Bunny World Foundation — Attraction in Los Angeles

Hardest working animal rescue! My husband and I got involved with Bunny World Foundation in 2014 after spotting one of their Facebook posts regarding the horrors of Santee Alley illegal baby-bunny peddling. I called BWF. It was a late-night hour, but BWF Founder - Lejla Hadzimuratovic answered. It was an enlightening, yet heartbreaking conversation that changed my husband's and my life... the moment I hung up the phone, I said to him - "We're going to adopt bunnies."

We met with Lejla right away -- a strikingly beautiful person who looked like someone you'd imagine in some fabulous setting, not slaving away non-stop in the thankless rescue world. The meeting was wonderful, as we learned that Lejla shared a common goal with us to never cause any animals harm in any way; an ethical stance that, due to speciesism, is sadly not prevalent among animal rescues.

But Lejla was clearly dead serious about her rescue mission, as the fragile lives at stake deserve a tough but fair champion. And that is who she was, and is!

Neither my husband nor I had ever had bunnies in our lives, and also never new of the incalculable misery suffered by their poor species. We were ashamed to have lived so long as devout animal-lovers and never discovered the horrible plight of domestic rabbits worldwide - the worst suffering imaginable!

We attended BWF's next adoption event -- many different breeds, sizes, ages. We fell in love over and over. But in the back sat a quiet pair of bunnies, side-by-side, in a sort of intense communion. One was a big boy, white, with soft brownish shadow around his eyes. Bundled next to him was a small girl, chinchilla-like fur, with wispies sticking up on her head and out around her neck. (Of course we'd later learn she was a Lionhead). We didn't care about breeds. We just wanted to connect. We did, and we took them home that night.

It is 2022, and my husband and I continue adopting BWF buns.

For 14 years, BWF has pulled death-row rabbits from across numerous shelters in and around L.A., and rescuing huge numbers from hoarding cruelty, at-risk rabbits on Craigslist, they've rescued rabbits from cruel vivisection labs, wildfire emergencies, street-dumped rabbits, owner-surrender rabbits bought on whims during the tragic Easter and Christmas intensified bunny exploitation.

The amount of time, effort, funds, love, worry, stress, and skill that BWF puts into rescuing each individual rabbit, and seeing each individual all the way through to being ready for fostering/adoption IS COLOSSAL! Lejla does everything in her power to uphold promises made to the rescued animals.

Lejla has spearheaded legislative efforts on behalf of domestic rabbits; and the battles have been frustrating! But she fights on during City Council meetings, and with L.A. Animal Services, etc.. And if you think - "They're just rabbits" - then you've never truly loved a rabbit... a fragile prey animal whose species has been tortured by humans in more ways, and in larger numbers than any other domestic animal.

Lejla IS A VOLUNTEER. She holds down a full-time job, but since 2008 has volunteered 60-70+ hours a week to BWF rescue. Lejla's high-achieving skill set could have her enjoying any kind of life. But here she STILL is, fighting for animals who the world won't stop mistreating. And people who once arrive to help, can turn into mudslingers when accepting responsibility for helpless animals isn't the rose-colored version they expected.

BWF has rescued thousands and thousands of bunnies... They are complex! And what they reveal in their human caregivers is often surprising. Rabbits will show you who you are... for better or worse.

A society can be judged by how it treat the most vulnerable. But often, people treat the poor helpless rabbits like trifles or novelties to have around, and then be rid of once inconvenient. So Lejla must be what she always has been -- tough, but fair. These silent survivors of human cruelty and neglect deserve nothing less.

(Please never breed, buy, sell, give away, or...

I adopted my bunny, Floyd, back in 2020 from a rescue somewhere within driving distance of me. I’d always wanted one and he ended up being the sweetest boy I can imagine. I truly don’t think I’ve encountered a creature sweeter than him. It was always my intention to adopt a companion for him but I couldn’t figure out the best way to go about bonding.

Life happened and somehow 5 years went by where I didn’t have the time or confidence to go through the bonding process myself or the finances to outsource it. Honestly… I felt guilty constantly. I knew he deserved better. Rabbits form bonds with each other that are so beyond what humans could ever imagine feeling for one another, and I wanted this for him desperately.

Fast forward, May of this year came and I was done waiting. After some time spent scouring the internet, BWF came up. I emailed them, along with a few other adoption agencies, and the next day I got such a kind email back from the founder Lejla. She vocalized that she could see how much my little guy meant to me, and was so kind.

We set up a phone call where I got a feel for how knowledgeable and caring she and the rest of the organization is. When she told me that they actually offer complementary bonding services, I was sold.

Lejla claims to be a bunny match maker. I love the idea of that so I had no problem just buying into it, but logically I know it sounds a bit silly (and cute) saying to other people. But listen. I described Floyd’s personality to her over email, and immediately she sends a picture of this adorable white nosed cinamon girl. She says something like “this is his future wife… don’t ask. I’m a bunny match maker”.

We set up an appointment, the girl bun she sent me a picture of was brought along with some other potential partners, but in my mind I was like “hey, we might as well just try them out first.”

They got along immediately. If you know bunnies… you know this is NOT always the case. I think she might actually be a bunny matchmaker haha.

Floyd and his cinnamon girlfriend (I named her Bambi) had their first date on a beautiful sunset evening backdrop, and afterwards they were whisked away for their honeymoon. I’m coining the phrase bunnymoon.

I got them back a week later, and I can’t even express the happiness this whole experience has brought me. Floyd is in LOVE. Bambi is in love. I’m in love with both of them. I get to watch how happy Bambi is here in her home, she zooms around like a puppy. I get to wake up and see them cuddling or grooming each other. Every time I look at either or both of them my heart swells.

There’s so many benefits from adopting from BWF, this is way longer than I meant for it to be, but seriously. This organization is so good and so caring. Bunnies are really misunderstood here in U.S. and they’re spreading such important information on how they really need to be treated. They give you so many great detailed resources on veterinary care, what types of food to give, which brands are best, the list goes on.

They haven’t failed me a single time yet. They’ve only brought happiness for me, and more importantly, Floyd and Bambi. I’m really...

Adopting our pair of lionhead rabbits from Bunny World Foundation has been one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences of our lives. This organization is the real deal—driven by die-hard advocacy, not profit. You immediately sense that every volunteer, every decision, and every adoption is rooted in what’s best for the bunnies.

Lejla, the founder, is a force of nature. She doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of rabbit care—and thank goodness for that. She gives each prospective adopter a brutally honest, heartfelt screening, making it clear that bunnies aren’t toys or starter pets. They’re sensitive, intelligent beings that require time, patience, and a lifelong commitment. As someone juggling her own personal and professional responsibilities, Lejla sets the tone: if she can make space for these delicate souls, so can we—but only if we’re ready.

What truly sets Bunny World Foundation apart is their holistic approach to care. Special needs rabbits aren’t overlooked—they’re prioritized. From supplements to supportive therapies, they do everything they can to ensure that every bunny, regardless of condition, lives a life with quality and dignity, not just quantity.

The adoption process is in-depth and thoughtful. Yes, the required workshops may seem intense at first glance, but by the time you leave, you’ll realize that it’s the best assurance you can get. Whether it’s learning how to bond rabbits properly or mastering grooming techniques, they leave no stone unturned in preparing you to be a competent, compassionate bun parent.

I’ve encountered other rabbit rescues before—and many sadly feel more like a bunny hostel, with rabbits stacked in crates, minimal enrichment, and a revolving door policy that prioritizes speed over stability. Bunny World Foundation is the antithesis of that. They go above and beyond to screen adopters thoroughly, ensuring each rabbit goes to a loving, knowledgeable home.

Thanks to them, we didn’t just "get pets"—we gained family; vegan daughters, just like their vegan mom! Our lionheads are thriving, and we feel empowered and supported every step of the way. If you’re ready to really commit to rabbit care, there’s no better place to start than Bunny...