Who Is Eligible to Adopt
If you are 21 years or older, have the time and financial resources for a rabbit and everyone in your household agrees to adopt a rabbit, we probably have the right rabbit (or rabbits) for you!
Children and Rabbits
Please note we do not adopt rabbits out as pets for children. A parent is always the primary caregiver. As with all pets, rabbits need love, attention and financial support from their primary caregiver. Adoptions to families with children are considered on a case-by-case basis. We have found homes for many rabbits with loving families who have considerate, compassionate children. Not all rabbits do well in homes with children. Depending on the ages of your children, we will most likely suggest a rabbit that will be the best fit for your family.
Indoor Housing Only
All rabbits adopted from HRRN must live inside the house with their human companions. Why? A rabbit who lives inside with a family becomes a more meaningful part of that family. He will also provide entertainment as he plays with his toys, explores, geranlly does rabbit antics. does his happy-bunny dance. In addition, you become familiar with your rabbit’s routines, eating habits, and body language. This enables you to recognize signs of illness. A rabbit housed outside is at high risk for parasites, heat exhaustion, and predators. Out of sight, frequently out of mind. If you would like us to help prepare your house for a bunny, we will be glad to help.
Homes with Dogs & Other Animals
Most of us these days are multi-species households. Your patience and dedication to proper introductions and on-going supervision between rabbits and other animals is critical. Most cats and rabbits either get along or totally ignore each other. However, it takes a rabbit with a special personality to feel comfortable living in close proximity to a dog. It also takes a special dog! Its important to understand that “it is a dog’s innate instinct to chase, catch, and kill. Every dog has a prey drive; the level of prey drive is what will determine your rabbit’s safety.” (link Introducing Your Rabbit Companion to a Canine Companion)
Homes with dogs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. HRRN does occasionally place rabbits in homes with dogs. We may have a few rabbits who have compatible personalities, does your dog? Introductions prior to adoption always take place prior to a rabbit going home – the dog always meets a potential rabbit friend first. We will suggest you speak with one of our volunteers who is a certified trainer and dog behavior specialist. She lives with dogs and rabbits and extremely knowledgeable about interactions, dog breed specifics i.e. good match/bad match with rabbits. See Best Friends Training.
Allergies
The primary component of a rabbit’s diet is hay. There are different kinds of hay, some with less dust than others, but please have all family members tested for hay (and rabbit) allergies before getting a rabbit if you suspect this may be an issue. Our goal is to avoid the heartbreak of having to return a rabbit simply due to allergies.
Returns
Please contact us first for assistance in working out any issues with your rabbit. Many times simply getting advice or talking about a problem can help. We’ve all been there while getting to know our first rabbit too! A perfect pet does not exist. Often, speaking to an experienced rabbit caretaker or looking at things from a rabbit’s point of view is helpful. However, if at any time after you adopt, an adoption does not work out, you cannot or are no longer able to care for your rabbit(s), or insurmountable conditions exist, please return your rabbit to HRRN. We will take the rabbit back into our care per our Adoption Contract. Our Adoption Contact is legally binding. If you have a bonded pair and only one rabbit was adopted from HRRN, we will request that you bring both rabbits so the bonded couple is not separated.
We ask you give us advance notice if you are returning your rabbit if at all possible. Once a rabbit is adopted from HRRN, the cage space is filled with another rescued rabbit almost immediately. Therefore, a return requires that a space must either be opened up by a new adoption, or rabbit must be “bumped” from the rescue list at the animal shelter.
Exchanges
HRRN does not exchange animals. Exceptions may be made when: the adopter is working together with HRRN on making a match between an adoptee and their own rabbit; or
a different match would be less stressful to the rabbit.
Birthday, Christmas & Easter Adoptions
HRRN does not adopt out rabbits as birthday presents or during the Easter and Christmas holidays. During the holidays, we will continue to accept applications, conduct placement interviews, do home visits, and educate adoption candidates about rabbits during these times.
All rabbits need time to adjust to new sounds, smells, and new people in the household under normal circumstances and the chaos surrounding a special occasion or holiday makes it harder for a rabbit to adapt to their new household. Additionally, many people are very busy and have little time to get their new rabbit acclimated during these periods. Humans also need to adapt to the new bunny!
