Rabbit Rescue Seems Disapproved?

[Starla]

So i contacted a local rabbit rescue about getting a companion for my rabbit. I was saying how I think my cage is only big enough for 2 rabbits but I wished I could rescue two (The person said that 2 males wanted a companion). Any who they responded this “Oh goodness probably a bad time to tell you that cages are extremely expensive and horrible for long term living as it can cause them to become cage aggressive”.

I have a 48 inch 3 story petwerks cage, this means each level is 8 square feet. I recently got a exercise pen to add to the cage when I’m not home. I let my rabbit free roam when I’m home. But I wanted to add this exercise pen to the cage when I’m not home. My rabbit seemed scared of the exercise pen because of the noise (I’m guessing). She was stomping and making a grunt noise. The person replied and said that my rabbit was probably mad not scared because I enclosed her more than she is used to. Which I find silly. The only reason I got the exercise pen is for when I’M NOT HOME. The attitude kind of just threw me off. It at times, seemed like this person didn’t read my entire message. Like I want to rescue a rabbit from your care. Not to be self centered, but I think I’m a great rabbit owner and I know everything I need to know or can know. I’ve educated myself with all my spare time which has been a lot with college classes ending for the semester. The person sent me a bunch of materials to learn more but I looked at it and I know it all?? Not being self centered again. But I almost feel that this rescue is too strict? I feel I could pass any test about house rabbits if needed. (LITERALLY)

 I spent more than $500 on a huge cage that totals to about 24 square feet with the levels and just because my rabbit was scared of the noise of a dog play pen they make me feel like a bad person? My rabbit loves this cage way more than her baby gate cage and I can tell because her attitude and her movement. She never moved her baby gate cage and in her new cage everything she needs is on the first level so she doesn’t have to move in her new cage if she didn’t want to.

This rescue requires you to foster before you adopt and they also want someone to come to your home to see their living area and still charge $65 to adopt. Which other rescues charge less in my area. I just wanted to adopt a rabbit from here because they say they have too many. I hate to bash this place, that’s why I won’t mention the name.

Anywho am I the bad person, is this rescue too strict, or is their miss communication?!

I literally will die for rabbit, and have spent many paychecks on her and would do the same for any new family member (pet).

[Mikey]

Your rabbit could be mad that you expanded her space “too little” for when you are not home. Of course she would prefer the whole house all the time instead, but bunnies dont understand that its not always possible. She will get used to the pen in time 

Roughly, your cage is about 24sqft total. Thats usually what is recommended for one rabbit if the rabbit spends the majority of their day in the cage rather than being out and about, depending on the rabbits size. With the pen and if your rabbit is a bit smaller, adding a second bunny shouldnt be a problem for that size of cage. But adding two more bunnies instead of just one could become cramped if they spend most of their day inside of the cage (depending on how often you are out of the house). Since they are levels, it is also a bit harder as its not 24sqft of running around space, but rather 8sqft in sections. Having 3 bunnies on one floor at a time would be cramped for sure

That said, i have 3 dwarf/mini bunnies (ranging from 1lbs to 3lbs) sharing a 24sqft cage currently. It has two levels (bottom 3ftx5ft and top 3ftx3ft, tall enough that all buns can stand tall and not reach the top). If your bun is small and you want to adopt one or two smaller buns, then it shouldnt be an issue. But if you have a medium or larger sized bun and want to adopt two more, it wouldnt be the best idea. Adopting one more should be fine, space wise, though, especially with the pen added

I think you and the person from the rescue had a miscommunication. You said she didnt read what you wrote, and a lot can be misread through text. You can try calling them or going in with pictures to give a clearly idea to them what you are talking about. If they still reject you without explaining why, i would go to one of the other rescues instead

Also a quick note, your rabbit and the new rabbit(s) you adopt cannot share the cage right off the bat. You will need a new cage for the rabbit(s) you adopt to stay in while you go through the bonding process

EDIT:
I also see on your page that your bunny is not yet spayed/neutered (also saw that your rabbit is a bigger bunny, so adopting 2 other bunnies of a similar weight and size into your cage space would be pretty cramped). Dont try to introduce any other rabbits until you get your current one spayed/neutered and allow a month or two for their hormones to drain. Unfixed rabbits are usually very territorial

[Starla]

Posted By Mikey on 1/04/2017 10:13 PM

Your rabbit could be mad that you expanded her space “too little” for when you are not home. Of course she would prefer the whole house all the time instead, but bunnies dont understand that its not always possible. She will get used to the pen in time 

Roughly, your cage is about 24sqft total. Thats usually what is recommended for one rabbit if the rabbit spends the majority of their day in the cage rather than being out and about, depending on the rabbits size. With the pen and if your rabbit is a bit smaller, adding a second bunny shouldnt be a problem for that size of cage. But adding two more bunnies instead of just one could become cramped if they spend most of their day inside of the cage (depending on how often you are out of the house). Since they are levels, it is also a bit harder as its not 24sqft of running around space, but rather 8sqft in sections. Having 3 bunnies on one floor at a time would be cramped for sure

That said, i have 3 dwarf/mini bunnies (ranging from 1lbs to 3lbs) sharing a 24sqft cage currently. It has two levels (bottom 3ftx5ft and top 3ftx3ft, tall enough that all buns can stand tall and not reach the top). If your bun is small and you want to adopt one or two smaller buns, then it shouldnt be an issue. But if you have a medium or larger sized bun and want to adopt two more, it wouldnt be the best idea. Adopting one more should be fine, space wise, though, especially with the pen added

I think you and the person from the rescue had a miscommunication. You said she didnt read what you wrote, and a lot can be misread through text. You can try calling them or going in with pictures to give a clearly idea to them what you are talking about. If they still reject you without explaining why, i would go to one of the other rescues instead

Also a quick note, your rabbit and the new rabbit(s) you adopt cannot share the cage right off the bat. You will need a new cage for the rabbit(s) you adopt to stay in while you go through the bonding process

EDIT:
I also see on your page that your bunny is not yet spayed/neutered (also saw that your rabbit is a bigger bunny, so adopting 2 other bunnies of a similar weight and size into your cage space would be pretty cramped). Dont try to introduce any other rabbits until you get your current one spayed/neutered and allow a month or two for their hormones to drain. Unfixed rabbits are usually very territorial

We already discussed about spaying. I won’t ever get another rabbit without spaying mine beforehand. This was already discussed. I only am getting one. I won’t get two because no I just can’t. It was just a wish when she said two males wanted a companion. 

I figured it was miss communication. I am aware of the bonding process and I have baby gates and the x pen to help with the bonding situation. My baby girl is big and that’s why I only will or can get one. (Getting two was more like if I could every homeless bunny in the world I would but I can’t). Thank you for the comment. It felt like she/he didn’t read it because of the same topics coming up. Thank you again! 

[Starla]

With the pen she has 48 square feet, probably more. (Cage plus x pen space ) I got the largest size of x pen ($70) and yes it’s extremely secure so can not accidents happen !!

[Mikey]

I would go in with pictures then and see if they have any single buns they would be willing to adopt out, after your little lady is spayed That way there is no chance for any miscommunications regarding the cage and pen size

[Bam]

This could be about miscommunication. Sometimes rescuers are a bit overly protective of the animals. They should be protective of course, but not so much so that they scare off good potential bunny owners.

Pictures is a good idea. I have an instagram bunny-and-dog account that people can look at if they want to know how my animals’ daily lives are.

You could try again with them, if you still can’t get your message across, I’d choose another rescue.

[hrose123]

The rescue I got my rabbit from acted sort of the same way until I actually went to the “bunny barn” and looked at rabbits and showed them (especially the rescue owner) that I was serious about adopting. It turns out it’s just a front they put on to scare off not so serious people who don’t realize how much work owning a rabbit actually is. They probably just want to be extra sure their rabbits are going to good homes and may just be using scare tactics like my local rescue does. So maybe if you just keep pushing on and just do what they say, hopefully their attitude towards you will change.

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