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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Should they stay or go to the shelter? Please help!

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    • mocha200
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        So some of you know I have two foster rabbits at my house. The shelter they are supposed to go to has no idea how soon they will be able to come pick them up (they have a long waiting list). They said if I can not house them that I could take them to my local shelter and when they have an opening they will go pick them up there. So I am at a loss! What should I do? I “can” house them but only outdoors and I feel awful about that! But if they go to the shelter they would be kept in a small cage for months! Here they are in a 2×6 1/2 ft. cage with free time in a nice big outside pen! What do you think is better?


      • bullrider76543
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          If they are safe and happy at your place I wouldn’t let them go. especially if they are not in any heat danger and seem to be getting great treatment. I have two fosters at my house also, but the rescue here is so overrun that I volunteered to give them a forever home. We have gotten so attatched to them I cant even bare the thought of not having their sweet faces looking up at me everymorning. Ya ya I know I am such a dang horder, argh, I just cant say no to a fuzzy little set of bunny ears looking up to me to help them. just wish I could do more, but all full up right now.


        • mocha200
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            Here is the cage they are staying in. It is two dog crates connected together inside of my rabbit run.

            Reasons to stay:

            • Big cage
            • Play time
            • Being with someone that knows about rabbits (The shelter doesn’t know much about rabbits and if they got sick they may not know!)
            • No stress from being with other animals

             Reasons to go:

            • No noise from construction (although they don’t seem bothered by it.)
            •  Indoors
            • Easier on me ( I know that sounds bad but, building a house, starting school, leaving a lot, it is hard to take care of 4 rabbits

            Please let me know what you guys think! It is EXTREMELY hard to live with myself for having them outside! Of coarse it is better then where they were before but it still bothers me! My grandma ONLY will let Mocha and Lulu inside! Even our cats have to stay outside in our camper and a shed! Please help


          • mocha200
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              If they stay should I be looking into making or buying them a hutch?


            • bullrider76543
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                I wouldnt get a hutch unless you plan on continuing to foster others, or keep him. but if you do You might want to concider it. how is the weather where you are at? it a safe place where he wont get too hot or tooo cold? and if I can ask why can’t he come inside?


              • mocha200
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                  Weathers are high 60F and Low 70F for the rest of this week. My grandparents have NEVER let animals into their house. They have a very nice house and my grandma can’t handle messes. They let me have Mocha and Lulu in the unfinished part of their basement because they know how much they mean to me! I had no plan of getting these bunnies and I am sure she wouldn’t want them in her house. They are not fixed or litter trained which means two messy stinky bunnies. Their is also no room for them in the basement. Once our house has a roof on it they “may” be able to stay in the basement if it starts getting cold at night, but that’s up to me parents. Also, not sure how long until our house will be that far along.


                • mocha200
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                    Oh! I forgot to add I do not plan on keeping them! Four bunnies is WAY to much for me to handle! Haha! They sure are cute though!


                  • longhairmike
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                      as much as it pains you,, i think it would be best to just send the grandparents to the shelter


                    • mocha200
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                        Longhairmike: What?


                      • LBJ10
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                          LOL Mike!


                        • bullrider76543
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                            LMAO now mike we need to behave lol


                          • Beka27
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                              Lol… Longhairmike was making a joke, Mocha. :o)

                              For now, I think they are fine with you. I know it’s not ideal having them outside, but at least for awhile, the conditions are okay. Their cage is an adequate size, and the pen is safe for them. You’re doing a great thing taking care of them. I can’t think of anyone better to foster.


                            • mocha200
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                                Thanks Beka! I will do the best I can for them!


                              • Cristina
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                                  I wouid totally keep them with you until they can be fostered else where or adopted. At least you know how to care for them, and my thoughts are that moving again would stress them out. Especially with barking dogs, and a whole host of new people. A lot of times people will serve out community service time at shelters and there can be a lot of new faces and not repeated ones. They may get stressed from seeing a lot of different people versus the same faces regularly.I’d say if it goes on 4 weeks and you are tiring, then move them. But I’d let them stay put for the time being. I have 3 indoor bunnies and it can be VERY tiring cleaning up after them all. 3 rambuctuous boys is hard, but the love they show is totally worth it. I understand totally your predicament because I live with my parents, and it IS hard looking after 3 or 4. But my advice is to keep them and hopefully a spot will open up for them very soon!


                                • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                    lol Mike!

                                    I think Beka said it best, if you can keep looking after them, that’s great


                                  • BinkyBunny
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                                      I think because we know how conscientious you are about their safety and well-being, that while being outdoors is not ideal, we know they will be cared for well by you.I  do have two concerns though to address – IF it got too hot, or too chilly, would you be allowed to bring them in temporarily to shield them from extremes?

                                      Also, though I see it is covered – is that tarp? How is it fastened on. Is there anyway a determined wild animal like a coyote or fox could get into your yard, and jump up onto that, fall in or somehow get in?

                                      EDITED FOR TYPOS. 


                                    • mocha200
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                                        BB: No I don’t think so. But to be honest I haven’t talked to my grandparents about it at all! They went on a trip and have only been back one day. My mom is the one who told me they would have to stay outside. It is starting to get way to cold at night for bunnies! It is gettinng down to upper 40sF and is going to get to upper 30sF Later this week! Way to cold! They would be able to stay in my Grandpas garage. It is insulated and heated (although I would have to ask to use it.). But since it is insulated it wouldn’t get that cold.

                                        About the top of the pen. Right now there is a plastic mesh fencing on it. It was only supposed to be used to keep birds out as my bunnies were only going be be out there during the day! I put a tarp on top of have of the pen when it rains. I will ask my dad if we can build a wire top for it. We were going to do it next year.

                                        I would just like to make something clear. I LOVE my grandparents! They are fun and loving and I LOVE living with them! No day is ever boring! Even though she has different views on animals, she still loves them! She told me once I take Mocha and Lulu to our house she is going to miss them a lot! She also saw the new bunnies for one day and told me she wanted to keep them! She has also been calling our cat Emmett “her boy” haha! Just wanted to make it clear that I love them and respect their rules.


                                      • BinkyBunny
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                                          Sounds like you have wonderful grandparents that you love very much. Totally understand

                                          OH, I didn’t see the wire mesh on the top (smart move to keep the birds out). Is the mesh secured to the top somehow?

                                          I think due to the weather though, finding a solution that would keep the foster bunnies warm is a must – and the garage seems okay, but are cars in there and are they started in there (driven in or out of the garage – I am thinking of fumes), or is it basically vacant?


                                        • mocha200
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                                            BB: The mesh isn’t attatched the best. It is held on by little nails so we can take it off if we need to. It is pretty strong as my cat will sometimes walk on top of it, but I feel like something could rip through it if it wanted too!

                                            We call it a garage, but it is basically a Work Shop. My grandpa LOVES to build stuff and the whole thing has tons of tools and wood. But he hasn’t built anything in their since we moved in June so I don’t think loud power tools would be a problem. They will store their camper in their in the winter, but thats it. No cars. I talked to my dad and he seems like it would be OK for them to stay in the garage.


                                          • BinkyBunny
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                                              Oh, if it’s held on with little nails and your cat can walk on it, then that’s much better. So hard to tell from the photo – looked like an animal could just jump up and fall through. Good to know that’s not the case at all.

                                              Also good news about the workshop! And if whatever reason, you grandpa does decide to go hog wild with the power tools (my husband loves to build and make stuff too) I am sure you could put the some place (bathroom or ?) for a few hours if need be. ??


                                            • mocha200
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                                                BB: Great news! They are in the garage now! They have been in their for about 4 days now! They are in my NIC condo at the moment but I didn’t put the second level in yet. If my Grandpa does use power tools I will put them in the outdoor pen to play in. They need exercise anyways.

                                                They aren’t litter trained yet which is pretty annoying! haha! I think I am going to make a thread about that later.


                                              • bunnnnnnie!
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                                                  Posted By mocha200 on 09/08/2012 08:26 AM
                                                  BB: No I don’t think so. But to be honest I haven’t talked to my grandparents about it at all! They went on a trip and have only been back one day. My mom is the one who told me they would have to stay outside. It is starting to get way to cold at night for bunnies! It is gettinng down to upper 40sF and is going to get to upper 30sF Later this week! Way to cold! They would be able to stay in my Grandpas garage. It is insulated and heated (although I would have to ask to use it.). But since it is insulated it wouldn’t get that cold.

                                                  About the top of the pen. Right now there is a plastic mesh fencing on it. It was only supposed to be used to keep birds out as my bunnies were only going be be out there during the day! I put a tarp on top of have of the pen when it rains. I will ask my dad if we can build a wire top for it. We were going to do it next year.

                                                  I would just like to make something clear. I LOVE my grandparents! They are fun and loving and I LOVE living with them! No day is ever boring! Even though she has different views on animals, she still loves them! She told me once I take Mocha and Lulu to our house she is going to miss them a lot! She also saw the new bunnies for one day and told me she wanted to keep them! She has also been calling our cat Emmett “her boy” haha! Just wanted to make it clear that I love them and respect their rules.

                                                  Can I just say you’re one of the most inspiring young people I’ve met, mocha?  You’re so mature, and you are a total advocate for your pets WHILE still having respect for your family and any differences of opinion.  It’s wonderful to see.

                                                   

                                                  It sounds like you have a nice compromise for now, keeping them in the workshop.  Hopefully they will find a forever home, soon!


                                                • BinkyBunny
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                                                    Posted By bunnnnnnie! on 09/14/2012 11:18 AM

                                                    Can I just say you’re one of the most inspiring young people I’ve met, mocha?  You’re so mature, and you are a total advocate for your pets WHILE still having respect for your family and any differences of opinion.  It’s wonderful to see.

                                                     

                                                    DITTO THAT! 


                                                  • mocha200
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                                                      Awww! Thanks Guys!


                                                    • BinkyBunny
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                                                        Okay — I have done a complete turnaround. Not about you, Mocha – you are still awesome! But about keeping them due to your other post. https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/121756/Default.aspx#299969 

                                                        Edited out my questions here — posted them at the above link as I don’t want to create dual posts and have you yo-yo back an forth. 

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                                                    Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Should they stay or go to the shelter? Please help!