Just ahead of the Easter holiday, the Vanderburgh Humane Society would like to remind the public to always adopt rather than buying bunnies from pet stores. VHS is currently overrun with rabbits, with nearly 30 up for adoption, and there is zero reason to buy one from a pet store when you can get a fixed and microchipped rabbit from VHS for only $50!
Why are there so many rabbits?
Rabbits are typically popular “gifts†for children around the Easter holiday. Most pet stores and farm supply stores sell baby rabbits and other small, cute animals to take advantage of this sales trend. Unfortunately, many people end up surrendering or selling these rabbits within months of purchasing them because they were not prepared for the kind of care and/or equipment that rabbits require.
Additionally, it is very difficult to determine the gender of young rabbits. Sometimes, through no fault of their own, sales staff at these establishments have no idea if rabbits are males or females and often send home pairs of opposite genders by accident. Since rabbits reach sexual maturity at anywhere from 5-8 months of age, many new rabbit owners end up with accidental litters that they must then surrender to shelters. Rabbit litters can have anywhere from 4-12 kits.
Female rabbits can get pregnant again within minutes of giving birth because they are induced ovulators. Rabbits’ gestation periods are roughly 30 days. This means that theoretically, if an unaltered male and female are kept together, they could produce 4-12 bunnies every month or so. This adds up, and quickly. Healthy and socialized rabbits can live for 8-10 years if properly cared for. This means that even if a rabbit is a gift for a child, it will live until they’re in college or even after depending on the child’s age. Parents need to be sure that they themselves also want a rabbit since the parent WILL end up taking care of the rabbit. Eventually, the kids will likely lose interest.
If your entire family is truly ready for a bunny companion, the VHS has almost 30 up for adoption right now. Bunnies like Dexter, pictured, who was part of a litter of 8 born to a “stray” pregnant rabbit turned loose outside.
Basic rabbit care
Apart from accidental litters, many rabbits are surrendered to shelters due to behavioral issues. Providing your rabbit with proper housing, exercise, and toys will keep it mentally stimulated and healthy, and help you avoid behavior problems.
Rabbits can be trained to use a litterbox.
- They require several hours of exercise outside their cage every day.
- Provide your rabbit with a box filled with soil or shredded paper to dig in.
- Provide your rabbit safe things to chew on, such as phone books, cardboard boxes, timothy hay, or commercial chew sticks sold at most pet stores.
- Spayed & neutered rabbits do a lot less spraying and are less territorial. All VHS bunnies are fixed in-house prior to going home.
In our culture, traditional housing for a rabbit has mostly been an outdoor hutch made of wood and wire mesh. Proper housing for a pet rabbit is an indoor cage at least 4 feet wide, 2 feet tall, and 2 feet deep. The bottom must be solid, because mesh or wiring can ulcerate rabbits’ feet. Never leave your rabbit outside unattended, even for a moment! Predators such as hawks, foxes, or even neighborhood dogs & cats could be watching closely nearby.
How you can help
If you are considering bringing a rabbit into your home and have done the research to determine that your family is ready for this social and inquisitive pet, then don’t shop: please adopt! The Vanderburgh Humane Society is the only animal rescue organization in the Evansville area that regularly houses and adopts out rabbits long-term. VHS also takes rabbits from smaller shelters as needed that don’t have the capacity to care for them.
Rabbit adoption fees at VHS are $50 which includes the spay/neuter surgery and registered microchip. You will also be adopting a rabbit that has been handled and socialized daily. VHS animal care staff are prepared to educate you on proper rabbit care, equipment, handling, and health so that you and your new companion can enjoy life to the fullest together. The shelter currently has rabbits of multiple ages, breeds, genders, and colors to choose from! Browse available rabbits at www.vhslifesaver.org/adopt.
