Adopting a senior rabbit?

[CooperLop]

I haven’t been around in awhile, but about a month ago I lost my precious boy, Cooper. It’s been a very hard loss on our family, he was a really special guy.

I feel like I’ve healed enough to consider a new friend for my remaining rabbit, Chester. He’s a 1.5 yr old 7lb+ mix of who knows what who will do anything for treats. He’s super friendly and curious but very well behaved and extremely clean with his litter box habits. He loved grooming Cooper and cuddling when they were together.

Anyway, there’s a 5.5 yr old gal at the same shelter I got Chester from who I swear could be his sister, they look so similar. The last time I saw her I wasn’t looking to adopt so I don’t know much about her. Right now I’m torn, I hate that she’s sitting there waiting for a home for over a month now, but I worry about getting a rabbit that is entering seniorhood. It’s so hard dealing with the sudden illnesses of rabbits that can take them from us too soon that it’s hard to imagine adopting a rabbit that has 4 years less life expectancy.

So given my situation, and knowing that I have young kids who are heartbroken at losing 2 rabbits in the past 6 months, would you consider an older rabbit?

[CooperLop]

And the beautiful girl making me reconsider everything I thought I knew I wanted:

http://www.petango.com/webservices/adoptablesearch/wsAdoptableAnimalDetails.aspx?id=28013357

[HotCrossBuns]

I say go for it! I currently have a 12 year old. She could potentially have at least 6-7 more years left in her. If you feel she is special than I would definitely go meet her and maybe take Chester on a bunny date

[Sarita]

She’s beautiful – not quite yet actually a senior and she could have many more years left and more if she gets adopted to a good home.

[BarbaraC]

I second everyone’s opinion. Shelters rarely know exactly how old a bunny is unless they were born there.

Also, there are no guarantees even with a younger bunny. Last September we lost our senior bunny and a month later adopted a 4 month old little girl. I thought I would be sparing my kids the ordeal of losing another bunny by adopting a young rabbit. 6 months later we lost Lily to E. Cuniculi. Less than a month later we adopted Finnegan who is somewhere around 3-5 years old. This time I thought that if something was going to go wrong it would have most likely already presented itself. Within a month of having him home I was back at the ER. This time it was for liver torsion. Fortunately, Finn’s story has a happy ending and he made a full recover. We have since adopted another bunny, 10 month old Fiona, to bond with Finn.

When you meet the right bunny you know. Go with your gut.

[CooperLop]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ve been back and forth for days. I know she might not be the right match until we do a bunny date, but I want to be sure I’m willing to commit to her before they meet so that if Chester likes her I will be 100% on board.

[jerseygirl]

I am so sad to learn about Cooper. He was so sweet and I remember how quickly he and Chester became friends. I’m sorry for your loss.

Have you gone in to meet the bunny you are considering?

[CooperLop]

Thanks jerseygirl, Cooper was one of a kind for sure. I have seen the girl bun a couple times at the shelter but haven’t asked to spend time with her, just a saw her in her cage. I almost went yesterday and then that fear of losing another rabbit too soon grabs a hold of me (I actually had myself talked into getting a cat for Chester instead but my husband is completely against cats).

Cooper was only 4-5yrs old and after having him for 2 years I really believed we’d have him for another 5+ years. It’s so hard having a pet that’s known for hiding illness until it’s too late.

[Gina.Jenny]

I have recently taken on two six month old rescue girls, but only cos they chose me. If I were to look to adopt from a rescue, at some point in the future, I would look for a slightly older animal, or older pair.

Firstly cos age is no surety of how long he or she will have. I just lost a rabbit who would have been two in Sept, he went from seeming to be totally healthy to gone in only a few days, leaving me, and both my sons, devastated.

Secondly, cos older buns maybe find it less easy to be rehomed, as many people do prefer cute youngsters.

Seeing how Chester is with her will probably be the best way to decide though. One of the two I’ve rescued thankfully took an instant liking to my surving boy bun, whereas the other just wants to fight everybunny.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry to hear of the loss of Cooper.

I hope you are able to open your heart and home to this bun. And I agree that 5.5 years old is not that old. I have 2 8 year old that are still going strong. You can’t predict when a bun is going to pass. I’ve lost seniors and I’ve lost a baby bun. I see bunnies quite often on my rabbit FB group that are 11 or 12 years old. I know it’s hard when you don’t want to face losing another but think of how much joy you will be giving this new bun (and your current bun too).

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