Rehoming Rabbits
BUNNY WONDERLAND ADVOCATES FOR RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP.
According to the Animal & Veterinary Services’s Code of Conduct (for pet owners), pet owners have the duty to provide adequate care for their animals through their lifespan. Any person found guilty of neglecting an animal faces a fine of up to $10,000, and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months. In the case of subsequent offences, the offender faces a fine of up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years.
IT IS THE OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THEIR PETS ARE IN GOOD HANDS.
Due to changes in life, some owners may not be able to continue their care for their pets. In such situations, they may choose to find them a better home. It is important for owners to take the time to talk to potential adopters about the responsibility and commitment towards a pet rabbit. Hastily passing them to ill-prepared adopters may result in the rabbit to be neglected again and end up in a never-ending cycle of suffering. This is very cruel and unnecessary.
REHOMING TIPS FOR OWNERS
- Look for potential adopters within your friends and family network. These are people you know and trust and this will ensure your rabbit will be in good hands.
- Look for potential adopters in animal-loving communities. We have listed a few facebook groups below for your reference:
3. Talk to potential adopters to understand their readiness to commit to the rabbit. You can use our Rabbit Care Guide as a reference to test their prepardness and knowledge.
4. Meet potential adopters in their own home to ensure the rest of their family is welcoming of the rabbit. You should also survey their home to ensure it is condusive and save for your rabbit.
5. Ensure the rabbit is sterilized prior to handing over to the new adopter. This will ensure it is not misused for breeding which is cruel and unncessary.
Arrange to meet the adopter in a rabbit-savvy vet clinic for the handover. The vet can conduct a thorough review of the pet in the presence of both of you and guide the adopter in caring for the rabbit’s health.
6. Arrange to bring rabbit as well its existing supplies to the adopter’s house. Share your experience and offer suggestions to ensure the new arrangement is as comfortable as possible for the rabbit to minimize stress.
7. Follow up with the adopter after the rehoming to ensure the rabbit is settling well in its new environment.
8. Arrange a follow-up vet visit about 3 months after the rehoming to ensure the rabbit continues to thrive in the new environment. Offers to pay for this vet visit if you can. The adopter will appreciate this gesture.