7 Reasons Why You Should Adopt a Bunny Vs Buy
It’s February! Did you know February is adopt a rescue rabbit month? I love it! Are you thinking about a bunny addition? Now, I know everyone loves a cute baby bunny and they’re so adorable. But the little fluff balls of cuteness grow up, and they grow up fast. It usually ends with new owners realizing they’re in over their heads and why rescues become flooded with rabbits that need homes.
I’ll be honest, our two rabbits are from breeders. It was before I really did my research. We were getting food for our bearded dragon when we saw the cutest little dwarf bunny and… I impulse-bought a pet. Never a good idea, but we learn and grow, and sometimes still make mistakes. Looking back if I knew what I know now, I would have went to a rescue.
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#1. Adopting a Rabbit is More Ethical
This might be a given, but like most animals that are bred, the people doing it inhumanely usually outnumber the good ones. Rabbits are just now busting into the world of equal pets vs livestock, still being viewed as “pocket pets”, that do fine living their lives in cages. Which makes some of the more inhumane breeding practices overlooked. Lastly, like dogs and cats, the cute little smushy faces we love, also known as “brachycephalic”, usually affect the animal’s health and well-being. They can’t breathe as well, have trouble tolerating heat, and have a list of other problems that come from your sinuses being squished. This being breeds like some lops and dwarf rabbits. Lop rabbits are known to be deaf too, due to the shape of their ears. Our lop, Milo is deaf. Don’t get me wrong, I adore brachycephalic dogs, cats, and rabbits; but you need to decide if you want to continue to put money in the market to promote the breeding of possibly unhealthy animals.
#2. Adopting a Rabbit Comes With Education
A reputable rabbit rescue is going to educate you on bunny ownership. None of the, buying a little pet store rabbit cage, with a water bottle, and wood shavings, Only to realize that’s completely wrong. I’ve been there but had I gone to a rescue, I would have saved money in the long run. They will make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into and resources for what to do and when. Like for example
It’s cheaper to buy hay in bulk
Water dishes over water bottles
The information will be golden and help you not get blindsided by any funny rabbit business. Even though they are the 3rd most popular pet after dogs and cats, they have their unusual quirks. It’s best to have all the information and the right information upfront.
#3. Adopted Rabbits are already altered and vetted
This is one of the biggest pluses! I can’t explain to you how nice this is, and it saves you some serious money. Exotic vets can be expensive! When I went shopping to spay a female rabbit, it was tipping over $400 in my area. Some vets won’t even spay female rabbits, even though it’s their best defense against reproductive cancers, not to mention can help with some behavior issues. (Side note: A vet that claims to see rabbits but refuses to spay female rabbits, is a red flag. You might not want to have your rabbits vetted there.) Yes, spaying or neutering your rabbits is going to help their quality of life and make owning them more enjoyable.
Another plus to them already being fixed is they have already had the surgery and are healed or healing. Aftercare for surgery in rabbits can be a bit scary. I’ve recovered and cared for many dogs and cats after this procedure. Rabbits are on a different level. I was a nervous wreck taking care of my 2 rabbits after their neuters, couldn’t imagine the females. I would personally prefer having someone experienced monitoring them for at least their first few days after surgery. They’re just more delicate animals, they can be a bit more sensitive, and also much more stoic when there is a problem.
Having all this care already handled takes so much hassle off the beginning stages of owning a rabbit. #3 is enough reason alone for me to adopt. Not forgetting, in the process of all this, they will be checked out. Hopefully having a clean bill of health, or at least if they do have some possible health concerns, you’ll be informed.
#4. Adopted Rabbits Can Come Litter Box Trained
Again, this might depend on the rescue, but the good ones will either have them trained, on their way to being trained or can warn you, they might not be the best at it. Having a new pet come housebroken is a big win. Cleaning up rabbit urine isn’t much fun.
#5 Adopt Rabbits Can Come Already Bonded
Rabbits are social creatures, they (usually) enjoy the company of each other. It’s great to have two to be with each other in case you can’t be their constant companion. However, just because rabbits are social, doesn’t mean their not complicated. They can be pretty territorial. They have noises and body language that can’t be similar to dogs but still mean different things. Once they do figure out their relationship, and they decided they like each other, they become “bonded”. Once they’re bonded they have a very strong connection and don’t want to be separated. It’s usually recommended you don’t. If one goes to the vet, you should take the other along. Any combination can be bonded. Males to males, males to females, females to females, they can even be more than 2 rabbits. This is all great but takes some time, stress, and knowledge to probably bond rabbits. So, if you want two, it’s amazing to already have this process over. You can just take your two fixed rabbits (so no fear of babies) home to enjoy as pets. No, keeping them separated until you get them fixed, hunting down a rabbit vet, and waiting for the hormones to calm down so you can attempt to bond them. I did this, I speak from experience, adopt.
Maybe you already have a rabbit and you now want a friend for it? A rabbit rescue can take your rabbit on “bunny dates.” Your rabbit can meet a bunch of rescue rabbits and pick the bunny they are most compatible with. Allowing your rabbit to pick their partner can help you avoid some of the stress and fighting that can come from trying to force 2 rabbits together that might not match well.
#6. Adopted Rabbit’s Foster, will know the rabbit’s personality
Their foster parents are caring for them day in a day out. They’ll know these rabbits’ favorite toys and treats, what scares them, what makes them happy, and whether or not they’re destructive bunnies. Something I wish I would have known about our Milo and his floor-destroying abilities. They’ll be able to help match you with a rabbit that fits your family.
#7. Adopted Rabbits Have a Support Team
Your rabbit rescue has provided you with endless knowledge, the correct enclosure, the right food, how to properly care for them, their vet care, getting them fixed, pairing them with a friend, or helping you decide if they would like one. But it will never really stop. They’ll continue to be there for you. If you need a reputable vet, or a nail trim if you need direction in their care. Hopefully, it never would happen, but help if you can’t care for your pet or fall on hard times. When you rescue a rabbit you join a pretty tightly-knit club and won’t be alone as you continue life with your adopted rescue rabbit.
