When the local bunny hotel received a call to help eight little ‘octobuns’ out of a terrible fate, they immediately stepped in.
Johannesburg, South Africa (26 November 2025) – Where do Jozi’s pampered bunnies go when their humans are away? The Happy Bunny Retreat. It’s a small, family-run ‘bunny hotel’ in Sandringham that gives rabbits their own rooms, food and all the comforts that make a stay feel safe and familiar.
And importantly, they’re not a shelter or rescue organisation. They’re a boarding retreat.
So when emergencies land on their doorstep, helping isn’t technically part of the job.
But bunny-loving and being a good person go hand in hand.
Last Sunday, the team was getting ready for the December rush when a call came in from a distressed bunny owner. A fluffle of newborn rabbits had been found on someone’s property, and instead of being handled humanely, they were about to be drowned for being “unwanted.”
“How can anyone even think of doing something so cruel to something so tiny and innocent? Those of us with hearts will never understand.” shared the retreat.
There wasn’t much time to think. The bunny hotel immediately stepped in for the rescue and gathered support.
ARC Rabbit Assist member Reney Warrington rushed over to help with the first feed. Corien Lombard from Cottontail Cuts came to keep an eye on the babies. Leanne’s son, Jared, helped weigh each kit so their progress could be tracked.
By the end of the day, all eight tiny rabbits were safe, warm, and settling into their little makeshift nest. It was a huge turnaround from how their day could have ended.
It is now almost a week later, and the ‘octobuns’, as they’ve aptly been dubbed, are doing well.
“All 8 buns are doing well so far and eating like champs,” the tetreat shared. “I get a little better at it every day and they are getting more confident and active too.”
While they’re safe for now, they’ll eventually need sterilising and, more importantly, loving forever homes. If you’d like to help, visit this link for contact details.
“While all is good now, one day they will need to be sterilized and, very importantly, they will need to find loving forever homes (I have 11 of my own and a hotel of guests to care for) and that will take a village!” shares the retreat.
Sources: Linked above
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 