluffle trio came into your life?
It’s pretty easy to love this trio, isn’t it!
Peter was my first bunny, and when I adopted him, I had no plans to adopt any additional bunnies (famous last words, huh?). However, it was clear that after only a few months with Peter that more bunnies belonged in my future.
I saw Phoebe Cosette while volunteering at MHRR one day and knew instantly she was our next bunny. She had a really sad backstory of being neglected by her previous caretakers after suffering an injury that led to her becoming a tripod, and this obviously tugged at my heartstrings, but ultimately it just felt right.
The whole adage of “when you know, you know” reigns true for bunnies, too! We had actually previously tried bonding Peter with another bunny, but they didn’t hit it off during their speed date. Things really do work out for the best because Phoebe was meant to be our bunny. Luckily, her and Peter got along well from the start, and they had a really smooth bonding (thanks to the help of MHRR).
Months later and one too many hints that I would be open to another bunny, a volunteer from Magic Happens reached out about a stray they had just taken in that she “could see fitting in with my pair.” One look at this girlie and the rest was history. JoJo ended up coming home with me after a day of volunteering, and her bond was also pretty easy all things considered. Now, Peter, Phoebe, and JoJo are the best of friends. Make no mistake though, Phoebe rules the roost.
Q Your commitment to fostering bunnies, especially those with disabilities, is truly commendable. Could you tell us about one of your recent foster experiences and how these moments have left an imprint on you?
The way in which bunnies are discarded and abandoned continues to be one of the most agonizing aspects of the bunny world. The stories I read and the bunnies I have had first-hand experience with have often faced the worst, most inhumane conditions imaginable. When these bunnies are able to find safety within a rescue, their stories are difficult to ignore, and it’s so easy for them to tug on your heartstrings. I wouldn’t say that I intentionally take in disabled bunnies, but having experience caring for bunnies with certain disabilities (mainly tripods) makes it easier for me to foster them than someone with less experience.
It turns out I’m also a pretty bad foster mom because our current foster, Crush, isn’t going anywhere (surprise!). I get attached to bunnies before I even meet them, but I fell for Crush harder than even I expected. Couple that with the fact that my husband declared, “We have to find a way to keep her!” on her first night with us…she’s a Foster Fail.
At the time of writing this, she is about a month post-spay, so we’re going to give her a couple more weeks for her hormones to calm down before facing the task of bonding her with the trio.
(Also I do just want to point out that we have an amazing foster team at Magic Happens and I am by far one of the least experienced of the group! Shout-out to the amazing men and women who have been fostering for much longer than I have and take in multiple bunnies every month to provide them with the love and care they deserve!)
Rabbit Care In the World of Social Media
Q In today’s digital age, where information is abundant, how do you discern and ensure the reliability of the content you share, and what steps do you take to guide BunMoms Anonymous followers towards responsible rabbit care practices on social media?
Context is so important. I’ll use Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue as an example. I was once there while they were working on their Halloween photoshoot where some bunnies get little costumes put on them, which is generally not an accepted practice by rabbit caretakers (myself included). One of the volunteers explained that they only put costumes on bunnies whose general disposition is calm, and they only do this as a way to increase visibility of these bunnies so that they may find furever homes. If 10 minutes of wearing a costume leads to an adoption, it’s worth it. Plus the bunnies get extra treats for their modeling! But someone just casually scrolling through may see this post and think, “Oh how cute! I want to dress up my bunny!”
Q Social media is rife with misconceptions, particularly about pet care. What’s one common myth about rabbit care you frequently encounter online, and how have you leveraged BunMoms Anonymous to address it?
I thought a lot about this question because I think the bunny community is so good about dispelling myths when it comes to rabbit care and what is and is not acceptable. And, while it’s true that rabbits are incredibly vulnerable, have super sensitive digestive systems, and are excellent at hiding illness, I can’t help but also acknowledge how equally resilient they are. When I stop and think about my own fluffle or about some of the bunnies I encounter at the rescue, I am amazed by the resiliency of these creatures. I think about JoJo, running loose all over town, dodging traffic and prey animals for weeks before she was caught. I think about Phoebe, being dumped not once, but twice before her broken leg could be fixed. I think about Crush, being left in a box in a parking lot before a good samaritan took her in. I think about all the bunnies who have overcome incredible odds in order to simply be given a chance at the life they deserve, and their perseverance cannot go unnoticed.
Q Lastly, in an era where everyone turns to social media for advice, what is one piece of wisdom that BunMoms Anonymous believes all rabbit parents should keep in mind when navigating these platforms?
Don’t compare your bunnies to anyone else’s. Just because you see a bunny snuggled in a hop-n-flop bed doesn’t mean yours is going to use one correctly (I get dozens of messages about this very thing). Even the most “unfiltered” accounts are still curating their content. Don’t let spotless litter boxes and perfectly stacked treat jars be your only measure of successful bunny parenting. Focus on what really matters: proper bunny care.
I pride myself on posting real content and showing all angles of the BunMom world – the good, the bad, and the ugly – but even I am known to have photoshopped out a piece of poop on occasion. Take everything for what it is: entertainment. Even accounts who are offering advice, make sure their sources are reliable. There are tons of accounts with years of experience who are invaluable resources for BunMoms, such as Obi Bun & Furiends, Darby The Duke (especially for Tripod Bunny Parents), and The Loved Buns (disabled bunny advocates), but there are an equal number of accounts promoting questionable care who have tons of followers. Don’t judge an account by the number of followers they have. Make sure other accounts who you know and whose bunny care you respect are also following them.
Navigating social media is so tricky, but if you find the right community, I believe it to be a beautiful space to express what you love. It is my hope that BunMoms Anonymous is that community for all Bun Parents.
Further Reading
Navigating Social Work and Bunny Advocacy: Sky’s Inspirational Insight During Social Work Awareness Month with Toastie
