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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum RESCUE EFFORTS FOR SHELTERS My Poor Bun Bun

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    • Dinah
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        Hey, I’m new to this forum. I was wondering if I can get some help or advice about my bunny and the situation I’ve got right now. I’ve always wanted a bunny but my mother always told me it’s too much responsibility. As a graduation gift last summer, she surprised me and brought a baby bunny home. Now the bunny’s huge but that’s not the problem. She’s super sweet and deserves a home where she’ll get plenty of love and attention. I’m most likely going away to start vet school this fall. A rabbit is too much work for my parents to take care of on their own (we’ve already got three cats, a dog, and a bird. I live in New York City… Queens to be exact. I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice on what I can do with my sweet baby. Unless there’s anyone interested. I’m worried about giving her to just anyone who’s not had any rabbit experience before. I work at an animal hospital so I’m looking around. In the meantime, any help or advice would be great! Thanks!


      • FiveBunsMom
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        12 posts Send Private Message

          Hi Bela

          Does the vets office you work at provide services for rabbits as well? If so that sounds like a great place to start. If not see if your vet has an associate who does, then perhaps you can let them know you are looking for a home and maybe they will have a bulletin board there?

          I am sorry you have to get rid of your baby….I have ended up with a few of mine because owners had to move or just couldn’t take care of them anymore. You are right they are lots of work.  Hope you don’t live close to me  …I am a sucker for a homeless bunny,

          If worse comes to worse you can check out the rescue or foster shelters, or if you have to put her in the paper or site, make sure you charge a decent rehoming fee,  most people who are impulsively buying or looking for a possible feeder rabbit, won’t be so inclined to pay a decent homing fee for a rabbit.

          Hope you find her a great home!

          Good luck!

           

           

           

           


        • Sarita
          Participant
          18851 posts Send Private Message

            That’s unfortunate. Unfortunately there are not alot of options for rabbits – is there anyway you would consider keeping her?

            The rescue I work at really makes sure that in situations like yours that the parents will be willing to take on the responsibility of the rabbit since this seems to be a perpetual problem with young people acquiring rabbits and then going off to school.


          • Kokaneeandkahlua
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            12067 posts Send Private Message

              Belavox…Are you SURE your not going to have time? I’ve done six years of university so far, one of them with a rabbit and didn’t have a problem (the one with the rabbit was engineering)….I know it might seem like your going to be super busy but alot of that time will be at home studying…perfect for hanging out with a rabbit.
              You just graduated from highschool? Then vet school is four years of undergraduate work away so…You could probably swing it? Maybe?

              Keep us posted on what you decide-we DO care! *hug*


            • Dinah
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                Thanks for your help. I graduated undergrad. So i’m actually looking to start vet school this fall. I might be going abroad so I don’t really want to take a bunny on a 5-6 hour flight. One of the main issues actually is that my rabbit just won’t become litter trained. Any tips or advice on what to do? She goes to the bathroom in the same spot in her cage and has no problem in there, but once I let her out and she has access to the entire room she still insists on using this old couch we’ve got in the room. I feel bad keeping her in the cage a lot because I’m not home to supervise her. Also, what kinds of activities or toys do rabbits like? I feel like I’m not socializing with her enough. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I’d like to try my best to keep her!


              • jellyrose
                Participant
                111 posts Send Private Message

                  Is she fixed? It seems to really settle down the peeing issue.
                  I had a bunny through university (nursing school) and was fine with him. I used to hide him over in a friends room on the otherside of the block when we had room inspections as we weren’t alllowed pets in dorms, then run him back across the court yard to my room when the landlord got to that side of the building ; ). It was so worth having him with me though. If you can swing it I would try keeping her!
                  AS for activities all my rabbits LOVE to rip stuff! The old yellow pages or cardboard boxes are great for this (just make sure there are no staples). Have you checked out the toy test stuff on this page… some great ideas, and some thing to do for everybun! Good luck!


                • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                    Actually you can fly with bunnies, some people may have more advice on this, but apparently you can take them on the plane if you make reservations, with you as your carry-on. Hopefully more people have words on this topid….You could also phone a few airline companies.

                    If your bunny isn’t fixed it’s hard to litter train them, especially when they are loose. Do you have litter boxes for her when she is out? If not, that could be the reason. Try putting a litter box with some of her poops in it where she has been going while out.

                    Try giving her an old towel or a the yellow pages, cardboard boxes, toilet paper roll stuffed with hay…Check out the toy test section for more ideas!!


                  • bunnytowne
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                    7537 posts Send Private Message

                      rabbits love to pee on soft stuff. mine started on the couch too. it has stopped now. we moved and thats what started it. and flying I know Delta Air takes buns in the cabin. in a pet carrier that pee can’t soak thru. awe don’t give up your bun.


                    • kimberleyanddarren
                      Participant
                      2520 posts Send Private Message

                        i think you should consider this more, if everyone gave up their bun because they wouldnt become litter trained or anything else i doubt any of us would have a bun! last night i was annoyed and really felt like i was at the end of my teather with my buns litter training but if i gave my bun up i know i would regret it forever, its a huge decision and parting with your bun will be harder than you think


                      • apanda
                        Participant
                        139 posts Send Private Message

                          getting her fixed will really help with the litter training. since you work at a vet’s office, if they do rabbits maybe you could get a good deal? I really think you should consider keeping her, but if you really really can’t I might be willing to adopt her if you got her spayed AND she got along with truffles.


                        • KatnipCrzy
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                          2981 posts Send Private Message

                            I think you should do what you can to keep her.  I know alot of vets from Michigan State University- and it sounds as all the vet students “sneak” pets- and pets like rabbits and guinea pigs and cats are high up on the list- that are easy to sneak and not get caught.  They don’t bark or need to be leash walked.

                            You are thinkning about going abroad to vet school??  If that is the case you may not be able to take her and get her past quarantine procedures.  What country are  you in now?  And where are you looking to go to vet school?  If your parents bought this as a present for you- they should be prepared to care for the commitment that they bought into.

                             


                          • RabbitPam
                            Moderator
                            11002 posts Send Private Message

                              I think you have an excellent opportunity for a learning experience if you keep her with you.
                              I have also seen references to airlines allowing bunnies in carriers – I believe you can call well in advance and reserve the spot up front near the cabin.

                              I have lived in several apartments with my bunny and no problems with landlords at all, even if they won’t take (or charge extra for) cats or dogs. They relax when you say it stays in a cage, is clean, and makes no noise. That you let her out when you’re there is your own business.

                              If you get her fixed, wouldn’t it be good experience to ask to be present and see it done? If you ever do vet work on exotics, it might be so very educational to see this early in your education. Also, by living with a bunny you will know first hand what the variety of issues come up from pet owners and be able to speak from direct experience. She will be a great companion while you study at home, be happy to see you, and rest comfortable when you are away. Since bunnies are house pets, you don’t have to worry about walking her outside or contact with other animals. (Or perhaps she can go with you when you intern at a practice and stay in a cage at work.)

                              Then she can be the first to binkie for you when you graduate in a few years!


                            • Beka27
                              Participant
                              16016 posts Send Private Message

                                Pam has many great points.  you’re entering a field that is full of people dumping pets when they become more than they can handle, when really some slight adjustments should eliminate any problems.  not sure if you’re still visiting the site, but if you are, please let us know what you’ve decided.


                              • Dinah
                                Participant
                                3 posts Send Private Message

                                  Hey guys! Thank you all so very much for all your advice. So I thought I owe you all an update. I actually began looking for a home for my Sahara. A had a decent response from a person but I never responded and just couldn’t go through with it. I had no idea I was that attached to her. As a future veterinarian and somebody that works at an animal hospital, I see how animals are carelessly adopted and given up for the smallest reasons. My family and I have rescued and owned many pets throughout the years and would never want to do that. However, due to certain circumstances that occured since we got the bunny, getting rid of her seemed like the better and more humane option. My father, who is retired and gladly cares for our pets during the day broke his leg last summer and was bed ridden for months. He recently became able to return to his normal activities. My parents don’t mind caring for Sahara while I’m in vet school. As of now, I may be flying to Scotland for vet school (I live in New York City)… therefore due to quarantine rules I cannot bring her with me. However, I might also go to Canada. If this is the case, I would gladly take my bun bun with me. She would be great company since I do not want to take my kitten with me and separate her from her sister. And yes, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and cats are very popular with vet students. What some of you mentioned about how a rabbit would be great for my education on exotics is a terrific idea which I have thought about. My pets’ veterinarian has allowed me to watch my dog’s leg surgery and my kittens’ spays. His father would be able to spay my bunny which would be a great experience for me since I am very interested in taking advantage of any exotics experiences I can get throughout vet school. It makes me sad when veterinarians at my hospital don’t know what to do in the evening (after the exotics dept has left) with exotic emergencies. I’ll definitely be checking out this site more often so that I can learn everything I can on how to make my sweet Sahara’s life as pleasant and fun as possible. Thanks again everyone!

                                  132821435171.jpg


                                • Beka27
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                                  16016 posts Send Private Message

                                    GREAT NEWS!  i am very happy with what you came up with!  i know it’s frustrating when the emergency vet doesn’t know what to do with rabbits.  we’ve had some members who were given bad advice by their emergency vet and sometimes it becomes fatal.  even if you don’t specialize in rabbits, i would definitely see if you can take some advanced courses so you’ll at least have some background.  and please do stick around.  we’re a fun bunch!


                                  • JK
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                                    2223 posts Send Private Message

                                      I was just going to say to you that this would be a great experience for you as you want to become a vet.  I’m so glad you are considering keeping her.  It’s so tragic that people get rid of their rabbits for this reason or that reason and do not fully understand the responsibility.  I had never owned a rabbit before I got Edson and I have said this before that I was completely overwhelmed with how much work a rabbit is over a cat or dog.  I had thoughts of giving him back to the rescue initially and then I became so attached to this little guy and could NEVER return him to the life he had.  I established a very manageable routine and it’s a piece of cake now.  Work yes but worth it.  He is such a charmer and has a fantastic  personality. I cannot tell you how much I love this guy.  I feel so sad for all the dumped bunnies that never get a chance to develop their personalities and have a good life because they are stuck in a horrible pet shop or a shelter or an abusive situation. Everyone here is so helpful when something comes up and there is a wealth of information here.  Good luck and keep us posted!

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                                  Forum RESCUE EFFORTS FOR SHELTERS My Poor Bun Bun