Older rabbit looking for a new home

[P3smom]

 

I have an older bunny — he’s 9 yrs old – for whom I need to find a new home.  We’ve been together since he was 11 weeks old, but I’m making an interstate move, and at his age, I don’t want to put him thru the stress of moving with me.

I don’t want to put him up for adoption at a shelter, since he has some special needs now that he’s older, and I’m concerned as well about how he’ll adapt to new surroundings and new people.  I want to find the best home that I can for him, so I’m looking for a home that’s very experienced in caring for rabbits and particularly with older buns.  My litte guy is in good health generally, but at his age, he has trouble cleaning and grooming himself, which means brushing him and giving him occasional baths to keep his hind end clean.  Since he trusts me, he’s very tolerant of anything that I need to do to him.  It may take him a while to get used to someone else doing those things for him, though.   

He is litter-trained, but as he’s gotten older, his litter habits are slipping a bit and are not as good as they used to be.  

I always thought that he would be a good candidate to be bonded with another bunny, so if you’re looking for a mate, my little guy just might fit the bill.  He’s been neutered, so no problem with bonding him with a little girl.  I think bonding with another bunny would help him with the transition to a new home as well. 

He still has a very good appetite and loves his veggies and hay and occasional treats.  He also has lots of toys and things to chew and enjoys those as well.  If you put a paper bag on the floor for him, he’ll play inside it for hours !  

He’s a good boy and very loving.  He loves to be petted, but he’s not really the cuddly type.  He’ll tolerate being held, but only for a limited time and then he wants to get down.  He does love kisses, though — I kiss him on the side of the nose and the top of the head, and he just loves it !!  He’s definitely not a biter. 

He’s a smaller bunny – about 6.5 lbs, and he’s all black except for a small white spot on his chin, and on one toe of his right foot.   He’s a mixed breed — mom was a Satin and dad was a Dwarf Hotot. 

If you think you might be interested in giving my boy a home, or know someone who might take him in, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  I want the best outcome for him that I can possibly find, and there is absolutely no way I would leave him in a shelter !  

So, PLEASE, if you can help, let me know !! 

FYI, I live in Massachusetts, about 25-30 miles west of the Boston area.

Thanks in advance.

[Sarita]

I think he would be better off staying with you. I understand your concern about the interstate move but I think he would be fine in the move as long as you take some precautions on the drive to your new home.

[RabbitPam]

I agree. I have moved several times with my first bunny, Spockie. He was 7 when we moved into my last apartment. I think it would break his heart to lose you at this age, and with his needs, you are the best person to care for him. As an older bunny, he really doesn’t need as much playtime – just comfortable surroundings and your company and care. I urge you to make the trip with him. I am from Massachusetts and Spockie rode with me all the way to Florida when we moved. As long as his stuff was the same, and my basic routine with him was the same, he did extremely well. A new home is much more stressful than a move.

[kralspace]

Many members here have made long trips with their buns with no problems. After spending his whole life with you, I think losing his family would be a lot more stressful than a move.

Even if he wound up in another home, he still wouldn’t understand why you’re gone. And with his age and problems he might still wind up in a shelter like Lavender.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’ve made moves-and it’s quite easy-even the car ride.

I definitely think your bunny would be more stressed in a new home without you then a new home with you. If you need any tips for moving/travelling we can share!! Let us know what you decide to do.

[MooBunnay]

I can definitely understand the concern about moving, I also had the same concerns when moving my bunnies from LA to Dallas, but I did end up transporting 7 bunnies with me! They all did very well and love their new house. I would be concerned about re-homing an older bun, just because there isn’t really any way to be sure that the home that he gets in to wouldn’t end up re-homing him again, and then you would have no say in where he goes after that.

What I did for my trip was get some larger dog sizes carriers for my bunnies, and put towels in the bottom, and plenty of hay. I would also put a dish with just a little water in the bottom so it wouldn’t spill, and re-filled it a little bit at each stop. Then at night, we just kept the bunnies in the carrier since it was only 3 days of driving, and the carriers were pretty large.

The biggest thing to make sure is that if you stop anywhere, the bunny doesn’t stay in the hot car alone, most of the place we went we just did drive-thru for lunch, and then once we got the bunnies into the motel for the night we went out for dinner.

[Beka27]

I would recommend you keep him as well. It would be much more stressful to go to an entirely new home where nothing is familiar. Even when you move to another home, YOU will be the same, his stuff will be the same and he should adjust quickly.

[bunnytowne]

 I agree.   He would get depressed and may depart this world sooner over missing you and being confused.  

He should do fine with the car ride and the move.  He may settle in a whole lot faster than you think.   Being without you would be way more stressful 

I hope you take him with you.  

[wendyzski]

I travel with my bun all the time!  We drove to upstate new york this summer for a camping trip with other bunnies and we’re heading about 5 hours to cincinnatti in a few weeks for a visit.  She’s not really fond of it but loves exploring the new places.

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

Chubs traveled 7 hrs each way this summer when we left for 3 weeks. He stayed with kc those 3 weeks but at his parent’s hosue (while he visited). I was traveling further and with less stability so Kc took him. Chubs is not a fan of car rides but he did really well! We made sure he had his comforts and to keep him cool. It’s not their favorite thing but most bunnies can do just fine traveling if you take the proper precautions. I know I will be graduating college in December and in all liklihood I will be moving somewhere. I won’t be giving up my bunnies for anything!! Finding a place that allows me to keep them is in my top 3 requirements for my future job! No way jose would I give them up!

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