Eureka Springs, Ark. (KY3/Gray News) – Business is “hot” at the East By West store in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Owner Yume Leavell’s rabbits, Mochi and Nacho, have never been “hares” who are late for work.
Leavell has had rabbits in the store for 22 years, ever since she received her first rabbit as a gift.
“I don’t know what to do with rabbits, and I work a lot,” LeVille said. “So I took them to work so we could play with them. Before you knew it, they started taking things off the counter.”
Instead of getting angry, Leavell has an idea: put those bunnies to work!
Her bunny sits on the checkout counter at the store. Leavell would hand them a credit card or change. They grab it from Leavell, turn around, and put it down for the customer. Then, Leavell hands the rabbits a paper bag, which they grab, turn, and hand to the customer.
Leavell says it doesn’t require much training; the rabbit is a bit “play by ear.”
Mochi has been working since December and she has been working. Nacho has only been doing this since August, and it’s still a work in progress.
Thankfully, no credit cards or dollar bills were swallowed.
“Now, they might chew the bag or the receipt,” Leavell said.
The bunnies get paid. They receive full medical benefits. Even though they are not unionized, they still have time off to check on customers in the store.
Another thing rabbits have in common is that they are all adopted. Over the years, Leavell has rescued many rabbits and brought them back to life.
“[Mochi]and her siblings were put in a cardboard box and dumped in front of a gas station in Little Rock,” Leavell said. “[Nacho]was dumped in a park and jumped to animal control officials hungry and thirsty.”
It’s not just rabbits that Leavell saves and tries to train.
“We had a guinea pig that used to work,” Leavell said. “Jelly Bean. She’ll give things out.”
Thanks to Leavell, the rabbits can live “happily” ever since.
Leavell also has rabbits at work at her other store, Caroline’s Collectibles.
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