Information and Frequently Asked Questions About Fostering

Thank you for your interest in being a foster parent with Rabbit Rescue! Fostering is a rewarding process that helps save the lives of rabbits in need and gives them a second chance at a new life. Our rescue is located in Ontario, Canada. Please read through this entire page for our fostering area and to see if fostering is right for you.

If you have any questions, you can email Brittany, the Adoptions and Foster Manager, at brittany@rabbitrescue.ca

About Fostering

Rabbit Rescue’s Responsibilities

Cover all vet costs at the vet clinics we work with, including spay/neuter, RHDV vaccine, and other appointments as needed.
Book all vet appointments and communicate with vets on treatment plans.
Provide supplies for fostering, including housing (x-pens or NIC panels), a carrier, food and water dishes as needed.
Promote adoptable rabbits on social media, Petfinder, and our website.
Screen all incoming applications for suitable adopters.
Provide support and assistance via phone, email, and our online Google Group. Email is the best way to reach us.

Foster Home’s Responsibilities

Provide food, hay, water, treats and litter to the foster rabbit. See more about approved foot & litter below.
Contact Haviva & Brittany at the first sign of your rabbit feeling unwell.
Transport your foster rabbit to and from one of the Rabbit Rescue vets for all appointments that the foster rabbit needs.
Send photos and videos of your foster rabbit for social media updates.
Meet with potential adopters and provide honest and detailed information about your foster animal.

FAQ for Foster Homes

Q: Can I foster without a car?

A: Like any rabbit, foster bunnies can and do get sick, and regular access to a vehicle to transport a rabbit to the vet is essential. Rabbits get sick at all hours of the day/night, including holidays and weekends. Getting them timely access to whichever vet has availability for us is crucial. Relying on carshare/Ubers is often not feasible due to cost restraints or lack of access (ie, not all drivers are willing to drive from Toronto to Guelph). For the safety and well-being of the foster rabbits, our foster homes do need to be able to transport a rabbit to all our vets.

*Note: Our vets are Jameson Queen Animal Hospital, Beaches Animal Hospital and Campus Estates Animal Hospital, plus Abbey Animal Hospital for vaccinations. Fosters are required to be able to get to all four vets for both regular appointments and emergency appointments.

Q: I saw a bunny looking for a foster home at a shelter in Quebec/at a last chance shelter, how can I help?

A: Rabbit Rescue is contacted frequently about rabbits at shelters in Quebec/at last chance shelters that will be euthanized due to space/overcrowding. We are not euthanizing these rabbits and they are not with our rescue. In order to help these rabbits, we need foster homes in Ontario, inside of our fostering zone (see vets access requirement above). Upon a successful application, the rabbit will be driven through a volunteer service to a stop along the 401 in the city where the foster home is located. Foster homes are not required to drive to Quebec to pick up a bunny. They just need to be able to meet up with the transport team at the 401 meet up spot. These rabbits often have unknown health histories and we cannot guarantee gender/personality prior to intake.

Q: Can I help if I don’t live in Ontario? What is your fostering zone?

A: Our fosters must be located driving distance from our vets, listed in bold above. If you live outside of our fostering zone (including another province or country), please consider fostering locally! There are rabbits at shelters and rescues everywhere that need help and would appreciate a safe foster home.

Q: What should I keep on hand for emergencies?

A: We recommend keeping the following supplies on hand as an Emergency Toolkit for your foster, or any rabbits in your home: Ovol (Simethicone), Critical Care, syringes (both 1 ml & large feeding syringes. Feeding syringes have a catheter tip, NOT luer lock, and come in 35ml and 60ml sizes).

Q: Can I take my foster rabbit to a vet close by?

A: You must take your foster bunny to one of Rabbit Rescues vets. Rabbit Rescue covers vet expenses for foster rabbits, however if you would like to make a donation toward their care it is very much appreciated! Donations are tax deductible and all donations will receive a tax receipt. If you decide to take the bunny to a different vet, it must be a rabbit savvy vet approved by Haviva and Brittany and you will be responsible for covering any expenses incurred.

Q: What if I can’t get my foster rabbit to one of Rabbit Rescues vets?

A: In a one-time situation where you cannot get your rabbit to the vet, we can sometimes find transportation assistance. We prefer that you go with the foster rabbit to the vet appointment, because you know your foster rabbit best, and the vet may have specific questions for you. However, if you are unable to attend the appointment, we will do our best to arrange alternate transportation.

Q: What should I transport my foster rabbit in?

A: ALL rabbits MUST be transported in a secure carrier, or box. Box must have a secure fitting lid, WITH appropriate air holes. Please place something down on the bottom of carrier/box to help prevent slipping, and so if they urinate, they will not get wet. You are NOT permitted to hold your foster on your lap in the car (not safe) or have them in a transporter we did not approve (i.e. laundry bin).

Q: Can I take my foster rabbit outside/house them outdoors?

A: All foster rabbits MUST be housed INDOORS in a home environment at all times. Rabbits cannot be taken outside for playtime, photos etc. This includes in a stroller for walks. Fosters are not permitted to bring their foster rabbit to a park or other public facility on or off a leash or in a pen. Rabbits should only go outside in a suitable carrier for vet visits or unless otherwise approved by Haviva and Brittany. This is imperative for the safety of the rabbits as they can get sick or be seriously injured.

Q: What do I feed my foster bunny?

A: You need to feed a diet that contains unlimited Timothy hay, limited pellets, appropriate vegetables, and sparing treats of course! Detailed information on diet can be found on our website. Brittany will provide precise directions on feeding that is specific to each foster rabbit.

Acceptable foods:

Pellets – Please ONLY feed an approved pellet. If you aren’t sure, please contact Brittany to confirm. For adult rabbits, they must be fed a Timothy based pellet. Great options include: Martin Little Friends Timothy Adult Rabbit Food, Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food, Oxbow Garden Select Adult Rabbit Food, Science Selective House Rabbit*, Selective Naturals Grain Free Rabbit Food*, Sherwood Adult Pellets (there are a few formulas, look for any that are Timothy hay based without Alfalfa).*Please note, the Adult and Four+ formula from this brand contain alfalfa hay, which is not recommended for adult rabbits as it can cause calcium build-up, sludge etc.An average 5-7 lb rabbit should only be getting 1/4 cup daily. Do NOT feed pellets with “treats” in it that are separate pieces (such as corn, peas, carrots etc.)
Hay – Timothy hay, botanical hay, oat hay, brome, etc. Main diet should consist of Timothy hay. Do not feed alfalfa hay unless otherwise specified (i.e. rabbit is young).
Vegetables: parsley, romaine lettuce, dandelion, carrot tops, endive, red or green leaf lettuce, basil and dill. Vegetables high in calcium (kale, spinach) should be fed sparingly, not more than once per week. Do NOT feed vegetables that may cause gas (i.e. cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli). More details can be found on the RR website.
Fruits/Treats: Fruit is a favorite food of rabbits, but these are treat foods and should be fed sparingly. Too much sugar can cause an overgrowth of bacteria in a rabbits’ gut and can upset their stomach. We recommend MAX 1 tablespoons per 5 lb rabbit per day. Some favorite treats are banana, carrot, strawberries, watermelon, apple, dried cranberries and papaya. Ensure that any dried fruit is free of oil and sugar. When looking for a treat, stay away from products with nuts, seeds, corn (all of which are too high in fat and can cause impaction), sugar and dairy (rabbits are vegans!).

NEVER EVER FEED RAISINS OR GRAPES! They can cause acute kidney failure. Like other animals, raisins and grapes can be toxic to rabbits.

Q: What kind of litter should I use?

A: Approved litters are: Yesterday’s News (or Mewsprint), Carefresh, and Wood Stove Pellets (without accelerant). Do NOT use any clumping or clay litter, corn cob bedding or Swheat scoop.

Q: I’m going on holidays. What do I do with my foster rabbit?

A: When going on holidays, you need to let us know in advance. One option is to arrange for a rabbit sitter to come to your home minimum 2/day to care for the rabbit while you are away. Or you can bring your foster(s) to an approved sitter (someone you know, one of our volunteers etc.). If the person is not one of Rabbit Rescue’s approved bunsitters, they must fill out a Foster Application and be approved to bunsit your foster. If you are unable to find someone to look after the foster bunny, you need to let us know with enough time to see if one of our volunteers would be able to help.

PLEASE NOTE:

Adoptions must be able to take place while you are away if someone is interested in adopting your foster. If the person you arrange to watch the foster is not comfortable handling the adoption, we will provide a volunteer to come to your home to assist.

Q: Can I let my foster rabbit play with my own rabbits?

A: No! Please do not let your own rabbits interact with any foster rabbits. They should not even be able to see each other. If they are allowed together, they may begin to bond, or worse – they may fight and injure each other. If you have other animals, please ask first before introducing them to your foster rabbit, as certain guidelines must be followed.

Q: Can I house a foster rabbit in the same room with my own rabbits?

A: No. Foster rabbits may never be housed in the same room with your own rabbits.

Living in the same room together, they could begin to bond. There is also a risk of passing illness between them or fighting resulting in serious injuries.

Q: Can I house more than one foster in the same room?

A: In most circumstances, multiple foster rabbits may NOT be housed in the same room together. If you wish to foster more than one animal, be sure to communicate this to Brittany. We do our best to accommodate our foster parents, and help save as many lives as possible, with keeping the safety and well-being of our animals at the forefront of our mission.

Q: Can I foster for a couple weeks?

A: On average, it takes about 6-9 months for a rabbit to find their forever home, though some get adopted in only a few weeks and some have been with us for years. We know not everyone can commit for multiple years, however to avoid the foster rabbits moving around too often, we do ask for a minimum 6 month commitment.

RHDV & Foster Homes at Rabbit Rescue

Our foster homes are required to have all rabbits in their home vaccinated against RHDV and maintain quarantine procedures in their home in order to foster for Rabbit Rescue, to keep both the foster rabbit(s) and their own rabbit(s) safe. You can find information on Maintaining Quarantine in Your Home here: www.rabbitrescue.ca/RHDV

Ready to foster? Apply today! Click here for the application or email brittany@rabbitrescue.ca.