SOME people might think she is hopping mad but Sarah MacRonald has made her rabbit habit into a living.
The 35-year-old not only has 11 as pets – two of which have their own Facebook pages – but has turned her Coulsdon garden into a bunny paradise and now runs Croydon's first rabbit-only boarding service.
Her love of cuddly little critters was even a factor when she split with her husband, who walked out of the door with the final words: "See how far you and your ******* rabbits get without me."
Pretty far, as it happens. The mother of three (or should that be 14) is making a successful business looking after rabbits while their owners are away from home.
"My husband was annoyed that I spent so much time with the rabbits and, to be fair, they did take over my life," she told the Advertiser.
"But, if anyone ever says 'It's me or the rabbits' then sorry, it's the rabbits every time."
Ms MacRonald's love of rabbits began when she bought her first bunny – Rupert – five years ago.
"Why did I suddenly start? I was 30 and I could," she said.
"I had my third child, my two girls were at school during the day and we had a big garden. So I thought: 'Right, now I can get that bunny."
The former bank worker bought Rupert and the largest hutch in the pet store. Ms MacRonald, who even has a rabbit tattoo, admits now she did not know what she was letting herself in for.
"I was in for a shock," she said. "I didn't realise how much care rabbits need, how much they cost, and how much I would end up loving them.
"They are the hardest animal on the planet to keep alive. They suffer from dental problems which can develop into abscesses.
"You also have to be really careful with what they eat because they have very sensitive digestive systems.
"It's also really important that rabbits have a friend and aren't left to live on their own."
And, like that, Ms MacRonald's rabbits multiplied. After Rupert, she bought three Netherland Dwarf females and then, when they would not bond, three males as well. One was called Steviebunbunbabybadboy.
Contrary to the impression given by the way they are kept in pet shops, rabbits need a large amount of space in which to live, so the garden of Ms MacRonald's home in Portnalls Road quickly became a maze of runs and coops.
With her house a veritable bunny metropolis, last April a friend happened on an idea. Why not turn it into a holiday camp too? Celeb-Bunnies was born.
While she used to work at a bank now Ms MacRonald charges £20 per bunny, per night (£25 for two) to take care of rabbits while their owners are away from home.
The boarding service was fully-booked over the summer and business has been so good that, for now, she does not have to return to the job she gave up after having her third child.
Her aim is to one day open a full rabbit rescue and, to that end, is studying for an online diploma in rabbit behaviour, physiology and welfare.
Growing up in a house full of rabbits sounds like every child's dream, but her children, Megan, 13, Molly, 11, and Connor, 6, are not as keen as you would think.
"Connor likes them, but the girls are bored of it," she said. "They get excited by other people's rabbits but aren't interested in ours. They keep telling me to stop getting them.
"I can't imagine not having them. It's just a shame I haven't got a passion for something that's going to make me rich."
