Vacation Help or advice

[Emma&Charlie]

So, this is something that we have been struggling with since we got our bunnies. We go on two vacations a year. One is usually only about a week and the other is about 3 weeks. We have the two bunnies who are brother and sister who share a two story cage in our livingroom. I love them to death and we have had them since they were 6 weeks old but I cannot give up family vacations. I have no idea what is the best thing to do with them for trips like this. The week long one we will be with our local family so they cant watch or help with them, especially seeing as they really need minimum one check a day or more. Since we take them to the local small animal vet clinic for their veterenary care, they said they would be able to take them in for a short vacation, even possibly the 3 week vacation. I am very nervous about how this will be for them and would love some advice as we have not yet been away. They are only 6 months old right now and about 7 months when we go away soon. Anything I should do to make it easier on them would be great as I really dont want them to get too distressed or scared. Any tips or experiences?

[Azerane]

The other option is to hire a pet sitter, while not for everyone I think it’s the best option for bunnies (or all pets really) because they can stay in the comfort of their own home, don’t have the stress of new surroundings but still get checked on once or twice a day, fed etc. That being said, I have also boarded my rabbit in the past with a lady that runs a rabbit rescue when I couldn’t get a sitter.

[Emma&Charlie]

Here in Germany, I dont think we have things like that for bunnies. I asked about it when I was at the clinic and she said she has never heard of anything like that for bunnies, only cats and dogs. If I had anyone here locally I could trust to come in and out of my home like that (especially for the 3 week trips) and to be able to care for the bunnies I could try that, but sadly being in a foreign country where most of my friends are farther away makes that pretty hard. Neighbors here in Germany are not quite the same thing, at least in my area, as you can have in certain areas of the USA. So, I feel like this is the one downside to our bunnies. I hate the stress of having to worry about them with no good options for their care, but I cant realistically see staying home from all family vacations for the next 5-10 years either. They really should have more options here given how much people travel in Europe but I guess most people know more people who can help out than we do!

[Love4Bunny]

I’m sorry that it’s so difficult to find a rabbit sitter. I know how it feels because I’ve had to search and search for pet sitters, even with my circle of friends, because none of my in-laws could help out. If you have several community groups in your circle (like a religious group, parents of kids who attend your kids school – if applicable, hobby-type groups, etc), I would reach out to them, or see if they have trusted friends who could help you. I know people in my local dog park who have offered their services for dog-sitting, so that’s another option, if you have those types of community dynamics in your neck of the woods.

[Vienna Blue in France]

I know too – its always such a thing to ask people – there must be a petsitter somewhere – all you need is someone trustworthy who loves animals ! Easy ! HAH!
I def go for the stay at home option for my cat and rabbit – dog would go elsewhere.
Though I have been known to pack up bun and cages and xpens and food bowls and and and and (!!) and set up at a friends place…. it’s fine and not stressful for bun, but SOOO much work !

In a crisis I had to ask a neighbour to do it – one that other neighbours used, (my usual neighbours were away) but one that I didn’t really want to ‘owe’ anything – sounds stupid but our pride comes into it a lot –
As it happens it went fine, my house wasn’t set alight and my identity wasn’t stolen – So what if they have a good look at photos on your fridge or CDs in your cabinets – but i like a nose around too – only healthily though and certainly with NO touching… but hey that’s human curiosity !
I always prefer to ask neighbours who have animals too as it can be a give and take situation – one summer years ago, I had keys to 4 peoples houses as their kittys needed feeding !
People like to feel needed somehow – and a box of chocolates or biscuits makes all the difference – you never there may just be a nice neighbour not far away who could be your next best friend !!

But it is def something that needs planning – ask a neighbour around for a cup of tea, and go from there.

[Emma&Charlie]

Thanks, That did give me an idea. We do have a neighbor with cats and one rabbit (who dug a large hole in our garden last fall). We dont know them well but we have known them in passing for a few years at least and they just live two doors down from us. They must have some idea about rabbits, having on themselves, though theirs is outdoor I think. I am going to ask hubby what he would think about asking them to walk over and check on the bunnies 1-2 times a day while we are gone if his parents are not around to do it.

My biggest concern is for the longer trip as that would be 3 weeks away. I dont really feel the best about asking them to transfer the bunnies at all seeing as they really dont like to be transfered anyways. I also feel bad about asking them to do much cleaning. I am wondering if, before we go, we should move the dinning room table to make a larger playpen that they can access? Even that is risky though given our little boys ability to jump and get out of things. Will they be ok for 3 weeks in their two story cage with light cleaning (litter box basically). So stressful!

[Theodorusrex]

I totally understand your frustration – I’m headed to the States (I live in Ireland) for over 2 weeks in June and we found it so stressful to find someone/somewhere to look after Theo. Ideally, I’d want to keep him at home and have a sitter but they don’t really exist in Ireland and it’s a long time to ask a friend to check on him. We ended up finding a ‘kennels’ which specialises in rabbits and guinea pigs – Theo stayed for the weekend as a ‘trial’ and he got on okay. He thumped when we dropped him off which broke my heart but the owner said he settled in okay, and ate like a horse (thats our theo haha). He gets more attention there than he would with a sitter and we were allowed to bring his own litter tray and toys which helped him settle. The owner has 6ft by 4ft pens for the bunnies.

If you could find somewhere like that in Germany it would be an option? Not ideal but it was the best we could manage – and we travel 1h30 to get there as there’s nowhere closer.

[Vienna Blue in France]

I certainly would make 110% sure that Emma & Charlie could NOT get out when YOU’re not there to put them back in – that would be a petsitters nightmare !!

I think its fine if they are contained for 2-3 weeks – they just may have the hump with you when you get back and not “talk” to you for a few days !! LOL
(I’m thinking of our old cat – VERY happy to see us immediately on our arrival home, and then would turn head swiftly as if to say – NOW I shall make you pay for that and walked off meaningfully !!!)
Ideally someone who knows rabbits would be better, as they won’t be ‘shocked’ by the amount of poos they’d have to clear up…. or second best is someone who simply loves and respects animals.

I’ve just sent a note to 6 of my neighbours (we live in terraced houses) to invite them round for drinks in the garden – we hardly know each other and its ridiculous seeing as we live within metres of each other…. atleast I’ll get to know their names! Maybe I’ll find a petsitter amongst them

You could try the same.

Invite them around saying it is about time you all go to know each other a bit better – and then try and slip in the ‘am going away and have to transport ALL the buns stuff.. bla bla bla….” See if they offer their help

[Emma&Charlie]

That is a lovely suggestion but it would work horribly in that sense in my neighborhood. I have a tiny garden full of kids toys and nowhere in the house which would hold all the neighbors. They are also all much much older, mostly none with children etc. In the area of Germany where we live (at least) people dont even smile at you when you walk by. I once went door to door to ask if it would be ok for my child to ring their bells for halloween and many didnt open the door or seemed really upset by being bothered. So, in all honesty, there are very few who I would want to invite into my home lol. I do plan to ask my one neighbor about the week trip and beg my inlaws to do it for the 3 week trip. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to take them to the animal clinic to stay there for trips and hope that they like it and do well. Cross your fingers!

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