Adoption Information
The following information is requested so that we can assist you in the selection of a house rabbit companion. This application and consultation with a BWF adoption counselor is designed to help us determine if the adoption is in the rabbit's best interest and to assist you in finding the rabbit's most compatible with your lifestyle. Rabbits are highly social-they are happiest when living with other rabbits as an integrated part of their families' lives and surroundings. Therefore rabbits are housed inside ONLY and require 5 to 8 hours of playtime daily.
Please visit this link to watch an extraordinary 5 minute long video entitled "Is a Rabbit the Right Pet for You?" A Video by the Marin Humane Society
In order to be considered as an adopter you must:
- Be able and willing to provide an indoor, loving, safe and peaceful environment for your rabbits.
- Be financially stable and willing to provide all necessary medical care.
- Be committed to the health and welfare of the rabbit for his/her lifetime (an average of 8-10 years) regardless of lifestyle changes such as divorce, moving, etc.
- Be aware that we DO NOT adopt rabbits to children-all members of the household should visit the prospective rabbit and apply for adoption.
- Be aware that we DO NOT place rabbits in a home with an un-neutered or un-spayed rabbit.
- Be willing to agree to a home visit and consultation by one of our adoption counselors prior to the adoption.
- Agree to an undefined adoption fee (per rabbit) which is used to pay for our rabbits' spay, neuter and medical care OR commit in writing to spay/neuter yourself.
- Be willing to agree to a follow-up home visit within 1-2 months of the adoption date.
- Agree to our Adoption Policies.
Thank you for wanting to give a rabbit a safe and loving home. Our primary goal at BWF is education-the purpose of the initial visit is to help facilitate a good match between a bunny and your family's needs and comfort levels. Please complete the application and send via email to: info@bunnyworldfoundation.org, Attention: Adoptions.
Adoption Policies
- Primary Caregiver. When a rabbit is adopted from Bunny World Foundation (BWF), the primary caregiver must be a responsible adult. The rabbit should be treated as an integral part of the family, i.e., no group ownership (such as a classroom pet). WE DO NOT adopt rabbits as pets for children. The rabbit must be wanted by the entire family.
- Indoor Housing. Adopters of Bunny World Foundation rabbits must understand that our rabbits are to live as household companions. This means that they must have their primary living space indoors, and must spend every night indoors. During the daytime, adopters can allow their rabbits outdoor daytime exercise. If this is the case, the rabbit must be provided with an area with secure fencing, and adequate supervision. Fosterers may require additional safety precautions appropriate to their locale.
- Social Requirements. If the rabbit is going to be alone (i.e. without the company of people, a cat or other household pets) for the majority of the time, then we recommend that the adopter adopt a second rabbit as a companion to the first.
- Neutering. Sexually immature rabbits of mixed sexes can be adopted together as long as the adopter agrees to separate them when the males are 3 ‡ months old and to neuter them as soon as the testicles have descended (usually around 4 months). Except for medical reasons, females are to be spayed within 30 days of reaching 6 months old. These same requirements exist even when an adopter has only adopted a single immature rabbit. Even when the rabbit will live alone, spaying and neutering after sexual maturity is still required.
- Returns: If there are such problems with the adopted rabbit that the adopter needs to return the rabbit, we ask that you give the fosterer some advance notice. Some common sense and courtesy is expected. Once an animal is adopted from Bunny World Foundation, the space vacated is usually filled within a day. A return requires two preparations: a space must be opened by a new adoption, and another rabbit must be " bumped" from the rescue list at the animal shelter. Nevertheless, all rabbits adopted from this foster home must be returned to this foster home in case of insurmountable problems.
- Exchange: Bunny World Foundation does not exchange bunnies. Exceptions may be made when the fosterer and adopter are working together on making a match between an adoptee and a pre-residing rabbit AND in the fosterer's judgment, a different match would be less stressful to the animals.