The story behind Peacebunny Island

14-year-old animal-lover, entrepreneur and visionary, Caleb Smith, bought a 22-acre island on the Mississippi River to train comfort rabbits.

This inspiring young man named his land Peacebunny Island and aims to create a magical place for rabbits to live in safety and for visitors to find connection with all that is good and gentle in the world.

In celebration of Caleb’s beautiful project, we created a Sleep Story imagining the adventures of his furry friends. Now you can drift off to sleep as you travel to the Mississippi River and rub noses with the rabbits of The Tale of Peacebunny Island.

To learn more about Caleb’s mission to share hugs, hope and hoppiness, we asked him a few questions:

Tell us about your comfort bunnies

Caleb: Comfort rabbits and their youth guardians go into communities to create joy, peace and calm wherever they go. I call that “hoppiness.” Some of these rabbits get fostered by people who need some extra love in a way that only a bunny can, many on the autism spectrum. We have been to many children’s funerals and to school impacted by tragedy and/or violence. At times where there is great sadness it feels good to be able to do something. We also take comfort rabbits to senior centers and community events.

It is bitter sweet that our rabbits serve at children’s funerals and have travelled nationally to support schools after violence, but we’re grateful to be able to provide some comfort for those in times of grief and loss.

Currently we have a waitlist for my Comfort Rabbits. I think we’ve found a sweet way to create demand for these beautiful breeds. I’m proud to say that our sustainable plan is just as good for the rabbits as those who need some extra love and support.

So why an island?

Caleb: I wanted a place that was quiet, away from distractions, a place to train the rabbits and our youth staff. Bunnies won’t swim off. Predators don’t swim on. Safe for the kids. Amazing relaxing time on the river. Win-win.

How did you find the island?

Caleb: I spent a long lazy summer island hopping by canoe and houseboat. Over four months I trekked between an island I began calling “Peacebunny Island” and smaller islets I named Whiskers, Hope, and Hoppiness. I began inviting experts who would help me create a plan that would make the island sustainable and safe for my rabbits, youth guests, and the environment.

The island plan is completely sustainable, using solar energy for a rustic campsite that hosts other youth bunny guardians.

As a 14-year-old how did you have enough money to buy an island?

The year before I won money through an entrepreneurship contest and that’s how I bought a 43 foot houseboat and initially leased the island. Last summer I lived on the island for four months, testing out my big idea, then surprisingly the owners offered to sell it to me because they loved my idea!

Since then I’ve been continuing to raise funds for the rabbit’s food and care plus the rent for Peacebunny Cottage rent by bringing the rabbits to fun events. But, I never charge for the comfort rabbits go out into the community.

In addition to being in middle school, I work hard doing chores to ensure proper care and natural feed for 16 different breeds, including some endangered breeds listed with the Livestock Conservancy.

I’m still floating on air because my dream is real — I own an island that I bought for bunnies.

Caleb Smith, Founder of Peacebunny Island

How can people support your project?

You can help train and care for more comfort rabbits by:

Visiting the Peacebunny Island website to see photos of the real rabbits mentioned in the Sleep Story. While you’re there there, please subscribe to help them attract sponsors.
Wear or gift a Peacebunny Island t-shirt
Share this sweet story within your social network
Please consider giving an online donation in honor of someone whose name will be written on a rock placed on the island.

Anything we should know about the Sleep Story?

Caleb: While the The Tale of Peacebunny Island showcases the names of champions from the Peacebunny rabbitry, aside from the cottonwood trees, the story is fictional, including types of animals, vegetation and details about the river.