Bongo also has malocclusion, which means his front teeth don't line up. Usually rabbits with this condition cannot use the front teeth. Rabbit teeth grow constantly, and without being able to chew and gnaw on things, the teeth will end up escaping the lips and making it impossible for the rabbit to eat. While Bongo's teeth are an issue that his new family will need to watch very carefully, his foster mom reports that, once his teeth were trimmed, he's been using them to bite some items like chew sticks and carry objects around. He will need routine maintenance on his teeth to keep them neatly trimmed. The other option would be front teeth removal. His teeth problems do require that he have a specially-prepared diet; his fresh vegetables should be given in small pieces. He does best with carrots that are shaved or in small, pick-up-stick size pieces, lettuce that is broken into medium sized pieces, and thin strands of cilantro, grass, and hay. He behaves as if he's desperate for food all the time, as if he thinks he will never eat again. His foster mom has remarked that he's more like a dog: he will knock over the office trash can to see if there's anything left in food wrappers that might get tossed in there, then carry the wrapper around between his teeth so he can hide it in his cage for later!

Despite his cosmetic concerns, Bongo is full of life and has been busy entertaining his foster family. He simply wants to be loved and give love. He follows his foster mom around, even hopping over the gate to beg in front of the refrigerator, pushing his way through the cat hierarchy. He hangs out at foster mom's feet while she's sitting down, and no matter where he is in the room, as soon as a human appears, he bounces right over for a head scratch or ear rub.

Bongo's head tilt makes him look all that more darling! He can't flip his ear over on his own, but when it’s in the right position, you see how cute a mini-lop he can be. When he's out and about, though, the ear flops over his head and gives him the appearance of wearing a baseball cap. He flips it so he can actually see. He looks like he's tilting his head to charm his way into getting what he wants! He does have some balance problems; he will occasionally fall off his hidey house when he goes to hop onto it, and he doesn't do the binky, the special happy-rabbit bounce & hop. He's quick to right himself up and continue on his busy schedule, however. With his floppy ear dragging on the floor, he will also step and trip over it but keeps on going! His litter box habits are very good; he knows that where there is hay, he is allowed to do his business. This can be confusing to him when he's given a pile of hay to eat; he will turn that bowl of hay into another litter box. The good news is that he does not soil any other place in his living area.

Bongo will be available for adoption after his neuter appointment on September 8th. Interested families should stop by the animal shelter to talk to a Small Animal Specialist about the type of care he will need long term, and go through an Adoption Survey before arranging a meet and greet with him, as he will continue to stay in his foster home until adoption. He shares his current home with cats, hamsters, and guinea pigs, and while he would love to be friends with all of them, the resident cats are not interested in getting to know Bongo. He has been around preschool-aged children, but because of his head tilt it is not recommended that he spend a lot of time with small children because they don't always realize how rough they can be even when they are gentle. It is also not recommended that he live with dogs, but if you have one and are interested lets talk.

Bongo comes with a few challenges, but they pale in comparison to the zest he has for life and the joy he can bring to someone special. If you think that you might be that special person, come in and talk to a Small Animal Specialist who will be happy to go over what Bongo will need to live a full, active, abundant life.