How to Adopt a Bunny

Adopting a bunny is a great way to have a pet without having the higher feed and vet bill of a dog or cat. Bunnies require lots of cleanup and socialization, as well as time out of their cages to run around and stretch their legs. You want to be sure you're ready for the occasional bunny poop on the floor, and the shredding of the newspaper that a bunny likes to do to an interior cage. And if you're adopting one bunny, you might as well adopt two, because they love the company of another rabbit. If you are allergic to cats, a bunny can make a good replacement for a cat in the house.

Instructions

1. Decide what kind of bunny you're thinking of getting. Dwarf bunnies are smaller, but bigger bunnies are easier for kids to pick up and handle without getting scratched. Think about where you'll keep the bunny (outdoors in a hutch, outdoors in a pen, indoors in a cage, indoors range-free). This will dictate what equipment you'll need for your bunny. Don't buy anything until you check out which bunnies you find available. You can often get a bunny with all of his equipment for a relatively cheap price if you're adopting directly from another person.

2. Realize that bunnies live about 8 years. So if you're getting a young bunny, you want to commit to having it for its lifetime. If you're getting it for a child, realize that you are going to be doing all the taking care of the bunny after the shine wears off. Kids love their bunnies, but the parents are the ones who consistently do all the work.

3. Check out Craiglist (www.craigslist.com) first. There are always people giving up their bunnies, or offering free or very cheap bunnies to new homes. You'll have to meet the people, and you'll want to make sure the bunny is friendly, easy to pick up and hold, and playful. You'll also want a fixed rabbit, in case you decide to get another one later on. Because bunnies breed like, well, rabbits, and you'll be up to your neck in cottontails.

4. Try your local animal shelter. You can look at www.petharbor.com for pictures of bunnies at shelters closest to you. They require their bunnies to be altered before you take them home, but there are always plenty to be adopted, of all ages, sizes, colors and temperments.

5. Look at www.petfinder.com too, for bunnies listed for adoption. The prices might be higher if you find one through a rescue group. Check the free classifieds first.

Tips & Warnings

• Research bunnies before you take one in. They are very heat sensitive and have to be kept in a shady area or they'll overheat and die. They also eat hay, which is messy! And their cages require daily cleaning out.

• Bunnies can be litterbox trained, so having some time each day to let your bunny hop around your kitchen with the litterbox out can be fun for you and the rabbit.

• Bunnies like to chew everything, so watch out for any phone wires. Those taste the best.

Resources

• Petfinder
• Pet Harbor
• Craig's List