Why Is It So Hard?

[Buckley's Mum]

After months of deliberations, we have finally decided to adopt a bun-wife for Buckley.  We think he needs company.  He will sit for hours, literally, not moving (I can spy on him) but as soon as I enter the room and lay down on the floor he comes alive and becomes inquisitive, investigates me, runs around me, binkies and then goes exploring and playing with his toys but he only seems to do this when i’m with him.  Obviously I can’t be with him the whole time, even if I am in the house, so we think he would do better if he had permanent bun-company.

So, my quest started at the weekend, I would obviously like to adopt for numerous reasons, however, I went to a local rescue and after lots of form filling (I had no idea if they even had a suitable candidate at this point) I got turned down, my garden wasn’t rabbit-proof!  As I can’t pick Buckley up as it totally freaks him, how am I supposed to get him out into the garden??? He’s been once (in an x-pen) and it just wasn’t worth the stress of him being picked up.  So I’m being rejected that my garden isn’t rabbit-proof and it’s somewhere that Buckley does’t go?!?!?!?!  Okay, if the new bun allowed me to pick her up and I felt having a run in the garden was a good thing, then obviously I would make it happen.  Another rescue centre I contacted turned me down for the same thing as I couldn’t provide a secure outdoor 12′ x 6′ run!!!!  And another centre wouldn’t even consider me because Buckley hasn’t been altered yet, but as I don’t expect to find him a wife immediatey as I want to ensure I find a “nice” girl, I didn’t think this was a problem (he actually has a pre-op assessment next Monday)

Surely, the loving, safe home I am offering a bun that needs a forever home should outweigh the fact that I don’t have (at present) a suitable garden (what if I lived in a flat).  I feel that they are putting barriers in my way as if they don’t want to do the best for the rescue bun.

I’m just finding it very frustrating and hard work just trying to get past the paperwork.  Hubby says to just go to the pet shop and buy one where I won’t be given the third degree as to how I’m going to keep her, but that defeats the object, I would really rather rescue one, but it is proving almost too difficult.

Sorry for the rant, but I’m so frustrated with red tape!

[Roberta]

I don’t blame you for ranting…. Why should you have a rabbit proof garden for a house rabbit. Get Buckley sorted then start looking for a spayed female companion from another shelter. Bunspace has adoptables that aren’t mainstream, also try the HRS.

[Buckley's Mum]

LOL – thanks Roberta, I would try Bunspace but I’m in the UK and as I’ve been rejected from a shelter that’s 20-30 miles away for being “too far” then I doubt I’d be able to get one shipped from the US – although it would probably be easier!
x

[Roberta]

Lol Bunspace is international. I even put my babies up there… They have a huge UK membership. Just do a search under adoptables and put in UK.

[Beka27]

I can understand your application being put “on hold” until he is neutered. That makes sense because they want to make sure that he’s squared away. And really, you don’t want to proceed until he is fixed and has had some time to heal. Do the rescues you applied at adopt out all of their rabbits already spay/neutered?

Regarding the garden issue, can you contact the rescue “higher-ups” and explain the situation? Sometimes things are so black and white on the applications that they don’t allow for any elaboration.

[Sarita]

I agree with Beka…contact them again after the neuter and fully explain he is indoors only – not out in the garden at all. Also find out what does it mean for a garden to be rabbit proof – perhaps some easy modifications could be done…

[Beka27]

Also, do their adoptable bunnies have an outdoor run at the rescue? I can see them requiring this if all of their rabbits are used to having some outdoor time. What if you adopt a bunny who really, really loves her garden exploration? But like you said, if that were the case, that is something you could make accommodations for.

I know “garden time” is much more common in the UK than here in the US, so maybe you are in the minority in not taking your bun outside?

[LBJ10]

My buns don’t go outside. For people with house bunnies, I suppose that is pretty common here. That does seem a little silly that they would completely reject the application for that reason though. Is it really that mainstream there for people to have outdoor runs for their buns or bun-proof gardens? I would talk to someone higher up at the rescue. You could explain to them the situation and see if there is anything simple you can do to fix the problem. Otherwise (and I hate to suggest this) there may be some other reason they don’t want you to adopt from them and they are using that as an excuse.

[Buckley's Mum]

I’m sure some of what you all say is valid, I understand about neutering, but I wasn’t planning on taking the bun away immediately as I want to take my time to ensure I get the right personality for Buckley, so I would have (and am) got him neutred and waiting the appropriate time before pairing him up. Yes all rescue buns are spayed and vaccinated. If Buckley could go in the garden of course I would bunny-proof the garden, but quite frankly there is no way I’d be able to catch him if I let him loose in it. I’m just frustrated that I can’t give a bun a home that I’m sure would be better than living in a rescue, that bun will get lots of love and affection and will be as spoilt as Buckley, surely whatever I’m offering (even if it’s just indoors) is better than whatever she has now? :0(

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