Adopting a Rescue Rabbit

Before you start the adoption process you should research rabbit's needs and be sure that you can provide the care, time and money they require. The following links may help:

Are You Ready for a Rabbit
The Cost of Rabbit Ownership
Rabbits as Children's Pets

Finding a Rescue/Rabbit to Adopt

On Rabbit Rehome you can search for individual rabbits to adopt or locate your local rescue centres. We only list a small portion of the total rabbits available, so you should always contact your local rescue if you cannot find any suitable rabbits listed.

You can also find your local rescues by calling the Rabbit Welfare Association National helpline on Tel: 0870 046 5249, checking the telephone directory or asking at your local Vet Practice.

Contacting a Rescue

Before you contact a rescue check whether they have provided any information on their preferred method of contact and follow the instructions. Smaller rescues maybe run by volunteers who work full time in addition to their volunteer work and they may only be available via telephone in the evenings/weekends. If you are asked to provide a contact number, where possible provide a landline line number, as mobiles are more expensive for the rescue to respond to. If you only have a mobile then when the rescue calls you could offer to call them back to reduce their phone bill.

When you contact a rescue provide them the information they need to respond. If you are enquiring about adoption the rescue will need to know where you are, how to contact you, what rabbit or type of rabbits you want, how you plan to house the rabbits and any other information that might be relevant to the adoption - such as other pets you have.

Rescues are often very busy and you may not receive an instant response. Please allow several days before following up your message.

Adoption Requirements

You should ask the rescue you plan to adopt from what requirements they have for accommodation. Check this before you purchase equipment, particularly cages and hutches. Many rescues are specific requirements on accommodation sizes; they may also be able to recommend the best places to purchase them. Rescues may also have other requirements such as the distance you live from the rescue (to accommodate home checks).

Visiting a Rescue

Depending on the rescue they may have set opening hours or you may need to make an appointment. If you arrange to visit the rescue and are no longer able to go then let the rescue know. They may have disrupted their routine to accommodate your visit. Ask the rescue where you should park, if the rescue is in a residential area please be courteous to neighbours and not block their access. Complaints from neighbours can lead to councils shutting down rescues.

While you are at the rescue you will have the opportunity to meet the rabbits available and discuss the adoption process. You may like to take a list of questions with you to ask the volunteers.

Choosing a Rabbit

The rescue workers will guide you towards suitable rabbits is you explain your requirements. Depending on the rescue you may be left to read the rabbits information or be shown a selection of rabbits that meet your requirements.

For more information on selection a rabbit see: Choosing a Rabbit

Bonding Rabbits

If you have a single rabbit and are planning to adopt a friend for it then the rescue may help you with bonding (introducing them). To get the most promising potential match you may be allowed to bring your rabbit to the rescue to meet the available rabbits and see which they get on with - a dating service. If you do this then your rabbit must have current vaccinations for its own safety and that of the other rabbits at the rescue.

Rabbit introductions must be done on neutral territory to prevent fighting so some rescues offer a bonding service where your rabbit and the new rabbit spend several hours/days at the rescue in neutral territory being introduced.

Pre-Adoption Checks

Before you take your new rabbit home the rescue will want to reassure themselves that you will be providing a suitable home. The checks they make are not because they specifically think you are a 'bad owner' but to ensure that people don't take rabbits they are not adequately prepared to look after.

Pre-adoption checks may include some or all of the following: a verbal or written interview, a visit to your home to check where the rabbit will be living and references (e.g. from your vet).

If the rescue identifies a problem during the checks they will explain what the problem is, why it's a problem and how you could change things to comply with their requirements. For example if your accommodation is too small they may suggest attaching an extra run to add more room.

Adoption Contract

Most rescues will ask you to sign a contract when you adopt a rabbit. This involves agreeing to terms such as vaccinating your rabbit regularly, providing vet care if needed and returning the rabbit to the rescue if you can no longer care for it. Each rescue's adoption agreement differs slightly so you should read it carefully before you sign.

Problems

If you have a problem or any questions after you have adopted a rabbit ask the rescue for advice.

Updates

When your rabbit has settled in to your home you may like to update the rescue on its progress. Rescues enjoy receiving updates on the animals they have spent time working with.

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