Rabbits

Rabbits can be great pets. They can be litter and harness trained and many are more affectionate than cats. A very common reason they are surrendered to the Shelter is because they are boring. Of course they are - if you just leave them in their cage and don’t interact with them!! Rabbits are fun, social animals if you spend time with them.

Each rabbit is an individual, no two are exactly the same. They vary in their capacity to learn as well as in the way they respond to the people they know. Rabbits, like all animals, are capable of experiencing pain, fear, affection and joy. Rabbits enjoy participating in all activities that take place at their own level, probably because they like company and keeping busy. Rabbits are ground-dwelling animals and don’t enjoy being picked up and carried. They must be slowly taught to not fear this. Most rabbit injuries happen because they are frightened and leap from their owner’s arms.

Pet rabbits can live indoors or outdoors. However, we recommend keeping rabbits indoors in winter as they are sensitive to drafts, dampness and cold. If you want to keep your rabbit outside, don’t get a rabbit in the winter and immediately put him out there. He needs to be acclimatized, so put him out in the spring.

Time

It is a common misconception that rabbits take no time to care for. They need proper food and water, grooming and nail trimming. Their enclosure should be large and thoroughly cleaned every other day. Rabbits need daily exercise to maintain their health and aid their digestion. It is incredibly entertaining to watch a rabbit kicking and jumping around a room. You’ll need to rabbit proof the room before letting your rabbit out. They love to chew wood furniture and electrical cords. The more time you spend with your rabbit, the more sociable and interactive pet you’ll have - it’s entirely up to you.

Home

Rabbits take up a relatively small amount of space since they are a caged pet. Attempt to budget for the largest possible enclosure you can afford (space and money-wise).

Types

The rabbit’s gender should not be a huge issue as all rabbits should be spayed or neutered. This is because mature unaltered rabbits display sexual aggression and don’t make good pets. If you intend to have more than one rabbit, however, gender is a consideration. Two male rabbits usually will not get along. Two females generally may if they were raised together or if they happen to take to each other. For rabbits that do not know each other the only way to see if they will get along is to try them together. A male and female may not always get along.

There are many different breeds of rabbits, from the smallest dwarf to the Flemish giant. Many people are familiar with the friendly lop rabbit as well. We encourage everyone to research the many resources and links available. Feel free to visit our shelter and visit with the many rabbits available for adoption as they are all distinct individuals. We are here to help you find the right match.