Should I Get a Rabbit?

Why adopt a rabbit?

Rabbits are bred for everything from medical and cosmetic research, to food, to providing a child’s delight at Easter time. Over 500 domestic rabbits are surrendered at local DFW animal shelters in a given year. The majority of those surrendered are Easter gifts that the family is no longer interested in, or because the rabbit has now matured and shows unwanted behavior (which can be solved by spaying/neutering). The fun news is that rabbits are mesmerizing companions that amaze any human willing to take the time to discover what a rabbit is: a bundle of unconditional love who provides complete joy and boundless hours of companionship and bonding. Rabbits are intelligent — just because they do not vocalize as cats and dogs, it does not mean that they are “dumb”. So why adopt a rabbit? Because they are worthy. They need homes. They need love and companionship just like we do. Rabbits suffer so much at the hand of Man — we humans can change that, one rabbit at a time. Why not try opening your life a rabbit as a companion animal? Fill your life with fuzzy softness, acrobatic “binkies” (bunny jumps), and sleepy-eyed love. Adopt a rabbit. They need you.

Some things you’ll need to consider:

Adopting any animal is a serious commitment of time, energy, and resources. Taking the time to educate yourself before making such a commitment will mean you get a better chance of finding the best, most loving companion for you and your family, and an animal gets a best chance at a Forever Home.

Housing
Your new rabbit will need to be housed. Rabbits live long and healthy lives in both indoor and outdoor environments. However, we feel that your rabbit should be housed indoors in order for you and your rabbit to bond and for him to become an integral member of the family. We are opposed to housing outdoors in hutches/wire cages because rabbits are social creatures who need to interact with their human companions. Also, domestic rabbits are not like their wild cousins, so it is healthier for your rabbit to be kept indoors rather than in a cage outside. Rabbits in cages outside are often forgotten, lonely and can and do die from heat and cold exposure. An enclosure does not need to be a prison — it can be as simple as a puppy pen set on a scrap piece of linoleum with carpet runners for footing. A litter box with appropriate litter, food and water containers, hay, and toys complete the perfect rabbit home. Your rabbit should be safe from household hazards, so it’s important that you bunny-proof your house. Covering wires, moving plants to a higher location, and watching for dangerous high jumping areas are just a few of the considerations. For more information on housing, go here.

Diet
Your new rabbit will have to be fed. Rabbits eat throughout the day and night. They need to do so in order for their magical GI systems to maintain the proper flora and fauna to keep the rabbit in good health. You will need the following diet items in order to give your rabbit the correct diet to maintain health: fresh water, good quality pellets and hay that is available at all times, and 1½ cups of dark green leafy vegetables per pound of body weight given daily. Lots of fresh water is also a must. For more information on care, go here.

Medical Treatment
Your new rabbit will need yearly checkups. Your adopted bunny will come to you already either spayed or neutered, which results in a calmer, more affectionate bunny and will help eliminate inappropriate hormonally driven behaviors such as chewing, nesting, urine spraying and mounting. Though rabbits do not receive yearly vaccinations, we do recommend a yearly health check with an experienced veterinarian.

If you’ve decided that a rabbit is the companion pet for you, be sure to explore our website for great information on making your adoption of a rabbit a joyful, successful experience.