Rules, Guidelines and Information for Fosters

For any medical concerns please contact Haviva and Brittany immediately at haviva@rabbitrescue.ca & brittany@rabbitrescue.ca. Please DO NOT wait to see if it passes on its own. We need all medical information sent regardless the severity. If your foster appears ‘off’ this should be communicated immediately.

Things such as: reduced appetite, sneezing, runny nose, soft/mushy poo are all to be treated as URGENT. Contact Haviva and Brittany right away.

All foster rabbits MUST be housed INDOORS at all times. Rabbits cannot be taken outside for playtime, photos etc. This includes in a stroller for walks.

You are not permitted to bring your 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.

Please contact us any time with any questions or concerns you may have. We are always here to help, and we want this experience to be a fun and enjoyable one for you.

Below is a brief outline of what is involved for fostering for Rabbit Rescue.

Please read through it and let us know if you have any questions. We are here to help!

Rabbit Rescue will do the following:

Provide housing, a carrier, food dishes and water dishes as needed.
Book all vet appointments for foster rabbits and communicate with vets on treatment plans.
Cover vet costs when the bunny is brought to one of the vet clinics that works with Rabbit Rescue.
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 Google online group. Email is the best way to reach us.
In an emergency, if a foster home is unable to transport a rabbit to the vet, we will assist in finding transportation.

Responsibilities of the Foster Homes:

Provide food for the rabbit: Timothy hay, limited pellets (for adults), fresh vegetables daily. We will provide precise directions on feeding specific to each rabbit.
Provide an approved litter (see the FAQ section for types).
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.
Check your email at least twice each week to see if we have contacted you about a potential adopter.
Let us know of any vacations with as much notice as possible so that we can arrange for your rabbit to have an approved bunsitter while you are away. If you wish to use your own bunsitter, we will need to have this person’s contact information prior to your departure.
Meet with potential adopters and provide honest and detailed information about your foster animal.

FAQ for Foster Homes

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.

Acceptable foods:

Pellets – Please ONLY feed Martin’s Less Active (for adult rabbits) and Oxbow Bunny Basics/T. An average 5-7 lb rabbit should only be getting 1/4 cup daily. Do NOT feed food 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 1/wk. 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 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 cathedar tip, NOT leur lock, and come in 35ml and 60ml sizes).

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: What do I do if I think my foster rabbit is sick?

A: Immediately contact Haviva and Brittany. DO NOT wait to see if it will clear up on its own. Anytime you are concerned, you should let us know. It is better to overreact than wait and have the problem get worse. After contacting Haviva, she will advise you of the next steps and decide if a trip to the vet is in order. If your foster bunny sneezes a few times in a day contact Haviva and Brittany.

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.

*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 three vets for both regular appointments and emergency appointments.

Q: My foster rabbit stopped eating? What do I do?

A: Contact Haviva ASAP. Quite often, gas is the culprit for your rabbit not eating. Gas can be treated with Simethicone/oval found at any pharmacy. Please do NOT diagnose gas on your own. Not eating can also be related to dental issues, stasis or a host of other more serious conditions. We will advise you the next steps (either getting foster to vet or start treatment for gas).

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: 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.

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 the one of the adoption team members. 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.

RHDV & Foster Homes at Rabbit Rescue

On June 10, 2022, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported two cases of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus-2 (RHDV2) in a household of domestic companion rabbits in Lambton County. In response, Rabbit Rescue has put together a web page on RHDV, including how to maintain quarantine in your home. 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