Privately Rehoming a Bunny

Before rehoming your bunny, ask yourself why this step is necessary. Many common issues have solutions or steps that can be taken to help improve things:

• Behavioral Problems: Spaying/neutering can reduce aggression, spraying, and destructive behavior. Provide proper outlets for chewing and digging and check for underlying medical issues or environmental stressors.

• Litterbox Challenges: Most bunnies can improve with adjustments. Reach out to Amy’s Bunny Barn or a local house rabbit rescue for advice.

• Allergies: Allergies can often be managed through specific changes. Most presumed rabbit allergies are actually allergies to the hay. While timothy hay is a common allergy causer, orchard and oat hays are not. Remove the timothy hay, give your home a good cleaning to remove all dust and tiny-hay fibers from your home. Handwashing after interacting with your bunny, avoiding touching your face, frequent cleaning/vacuuming, wearing a mask during bunny chores or having them done by another person, over-the-counter allergy medication, using HEPA air purifiers, and not alowing your bunny in your bedroom can also be helpful in reducing allergy symptoms.

• Time Constraints: This may require a reassessment of priorities to ensure your bunny receives the care and attention they need.

Rehoming can be traumatic for rabbits. They may search for their human family and can become depressed when surrendered. If your bunny deserves a better home, be that better home.

• Adopted from a Rescue? Contact them first. Bunnies adopted from Amy’s Bunny Barn must be returned to us and cannot be rehomed elsewhere. Give rescues advance notice so they can arrange foster care or space.

• Never Abandon Your Bunny: Pet rabbits cannot survive outdoors and face predators, traffic, starvation, and harsh weather. Abandoning a bunny outside, or at a shelter, vet, or pet store is also dangerous, unethical, and illegal.

1. Ask Trusted People: Friends, family, or co-workers may adopt or help spread the word.

2. Create a Positive, Honest Profile: Take an eye-level photo showcasing your bunny’s personality. Highlight their traits, free-roaming habits, litterbox use, compatibility with other animals, and any medical conditions.

3. Share Online: Post in social media groups that promote proper bunny care, free roaming, and indoor living.

4. Reach Out to Rescues: For advice or to join a surrender waitlist. Note that most rescues operate at capacity, so wait times may be weeks to months.

5. Prepare Your Bunny: Have them checked by a vet, spayed/neutered, vaccinated against RHD, and groomed. Work on socializing and litter training.

Your bunny’s safety depends on finding the right home. Ask potential adopters:

• Experience and Expectations: What do they know about bunny care? What role will the bunny play in their life?

• Housing Setup: Require indoor housing with free roaming or a spacious pen (minimum 4x4ft) and plenty of exercise time.

• Time Commitment: Ensure they understand that bunnies are social animals requiring daily interaction and care. They live 10+ years and need a long-term commitment.

• Primary Caregiver: Bunnies should not be purchased as a child’s pet. While children may enjoy interacting with a bunny, they often lose interest as they grow or have changing priorities. Bunnies are also fragile and are prey animals. They can become injured or fearful from improper handing or interaction. Adults must take full responsibility for the bunny’s lifelong care, including feeding, grooming, medical needs, and social interaction.

• References: Request and check reference

• Charge an adoption fee to discourage unethical intentions, such as using rabbits for meat or snake food. Consider donating the fee to a bunny rescue to support their work.

• Before handing your bunny over, ask for photos of their housing setup, supplies, and food to confirm they meet proper standards.

If you surrender your bunny to a rescue, understand that they rely on donations to operate. Consider making a contribution to help cover the costs of care, including food, medical treatment, and housing for your bunny. Rescues often have long waitlists and limited resources, so a donation helps them continue their lifesaving work.

Until your bunny is safely rehomed or surrendered, you are responsible for their care, including their social, nutritional, medical, grooming, & housing needs. There is no excuse for neglect or abuse.

Rehoming a pet is a difficult and emotional decision. If you decide to bring a new animal into your family in the future, make a lifelong commitment to their care. Consider the following:

• Lifetime Responsibility: Pets depend on us for their entire lives. Before adopting, be sure you’re ready to meet their needs, including time, space, financial costs, and medical care, for their full lifespan. For bunnies, this can be 10+ years.

• Adopt, Don’t Shop: There are countless animals waiting in rescues and shelters for loving homes. By adopting, you save a life and support organizations working to prevent animal overpopulation. Avoid supporting breeders or pet stores that contribute to this problem.

Being a responsible pet owner means planning for the unexpected and providing a stable, loving home for the duration of an animal’s life.