Many people don't want to think about the colder temperatures that are on their way to New York state. Others must plan ahead to be prepared for the long winter. One of those is the only bunny-only shelter in Upstate New York.

The founder of Hunter Hollow has consistently rescued more bunnies than she has heated space for. In the summer, there is not as big of an issue. In the winter months, she needs forever homes for the rabbits.

Planning for 50 a year, but receiving 162 in 2022 leaves her hopping into gear. Despite the high numbers, Hunter Hollow is also on the Bissell Rescue List to take any bunnies abandoned because of Hurricane Ian.

"It's winter coming on,” Hunter Hollow founder Annie Laurie said. “And we've got three buildings that we need to shut down because they're non-conditioned spaces. Everybody's fed water twice a day. They've already had their breakfast."

Hunter Hollow Bunny Bed and Breakfast is a nonprofit rescue shelter for domestic bunnies.

"This is Write,” Laurie said. “She was born here. And she's been here for over a year and she's one of the 10 that have been here since, like, last year that really, really neat homes with winter."

With winter ahead, the shelter is facing a housing crisis. Currently sheltering 80 bunnies, their climate controlled spaces only have room for 50.

"We need at least 40 rabbits adopted out in the next two months," Laurie said.

As one of only two bunny only rescues in New York state, you may wonder how it is the domestic bunnies come to be here.

"We've got Crikey, who is an exclamation, and we've got Geronima. They are both Angoras and so they're going to be very special adoptions because they are very high needs rabbits. A good 50% of the bunnies that end up here came from pet stores or breeders and getting a bunny at the store is like $50, but to spay or neuter it, the cost right now is about $500 and it's probably $1,500 for your first year. You know, including spay and neuter cost, is adopting a bunny from here they're already spayed, neutered and vaccinated and the adoption fee is $150. So then you're still paying for caging, you're still paying for food, but we've taken $350 out of the equation. Most of the bunnies here are ready for adoption. These are in our annex which is not supposed to have bunnies in it. They're not supposed to be here.”

That's why Laurie has a plan to help the bunnies find where they're supposed to be with their forever family.

"We'll be doing an adoption days,” Laurie explained. “People can come in and adopt the option fee is $150 and every bunny here is spayed or neutered and vaccinated before they can leave."

Cute, but not foolish. All adoptive families are screened.

"We're trying to solve the problem of bunnies getting recycled," she said.

A problem she is committed to being part of the solutions in this bunny tale.

In June, New York passed a bill to end the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores, named the Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill. The bill sits, waiting on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature to become law.

In recent days, even more bunnies have been dropped off at Hunter Hollow. They’re a result of impulse purchases of bunnies during the New York State Fair.

The adoption event is Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in East Syracuse.