Huntsville Friends of
Rabbits is frequently contacted by people who are trying to find a new home for a bunny. We are
sorry to say that we are no longer operating as a rescue group due to health issues of our main fosterer. We are possibly transitioning into an education-only group, but we are taking a break
during the summer of 2018, again for health reasons.
In the event that you cannot keep your bunny, we urge you to either find a new home, or take your bunny to a shelter. In Huntsville, you can try Huntsville Animal Services or the Greater
Huntsville Humane Society. There are several groups who *may* be able
to help you rehome your bunny, but do NOT expect them to take your bunny as they are probably full also. In the Huntsville area you could try Huntsville
House Rabbits (you can search for them on Facebook) and also Alabama Rabbit Rescue (again, they can be found on Facebook).
If you would like to find a new home for your bunny, here are some resources you can use to help:
1. Lots of info on rehoming and all your alternatives: http://www.rabbitadoption.org/rehome.html
2. From Petfinder, a great article: https://www.petfinder.com/pet-care/giving-up-your-pet/finding-home-rabbit/
3. A very good article with more links: http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Rehoming_your_rabbit
4. And finally, you can list your bunny on Adopt-A-Pet's Rehome service. We highly recommend this! You'll find it here: https://rehome.adoptapet.com/list-a-pet/step-1
When you are making up a flyer about your bunny, there are some “marketing tips” that it’s good to keep in mind! A good photo is essential. Don’t photograph your bunny in a cage – a potential adopter can’t tell how cute she is with bars in the way!! Take photos that emphasize the best parts of your bunny – for example, does she have interesting fur, a cute face, or extra floppy ears? If in doubt, a nice face shot with ears is best.
When describing your bunny, don’t just describe her physically, but talk about her personality as well. Is she energetic? Calm? Playful? Does she enjoy toys? Having her ears scratched? Perhaps she loves to tunnel under things or she particularly likes throwing her toys around. Talk about all the things that make your bunny loveable, and remember - there are a lot of bunnies out there looking for good homes, so you want your bunny to seem extra special.
Be sure to mention if your bunny has been spayed/neutered – this is definitely a plus! Your bunny should be spayed/neutered for health reasons (did you know rabbits are especially prone to
reproductive cancers?) and because it helps behavioral issues associated with hormones. An adopter will be much more likely to want your bunny if they have been spayed/neutered. And getting your
bunny sterilized solves the problem of pit bull breeders and people who have snakes trying to fool you into giving them your bunny to use as a breeder for bait or snake food. Yes, this does
happen - more often than we want to think about! Please be warned - these people are experts at looking like loving, perfect pet owners. Do NOT offer your bunny free to a good home! She
will very likely wind up in a horrible situation!!
You can say how large your
bunny is and what breed she is. Also mention whether she comes with any toys or equipment. And please – be sure to ask a fee for adoption. Again, sadly there are people out there
looking for rabbits to feed to snakes, to use as bait for pitbulls, or to acquire because they are animal hoarders – even a $25 fee will help screen these people
out.
With patience and some effort, you should be able to find a new home for your rabbit. And now, let's talk about two things you should NOT do:
First, please do not,
ever, "set your bunny free" outside! If you do this, nature will take it's course and your bunny will wind up like our foster bunny, Gloria. Gloria was brought into Huntsville Animal Services
after several weeks outside on her own. She was emaciated, with bald patches, and had coccidia, ear mites, ticks, and was obviously panic stricken.
She also could have been attacked and killed by a predator. Domestic rabbits CANNOT survive outdoors! They are prey animals, and domestic rabbits do not even have the camouflage that wild bunnies
have. Please - if you do not want your bunny and cannot re-home her, take Gloria's advice and bring your bunny to a shelter!!
And, please do not EVER leave an animal on a doorstep - even a shelter's doorstep!! This is so wrong for so
many reasons.
First, it is dangerous for the animal. A rabbit we recently took in was left on a veterinarian's doorstep and not
found for several days. She went at least two days without food. She could also have been attacked by predators or gotten heatstroke.
Second, it is disrespectful of the people you are leaving the rabbit for. How do you know they have the space, finances (each rabbit we take in costs about $250-$400 at minimum), or
ability to care for another animal? How do you know that they are not having a personal crisis, or sick with the flu, on vacation or dealing with any number of situations that would make it
extremely difficult to take in another animal?
Third, it is cowardly...and lazy. We are sorry to say this, but it is. When you leave a bunny on a doorstep, what you are saying is "I am too afraid to face you
and ask you for help, because I'm afraid you'll say no and then it might mean a inconvenience for me. I might have to do some more work, and I might have to spend some money to take care of this
animal, and I don't want that."
Finally, animal abandonment is against the law! Most rescuers and vet clinics we know have video cameras
installed, and if you are recorded abandoning an animal you will be prosecuted.
So the moral of this long post? Please, do what is right
for the animal you are trying to help!