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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A A few questions about adopting?

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    • hunbun1011
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        Hello everyone, it is very nice to be a part of this wonderful forum!

        A little bit about me: I am a minor, living in Michigan. I have 1 dog, a mutt (brittany/spaniel mix), who our family rescued 6 years ago. She is an absolute sweetheart!

        Now, onto my questions-

        First of all, I have heard conflicting information about having minors care for a rabbit. But, most information sounds as though it is talking about younger children. I was wondering what your opinion was on this topic. I am a teen, not a young child, and am very responsible. I always get all A’s and stay up on my studies. I have had rats in the past., but am looking for something a bit bigger and with a longer lifespan. Of course, my parents would always take care of the rabbit if there was a rare situation where I were to stop being responsible for it or go off somewhere. They always fall in love with animals. I have no after school activities and have lots of free time after school. I have been extensively researching rabbits for about 2 yrs. I know what supplies it needs (cage, toys, litterboxes, water/food dishes, etc.) proper diet, and health problems they may encounter. I have about $2,000 saved up from doing small jobs over past summers (and being able to not buy little things I may want). If I were to run into a money issue, say with expensive surgery, my parents would have no problem helping me out. 

        This then leads into my next question, which pertains to adopting. As stated, I am a minor, and know my parents would be legally responsible for any pet I get. My question concerns such questions as who will be the primary caretaker, and are you adopting this pet for a child? I would assume the answers to this question would be yes, but not sure exactly what they mean. I would do most if not all of the care, unless the situation stated above occurred, which then my parents would take care of the rabbit. I am just nervous that no one would adopt to my family under these conditions. 

        I really want to adopt, as there are so many rabbits in shelters. Not to mention the rabbits already being spayed and neutered. I would also like to adopt an older adult rabbit. Baby bunnies are cute, but not quite sure I want to go through the juvenile stage, especially as a first-timer.

        Thank you for reading this and thanks in advance for any answers/advice. 


      • Monkeybun
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          There are a few things to think on. The adult would need to be the main caretaker for most rescues to adopt out a pet. Not just because of younger kids, but older ones too.. older kids often get distracted or busy and can forget about the pet.. not saying it will happen with you, it is just a common occurrence.

          And also, think of where you will be in 5 or so years. Will you be at college? A lot of colleges do not allow pets in dorms, so your bunny will have to stay at home with the parents. Are they okay with that, and willing to care for them?

          That said, by the sounds of it, your parents are on board with the idea, so I don’t think the rescue would disapprove. Just make sure you know what the plans are later on


        • Deleted User
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            Hi hunbun1011 – just have to throw in, hunbun is my hubby’s knickname for me, ha ha hah! How cool! Anyhow…. YOU and your family sound awesome! I’m sure the bunny shelter will fall over themselves to rehome a bunny with you, (or they should, again – Wow, you sound wonderful!).
            But I do get and agree with Monkeybun re; how will your lifestyle in 5 years impact your bun? Again, not suggesting for a moment you will fall into that category, but some do – and my youngest son (now 21) is my first hand experience. At the age of 12 we bought him a dog (Frank, now 9) and even though younger son works (earns his own money) and is a good kid – for all his “this is MY dog Frank”, he has never contributed to his costs, and as the years slowly went by, he now doesn’t contribute to his daily care. His ‘life’ got in the way?!?! And wonders why we say when he moves out Frank isn’t going with him! Ha ha hah! So, if your parents are open to that scenario on the chance that it may happen – you/your family adopting a bun sounds great! Cheers hunbun1011 (Lol, I feel like I just said goodbye to myself…..).


          • hunbun1011
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              Thank you both AndHenry and MonkeyBun! Both your guys’ buns are adorable by the way!

              Yes, we have considered that situation, and I had a serious talk with them about how they would ultimately have to be responsible for taking care of the bunny if I went away to college. They were fine with it, as I think they really want a rabbit too.


            • BunnyRabbitMania
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                Some things you might want to think about is to consider your age vs the lifespan of rabbits. Which, being that you mentioned being a teen, I assume your around 13-15 or possibly slightly older. What is going to happen when you go to collage? Whats going to happen to your bunny(s)? Good collages that allows pets is hard to come-by. So, lets say your 14 and you get a 4 year old rabbit. When you go to collage, the rabbit will be about 8-9 years old, which is close to end of their lifespan. So getting an older rabbit(s) is defiantly the way to go. Your bunnies are going to be with you for a long time with their growing lifespans. Some say they can live up to 15 years! So, the real question is, were will you be in the next…. 5 years? If collage is the answer, you might want to think about whats going to happen to your rabbits!

                When adopting, Your parents are probably going to have to sign of as primary care taker. This doesn’t mean you can’t be the primary care taker. I wouldn’t worry about this because it isn’t a big deal. 

                Another thing you mentioned is the amount of money you have saved up, I think you have enough, just might take a look at this.
                Cage: $60.00
                Adoption Fee (1 Rabbit): $20-$50+
                Spay Fee: $125-$300
                Neuter Fee: $50-$150+
                Supplies: $100+
                Monthly Fees: Can be up to $80 dollars or more. (Litter, Feed, new supplies…)

                Already spayed or/and neutered rabbits are extremely hard to come by so I would consider doing it yourself. Considering what you have saved up, this shouldn’t be a issue.


              • hunbun1011
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                  Thank you BunnyRabbitMania!

                  All of the rabbits in the rescues near me are all spayed/neutered, so no worries there! It is only a $80-$90 adoption fee for a fixed rabbit too!


                • Monkeybun
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                    I wouldn’t necessarily say already spayed and neutered buns are hard to come by, BRM, it just depends on the area you are in. Here in Oregon, for example, there’s quite a few rescues that only adopt out rabbits already altered. And there’s at least 60 rabbits I can think of off the top of my head waiting for homes, with more that I haven’t seen yet


                  • LBJ10
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                      It sounds like your parents really want a bunny too. That is great! As long as they understand (and you as well) that it may no longer be “your” rabbit if you leave for college, then I don’t think there will be any problems.

                      I remember having to leave my cat behind. My parents would have never let him go though. They loved him and he was “my” cat, but he belonged in the house he had been living in with my parents.


                    • niniliefie
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                        That is the reality! I got my “mut”(almost 11 now) on my sweet 16 from a boy I adored, but when I went to university, she stayed with mom. Now I’m the loving “aunti” and even though she freaks out when she hears my car locking(beep beep) she doesn’t want to spend a night away from my mom(the 2 old ladies just adore each other) hahaha


                      • Beka27
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                          I would approach the rescue, not as YOU adopting a rabbit, but the FAMILY adopting a rabbit b/c it does sound like he/she is intended as a family pet.

                          You’ve obviously done your research! That’s great!


                        • Tessie
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                            I agree with Beka, look at it as a family pet


                          • rayray
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                              It sounds like you and your family have done your research. And I agree, this should be considered a “family” pet with the shelter. I’m not sure where you live, but in my area, our Humane Society spay/neuters all animals that come into their care. Mine also does basic litter training with them before they are adopted out.
                              I know exactly what you mean about adopting an adult rabbit. My Ziggy is 2years old when I got him. He was fully trained and was a pretty good boy. I only say “was” because he was not neutered and he started marking with urine and poops. lol! He was neutered just last week and so far it’s been smooth sailing. Fingers crossed.
                              All the best and be sure to post pics if you do decide to get a rabbit!!


                            • hunbun1011
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                                Thank you all so much for all of your advice and help! It is greatly appreciated!

                                Yes, it will probably be more a family pet in terms of loving and caring for it.

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                            Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A A few questions about adopting?