Rehoming Your Rabbit

Are you in a circumstance where you need to rehome your rabbit? It’s important to understand your options so you can make the best choice for you and your rabbit. Many issues people face that lead them to consider rehoming their rabbit can be resolved with the right information and advice. Below is a list of some of the common reasons people rehome their rabbits and possible solutions.

We understand every situation is unique. Rabbit Rescue has successfully helped many owners who are struggling to keep their rabbit in their home by offering guidance and support. Before making the permanent decision to rehome your rabbit, first reach out to see if we can assist you with keeping your rabbit and addressing any issues you are experiencing.

Is your rabbit exhibiting unmanageable behaviours?

There are many different options to change your situation and to help you and your bunny understand each other. Some options include spaying/neutering, changing the housing/environment, learning how to read your rabbit’s cues, and more. We can work with you to change the habitat, litter train, and bunny proof your home. Behaviours that are tied to hormones include marking territory, biting, and mating behaviours. Getting your rabbit spayed or neutered helps to manage these behaviours. Providing toys and safe materials to divert your bunny’s attention can curb chewing. We can help you find a remedy for your rabbit’s behaviour.

Are you moving?

Look for apartments and houses that allow pets. If you have already signed a lease, you can talk to the landlords and explain how quiet, clean, and friendly your rabbit is. Your bunny is a part of your family, so try to find a home for all of you.

Note: depending on where you live, a ‘no pets’ clause in a lease may not be legal. Look up your local Residential Tenancies Act to know your rights before rehoming your rabbit. In Ontario, a landlord cannot legally prohibit pets in a rental unit. Any clause in a lease agreement that prohibits pets is void and unenforceable. However, landlords can refuse to rent to someone with a pet before a lease agreement is signed

Are you experiencing allergies?

There are many ways to decrease allergy symptoms. You may be allergic to the rabbit or, to the hay they eat. Try switching hay types to a hay alternative like Oat or Orchard (not alfalfa for adult rabbits). Store hay in a closet in a sealed container. Have someone else give out the hay and change the litter boxes. Wear gloves when giving hay and wash your hands/arms immediately after. If you are allergic to your rabbit’s fur, designate a room for the rabbit and declare the rest of your home “fur free”. You can also invest in air purifiers (we recommend Hepa filters) and investigate allergy medications.

Rehoming Options

Do not set your rabbit loose outside!

Pet rabbits are not wild rabbits. They are dependent on humans for survival and will not survive outside. They lack instincts and physical characteristics of wild rabbits. They are frequently killed by exposure, predators, cars, or hunger/thirst. This is a cruel fate for your beloved pet. It is illegal to set your pet rabbit ‘free’ outside.

Remember that once your rabbit is given to someone else, you have absolutely no control over how he or she will be treated in the future. Be very careful as you decide your rabbit’s fate. It is always recommended to screen anyone interested in your rabbit and charging a rehoming fee.

You have several rehoming options:

1. Find a new home for your bunny on your own.

It is crucial to start early on the process of rehoming your rabbit as it can take time. Have a clear plan and be patient to find the right fit. Consider having your rabbit spayed/neutered and vaccinated as that makes them a more desirable pet to a potential new home. The best home is with someone you know and trust, so spread the word among family, friends and coworkers. There are rehoming groups on online platforms like Facebook where you can post photos and information about your rabbit to potential new homes. It’s important to remember that if you rehome your rabbit to someone you don’t know, you lose all control over its fate.

Charge an adoption fee when rehoming your rabbit. This can rule out people who don’t have an animal’s best interest in mind. People looking for free rabbits may want to use the rabbit as snake or people food or may not be able to afford veterinary care should the rabbit become ill. You can always choose to waive the fee if you meet and feel comfortable with the person. Or you can ask that they donate to their favorite charity in lieu of giving you the money, often people are more comfortable with that. Include your rabbit’s personal items including housing, food dishes, blankets, toys etc. to help your rabbit have a smoother transition. Screen any individuals who are interested in your rabbit. Ask a lot of questions about what they will feed the rabbit, what will be used for litter, if they will take the rabbit to the vet, and where the rabbit will spend their days and nights. Is the rabbit going as a pet for a young child? Go with your instincts; if you think it will not be an appropriate home, you are probably right! All of this will add up to successfully finding a safe home for your rabbit.

2. Take your rabbit to the local humane shelter.

If you are unable to rehome your rabbit yourself, you can contact your local humane shelter about placement. This does give your rabbit a chance at being adopted, but please be aware that your bunny may not fare well in a shelter environment. You have no control over your rabbit if you do surrender to a shelter. Look into several local shelters and their adoption policies, including their policies about euthanizing animals. Often rabbits are kept for years at shelters without ever coming out of their cages. Due to the sheer volume of rabbits some shelters receive may only keep new rabbits for a few days until they must euthanize them to make room for more. Some low kill shelters have a waiting list you can get on. You can also talk to your local pet supply store or vet and see if they would be willing to take in your rabbit and have them on display for adoption.

3. Rehome your rabbit through Rabbit Rescue

Rabbit Rescue is a foster home-based organization. We primarily work with shelters that are full or over capacity to take last chance rabbits that are scheduled for euthanasia due to overcrowding and bring them into foster care. We are always full and have a long waitlist of rabbits that need urgent assistance. Because of this, we are unable to take many owner surrenders into foster care. However, we can help through Direct Adoption. In this scenario, you would keep the rabbit in your care while we help find an adoptive home for your rabbit. In this scenario, after completing the surrender requirements, we would post your rabbit as available for adoption through the rescue on our website, social media and Petfinder, and screen any potential applications the same way we would for a rabbit in foster care. During this time, you would still be responsible for your rabbit, including keeping them physically in your care and providing them all food, supplies, vetting as required etc. If your rabbit is not spayed/neutered or vaccinated, Rabbit Rescue would arrange that prior to them going to their forever home.

For more information on rehoming your rabbit through Rabbit Rescue, or for advice on keeping your rabbit in your home, email Brittany at brittany@rabbitrescue.ca. Please include a photo of your rabbit as well as your rabbit’s name, age, gender, health status, if they are spayed/neutered, if they are vaccinated against RHDV, and the reason for surrender.