Breeder Spotlight: Timothy Chan – Tru Luv Rabbitry

Many breeders have had a positive influence on the rabbit industry. Some have brought rabbits to areas where quality rabbits have rarely been before. Others have spent years perfecting a breed in hopes of bringing a new breed to their country’s rabbit organization.

Timothy Chan of Tru-Luv Rabbitry in Malaysia is one of those special breeders. Prior to Timothy’s adventure into rabbits, Malaysia not only lacked purebred rabbits, but a rabbit organization to support his passion. Here’s a little about Timothy and his love for rabbits.

Be sure to visit Timothy’s weblog at Tru Luv Rabbitry

Timothy’s Start in Rabbits

Two online weblogs has the biggest influence in my rabbit raising hobby. Fours years ago in year 2006, I had quit my day job and was spending some time looking for a new one. It was a time of self discovery for me. As keeping pets has always been my interest since the tender age of 7 years old, I was surfing the internet and stumbled across Laurie Stroupe’s The Nature Trail rabbitry weblog. I was so captivated by the looks of her “bulldog” rabbits. Soon after, through some searches, I stumbled across Three Little Ladies Rabbitry weblog and from that moment, I was so hooked on this Holland Lop fever.

Breeds He has Raised

I have raised many mixed bred/mongrels in the past because prior to year 2007 (when I imported my first Holland Lop), it is safe to say that there were no purebred here in Malaysia. Holland Lop is the first and only breed that I have raised so far.

Other Breeds of Interest

Other than the Holland Lop, the next breed that I might be interested in would be either the Netherland Dwarf, Mini Rex or English Lop. Space is always an issue for me and currently my rabbitry can only hold the maximum of 23 holes.

Influences on Timothy’s Rabbit Raising Journey

The list of breeders that have influenced me is endless. I only fear that I might have missed out names if I start listing. They have influenced me in many ways through their advices and photos shared. Being so far away from the USA, I learn how the Holland Lop should be through photos. I hope that I do not offend anyone that I might have missed out and here is an abbreviated list of breeders/rabbitries that have inspired me in this hobby Three Little Ladies Rabbitry, Butler Bootcamp Rabbitry, THF Saynora, Camelot, The Nature Trail, Hamilton’s Hoppin’ Lops, White River Rabbitry, ELS Rabbitry, Dan’s Hollands, Critter Coop Rabbitry, LOV, Ivy Crescent Rabbitry, L&R Rabbitry, DTL Rabbitry, Snowberry Holland, Naragon, Dietrich, Cornerstone Rabbitry, Raffay’s Rabbitry, Dovehill, Bear Bunz Rabbitry, Mo’ Bunnies, Marshal Hill, Keep’s Rabbitry, Lop Till You Drop, Washburn Rabbitry, Ormond’s, Miller’s Rabbitry, Wark’s Rabbitry, Tymin Rabbitry, Proud Ears’ Rabbitry, The Rabbit Hole, Willow Walker Rabbitry, A&R Rabbitry, Spring Lake Lops, and many many more.

Not forgetting a very special person I hold ever so closely to my heart – Teri Reymann of Sonshine Rabbitry for helping me with the shipment from Scott Rodriguez & Kay Miller. Teri later sent me a doe as a gift that has contributed BONE to my herd.

As you can tell there are many people that affect a breeder. A kind word or encouraging moment can have a lasting impact on a new or even established breeder. I am glad to see such a long list of people and rabbitries that have had such a large impact on Timothy.

A Few Things Timothy Has Accomplished

In the USA accomplishments are counted in the number of ARBA GC Legs and also Grand Champion certificates. Unfortunately for us here in Malaysia, we have yet to have regular ARBA Sanctioned Shows and therefore my accomplishment does not come in the form of Grand Championships. I believe the biggest accomplishment in rabbits for me to date is to be featured in 6 local dailies, 2 magazines and 1 TV station. Stop by here: Tru Luv Media and you can view many of the publications that Timothy has appeared in. Not forgetting being appointed as the Overseas District Representative for ARBA’s District 9.

Timothy’s Most Memorable Moments in Rabbits

I must say that raising Holland Lops has been a roller coaster ride. There have been many downhill experiences and just a few happy moments. The memorable stories usually revolve around the generous and good people I have met in this hobby. Although it is not a rabbit story per se, I find it worth mentioning. When I first started in the hobby, I was taken advantages of and I can safely say that I was cheated by an unscrupulous breeder. I persevered in my search for my foundation stock and since I hold this hobby very close to the heart, I actually had tears in my eyes when Scott Rodriguez of Ivy Crescent agreed to help me start up with a quad made up of 2 rabbits from him and 2 others from Kay Miller. I was shocked to later learn from him that one of the rabbits from Kay would be the 2007 #1 Top Lop. I can never forget that day.

The most memorable rabbit story that I can always remember is the moment I laid my eyes on the quad that Scott Rodriguez & Kay Miller sent me at the airport. It was unbelievable that they finally arrived and they were definitely the best in Malaysia at that moment of time. Feels like a historical moment.

Favorite Rabbit

My favorite thus far is Tru-Luv Symphony. She is a broken chocolate Holland Lop. I crossed a broken black (choc carrier) doe to a solid tort buck. The tort buck have no chocolate behind it as far as the pedigree is concerned. Out came Symphony and what a surprise it was. At 4 weeks, I took Symphony out from the cage and started to pose her. My wife while being busy doing chores, stopped to admire her. That was a rare sight indeed. Symphony have since learned how to stand on her two back feet when I tap on her chin. During the interviews by the dailies recently, the journalists and photographers we so in awe with her. She is definitely my favorite home grown Holland Lop.

Rabbit Clubs and Offices

I founded the Malaysian Rabbit Owners’ Club (MROC) and currently act as the President of the club. We have submitted the ARBA Club Sanction form recently. We have also submitted an application to the Registrar Of Societies here in Malaysia and hope they will approve so that we can start recruiting members and that will allow us to collect membership fees.

Rabbit Shows in Malaysia

We are hoping to organize a show at least on a yearly basis. We will be having our first show as part of a Pet Exhibition event on 4th June 2011. It will be held in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. If the turn out and support is good, we will organize more with the experience gained.

Some Tips for New Breeders

Patience. I have learn nothing but patience and most importantly, stay out of rabbit drama. Always approach the person personally instead of depending on hearsay. Often times, I noticed that disputes happened through hearsay and it is so easy to tarnish a fellow breeder’s reputation through bad mouth. Never believe in second hand information. Go direct.

Other Pets

I used to have many types of animals as pets in the past. Sugar gliders, hedgehogs, green iguana, hamsters, dogs, parakeets and fishes just to name a few but I now raise Holland Lops exclusively. Rabbits will do for now.

Some Closing Remarks

I would like to remind all budding and aspired breeders that it takes a lot of effort for the seasoned breeders to get to where they are at the moment. There is no short cut in the hobby and we must always persevere in our quest for perfection. Anything that is done through the heart will always be successful.

Thank you to Timothy for sharing some of his rabbit experiences with us. I hope that he is as much of an encouragement to you as he has been to us. Those of us that have known Timothy can’t wait for the day when we will see him at an ARBA Convention!

Dont forget to subscribe to Timothy’s Blog at Tru Luv Rabbitry.

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