In a cozy indoor space located in the suburbs of Hong Kong, adorable rabbits frolic around a specially designed play area. Some of them are seen happily hopping on a wooden castle, while others curiously explore a soft cotton tunnel. Living in one of the most populous cities in the world, where living spaces are typically compact, rabbits have become a beloved choice of pets among locals.
At Bunny Style, a high-end rabbit resort, devoted bunny enthusiasts are on hand to care for furry companions while their owners are away. As travel picks up in Hong Kong with COVID-19 restrictions easing, the demand for pet care during the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, is booming.
Donna Li, the founder of Bunny Style, is currently fully booked for the holiday season. Her priority is to ensure the well-being of her guests, providing them with exercise, social gatherings, spa pampering, and plenty of hay to munch on. “We strive to create a safe and comfortable environment for our furry friends,” says Li.
Initially launched in June, Bunny Style started with a playroom where rabbits could stretch their legs and escape the city’s sweltering heat. As an owner of two rabbits herself, Li is passionate about offering top-notch care and attention to all the bunnies in her care.
At the Bunny Style Hotel in Hong Kong, photographs of the adorable rabbit residents are proudly displayed. According to Li, the owner, her initial goal was to create a safe indoor play area with the right temperature for rabbits.
With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions by the government in September, Li quickly realized the demand for boarding facilities. The hotel was fully booked over Christmas, and reservations for Easter are already being made.
With 15 rabbit guests, Li and her team will be kept busy during the upcoming holiday season, which is significant in the Chinese calendar. In addition to providing food – including special vegetable cakes requested by some owners – the staff also takes care of grooming, nail trimming, and ensuring the rabbits get enough exercise.
Li believes that rabbits understand and appreciate human interaction. She enjoys talking to them, praising their beauty and cuteness while caring for them. Rainbow Li, a customer who found Bunny Style online and boarded her rabbit during a holiday trip, mentioned that live streams and video updates reassured her that her pet was enjoying its stay and staying active.
Donna Li, a co-founder, is seen pampering a rabbit at the Bunny Style Hotel in Hong Kong on January 18, 2023. This hotel charges approximately $15 per night, which includes thirty minutes of supervised playtime. Additional services like beauty treatments and special menu items come at an extra cost.
The growing popularity of rabbits in Hong Kong has led to some owners realizing they may have taken on more than they can handle. Tolobunny, established in 2015, is a shelter dedicated to rehoming abandoned rabbits, often organizing public adoption events. Bridget Ng, a spokesperson, foresees a rise in calls to the shelter’s 24-hour rescue hotline following the new year, with volunteers currently caring for 42 rabbits surrendered by their owners.
Ng notes that there tends to be an increase in people wanting to keep rabbits during festive holidays like Valentine’s Day, Easter, or Christmas. However, a pattern emerges where these rabbits are later abandoned after a few months. While homeless dogs and cats receive more attention and care, Winky Cheng, the founder, hopes that more resources and attention can be directed towards all abandoned animals.