Remember last year, when that extraordinary photo of Betty Chu’s rabbit went viral? (Actually, it is still is viral.) Now there is another viral Angora rabbit bunny, “Wally,” who has become an internet sensation, via the Instagram account his person, Molly Prottas, keeps for him.
Wally the rabbit, gone viral
“‘Explosively Cute’ Bunny With Ponytails is Internet Smash”
“Wally the Angora bunny is the only hairspiration you need”
“Wally The Angora Bunny Is Your Ultimate Summer Hairspiration”
I am flattered to say, Wally’s person has paid us a visit here at AngoraRabbit.com! On our Questions about Angora Rabbits page, Molly Prottas left this message:
Molly Prottas
Hello everyone! I’m not sure if anyone has seen that my rabbit, Wally, has “gone viral” on social media (I started an instagram account in January with his photos). I’m worried about the negative effects this could be having in terms of people buying Angoras without knowing how to properly care for them. I wanted to reach out for some advice. I don’t want a lot of Angoras to end up in people’s homes without being properly cared for and then to end up in poor health or in shelters without homes. Having any kind of a rabbit is a huge responsibility and requires a lot of learning and education – Angoras are even more complicated! Please feel free to email me at thisiswallysemail@gmail.com.
We agree with Ms Protta, that although English Angora Rabbits are incredibly appealing, they ARE very high maintenance, and not for the person who does not have the time and interest in giving them the intensive personal care they require.
Even more worrisome is the thought that someone might decide that the Wally craze is their cue to cash in, and start breeding the heck out of Angoras, for the purpose of selling the bunnies as pets. We see unwanted and neglected Angora rabbits listed on Craigslist all the time, and would advise would-be breeders to put on the brakes.
If you are one of Wally’s fans who may be thinking about getting an English Angora Rabbit of your own, please do your homework first. Read all of the articles on this website. Join the National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club. Join the American Rabbit Breeders Club. Even if you just want the rabbit as a pet and are not interested in breeding or showing, you will receive a lot of valuable, useful information about Angoras, and rabbits in general, from those clubs. AFTER you have gotten educated, then perhaps you might be ready for Angora Rabbit ownership.