Here at MyHouseAnimals, we advocate for adopting rabbits, rather than buying. This is because there are so many rabbits out there who need a home, and adopting can help prevent shelters from becoming overrun and save rabbits from euthanasia, amongst other things.
Read on below about the benefits of adopting a pet rabbit and why we recommend it.
Why Should I Adopt A Pet Rabbit?
You might be wondering why you should adopt a rabbit, rather than just buy one from a pet store. Well, there are plenty of reasons why adopting a rabbit is not only beneficial for the bun, but also for you.
Save A Rabbit From Euthanasia
Shelters are often overrun with animals, and don’t have room for them all. Therefore, the solution is often to euthanize certain animals, simply because there are not enough resources for them to be looked after.
If you choose to adopt a rabbit, you’ll potentially be saving a bunny from euthanasia and also be helping to keep the population at shelters down. This means they can take in more animals in need.
Lots Of Choice
You might have your heart set on a certain breed of rabbit, and you might get lucky at a shelter. Rescue organizations often have rabbits of varying size, age, color and breed, so there should be a lot of choice.
However, one of the best things about a rescue shelter is that you might end up falling in love with a bunny you hadn’t considered. For example, you might see an older bun who you could give a great last few years to, or a mixed breed that you hadn’t thought of before.
Less Vet Bills
Rescue organizations often have partnerships with local vet clinics who will neuter or spay rabbits in the shelter when they reach sexual maturity. This means you won’t need to worry about having to pay for the cost of this important procedure when you adopt your bunny.
Rescue shelters will also check over your bunny for any other health conditions and get these properly treated before you can take them home. You will also be warned if the bun you are interested in is prone to any health issues, so you can decide if you will be able to afford the vet bills they may have.
Adopting a rabbit from a shelter gives you the transparency about vet costs for that particular bun, which you might not get if buying from a pet store.
Accustomed To Family Life
Volunteers at rescue shelters take the time to accustom bunnies to different spaces, including houses and apartments. Many rabbits are also fostered before they are adopted, so are used to living in a home with other people, pets and even children.
This makes life a lot easier for you, especially if you are adopting a rabbit into a busy household. While your bun will still take some time to get used to their new home after adoption, adopting from a shelter can often give you the peace of mind that they will be able to live there happily.
What’s more, many shelters or fosterers will go to the trouble of litter training the rabbits that come to them. This will save a lot of time when you take your bun home, giving you more time to love and play with them!
Adopt A Bonded Pair
You may be looking to adopt more than one rabbit, so your bun doesn’t get lonely. Often, when rabbits are given up, they are given up in pairs. This means that you may well be able to adopt a bonded pair straight from the shelter, and will not have to worry about bonding two rabbits later on.
Adopting two or more bonded rabbits is a good idea if you live a very busy life and can’t be at home all the time. The rabbits will be able to entertain each other while you are out, so they don’t get bored!
How Do I Adopt A Pet Rabbit?
The way in which you adopt a pet rabbit will be determined by where you are adopting them from. Different shelters and organizations will have different methods, so it’s important to find out directly from them what the process is, before you go ahead.
Generally, you will be able to visit any rabbits in need of rehoming at the shelter, so you can get to know more about them. Workers at the shelter will be able to tell you about their temperament, age, and needs, amongst other information, so you’ll be able to decide if they will fit into your lifestyle.
Each shelter will have different criteria that you will need to meet before you take your rabbit home. This will include ample space for them, as well as the time needed to look after one of these furry friends.
You can learn more about what a pet rabbit needs here.
Once you have decided on the bunny you want, you may be able to take them home the same day. Some organizations may need to do a home visit first, to check you would be a suitable owner. This process depends on the shelter you are adopting from.
If you’ve decided to adopt a rabbit, read our article on preparing to bring your pet rabbit home so you can have everything ready for their arrival.
