Should I give my rabbits away?

[lifeasweknowit]

Well.. I’ve been on this forum for a few years but haven’t been on in a while, anyway I’m now a college student, and have decided to ultimately travel around the world as kind of a major step forward in my life.

Anyway, right now they are living with my mom, who takes care of them well but at the same time doesn’t really interact with them much… She gives them what they need but it’s not really “enough.” and plus, they live in an apartment so its just small compared to what they had before…They will be moving to a house soon once their lease is up, which is great, and if they do that, I’ll be coming down here to help them move.. and if we decide to keep them, I’ll make a big cage for them like I did before (I started a thread showing a picture of it, but that’s since been torn down cause i moved from there). I’m not sure how long I’ll be on the road for, probably about.. a year or 9 months. I’m not sure. maybe it’ll just be for a couple months, at this point I’m not sure.

Do you think I should find a better home for them? Or keep them even though they don’t really get all the attention they need? They get a lot of veggies and everyone likes them, but they are destructive.. typical. They usually play by themselves and just run around the apartment and have fun when we let them out which is everyday of course, and we give them veggies and treats as needed. I really love them, and I don’t want to give them away i want to live with them, but I’m not sure if I should forgo my whole life plan just to be with them.. My parents also have 2 dogs and a hedgehog who all get along (strangely – rabbits included). At the same time, I know they deserve more but i don’t know if i can find someone who can actually give them that not just stuff them in a cage and call it good and play with them when they remember (which sadly is pretty common). I definitely DONT have any plans of keeping them in this situation, its just temporarily they will have to live like this (but i don’t know how long it’ll be). 

I guess they live well with my parents, but it’s just not the same type of attention (to health, details, etc not only play) when I’m around.

Opinions? 

Oh and as an add, my life is a bit unstable in terms of living terms, as you can see with my parents lease ending and also me traveling. Buuuut.. I do WISH to have my own place, but again, when that could happen is a bit unsure. I wish I could put a time line on it.. but I can’t. but if I had to.. I would say maybe.. 2 years from now? more or less by some months.. would be my guess. 

[jerseygirl]

Mmm tough one. How do your parents feel about the thought of them going to a new home?

From your description, I think they are having their needs met, to be honest. They have the companionship of another bunny AND occasional companionship of dogs and hedgehog! That sounds adorable by the way. Any photos?

I guess my hesitation in rehoming them would be finding (and trusting!) a new owner. At least with your parents, you’re able to check in and see all is well. We sometimes hear stories of someone rehoming their rabbit to someone they thought would be suitable, only for it to turn out they didn’t provide the home they said they would. This even happens with just pet sitting. So you would have to be very confident about the person they go to and ideally, keep in contact.

[Love4Bunny]

Jerseygirl has said it all, really, but I want to second that. I agree that your rabbits are in good care, despite the uncertainty of your situation. However, you don’t have to decide right now. The main thing is that it seems your parents are happy to keep the bunnies, right? And they can take care of a hedgehog, which I’ve heard, is not as wonderful as it sounds. They’re used to exotics, and likely know the specialty care to keep these animals alive and content , which sadly, is more than most. I think about what would happen to my rabbits if I died. I wouldn’t trust my husband and I’ve told him this – he doesn’t have the patience. But I do know a few people who would be a better fit for my babies (hubby knows who)… however, they are people I am acquainted with, and not strangers. I know they have the heart to take care of small animals. That’s how I would choose a bunny owner for my babies

[Paradigm]

If your parents are happy to keep them, then it sounds like the rabbits are well looked after. I’d keep them – but ultimately it’s up to you.

They’ll be absolutely fine without human affection provided their needs are met because they have constant companionship from their bonded mate and also companionship of two dogs and a hedgehog!

If it was a single bun and they weren’t getting attention, my answer would be different.

[flemishwhite]

Posted By lifeasweknowit on 8/09/2016 9:56 PM

Do you think I should find a better home for them? Or keep them even though they don’t really get all the attention they need? They get a lot of veggies and everyone likes them, but they are destructive.. typical. They usually play by themselves and just run around the apartment and have fun when we let them out which is everyday of course, and we give them veggies and treats as needed. 

 

My wife and I are clocking about 12 years living with house rabbits. Our rabbits are free ranging in the house and are not ever caged.  We have had chewing problems however.  Our two now Flemish Giant rabbits caused a lot of chewing problems in the house as they progressed through the 4 months, 5 months, 6 months ages.  We had them neutered…which you should do for girl bunnies. They are now 11 months old.  They have excellent litter box manners.  They no longer have a chewing problem….they do their chomping with oat hay.  They eat a lot of oat hay, and from my previous Bunny, I know that oat hay helps wear their teeth down.  We feed them all the green veggies they want to eat, pellets also, treats, but being bunnies they just really like their oat hay.

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