Rabbit Hole Hay's Blog

How to Rehome a Pet Rabbit

Tips for Rehoming Your Rabbit

Rabbit sitting near wooden house with heart

Rabbits are wonderful pets, but they are a big commitment. If you are no longer able to care for your rabbit, it’s important to find them a new home as soon as possible. Rehoming a rabbit can be difficult, but it’s important to do it right. Here are some tips on how to rehome your pet rabbit.

Decide Why You Are Rehoming Your Rabbit

The first step is to figure out why you’re rehoming your rabbit. Are you moving to a place where you can’t have pets? Are you no longer able to afford to care for your rabbit? Are you allergic to your rabbit? Once you know why you’re rehoming your rabbit, you can start to think about what kind of home would be best for them.

Find Your Rabbit a New Home

There are many ways to find a good home for a pet rabbit:

  • Talk with friends and family to see if they want a rabbit and ask them to help spread the word.

  • Take high-quality photos that capture the personality of your rabbit and post them on social media in a positive, but honest way. Provide details in the posting about what makes your pet rabbit special (ie: they’re litter box trained or are good with children or give the best cuddles) and any other details you think are important.

  • Use websites such as Craigslist, rescueme.org and home-home.org to connect with potential adopters in your area.

  • Put up fliers about your rabbit on local bulletin boards in coffee shops, veterinary offices, gyms, libraries, or other high-traffic areas.

  • Reach out to local rescue groups to see if they will help spread the word as well.

  • Ask for a small rehoming fee to deter people that just want rabbit food.

*Note: Your local animal shelter should be your last resort, as there’s a chance the bunny might be euthanized or die due to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV).

Interview Potential Adopters

When you’re looking for a good home for your rabbit, it’s important to interview the potential adopters carefully. Make sure they understand the commitment of owning a rabbit. They should also be willing to provide your rabbit with the care they need, including a healthy diet of quality hay, plenty of exercise, and regular veterinary care. Make sure the potential adopters have a safe and secure home for your rabbit. They should have a large cage or hutch for your rabbit to live in, as well as a safe place for your rabbit to exercise. They should also be willing to provide your rabbit with toys and other enrichment activities. If you’re not sure if a potential adopter is a good fit for your rabbit, you can always ask them to come to your home and meet your rabbit before you decide. This will give you a chance to see how your rabbit interacts with the potential adopters and to make sure that they’re a good fit for each other.

Prepare Your Rabbit for Rehoming

Once you’ve found a good home for your rabbit, it’s important to prepare them for the move. This means getting them used to being in a carrier and making sure that they’re up to date on their vaccinations. You should also pack their food, litter, and toys so that they have everything they need in their new home.

Introduce Your Rabbit to Their New Family

When you bring your rabbit to their new home, it’s important to introduce them to their new family slowly. Let them explore their new home and get used to their new surroundings. You should also supervise their interactions with their new family members so that everyone can get used to each other.

Follow Up With the New Family

After you have rehomed your rabbit, ask if you can follow up with the new family to make sure that everything is going well. This is a good opportunity to answer any questions that the new family may have and to make sure that your rabbit is adjusting well to their new home.

Never Abandon a Rabbit Outside

Pet rabbits can’t survive outdoors and are easy targets for predators. They’re also at risk of getting RHDV which spreads easily to rabbits outside, other diseases, being hit by cars, and starving to death. It’s a crime in some states to abandon an animal. If you have a rabbit or found a rabbit you can’t keep, the best option is to house the rabbit yourself or with a friend while you try to find a safe indoor home for the rabbit. Rehoming a pet rabbit can be a difficult decision, but it’s important to do what is best for your rabbit. By following these tips, you can make sure that your rabbit finds a loving and forever home.