3 Rabbits found-are they bonded?

[bunnylove10]

I found 3 rabbits dumped in the woods and I have them in a large x-pen at my house right now. They are constantly cuddling together and they act concerned if one bun is taken out of the pen to cuddle with me. They seem to get along most of the time and they groom each other and snuggle together. So, I figured that meant they were bonded.

BUT- the large male keeps mounting the other two females and is chasing them around the pen. It has actually caused some fights to happen in the past couple of days between the three of them. I’m worried someone will get hurt or pregnant and I’m trying to find them homes. I am trying to figure out a way to separate them being that I only have one x-pen right now. 

They need altered right away when adopted but what I’m wondering is-are these rabbits bonded? Do they need to stay together when adopted or can they be separated in different homes? Getting help from you guys would be wonderful so that I know how the adopting process should go. If they can be separated it would make finding them homes easier. I just don’t want to cause any emotional pain for them if they are separated. The rescue centers in my area are at capacity and cannot take them so it’s up to me to find them homes. I just want to be sure it’s done right and they either stay together or get separated based on what you guys think.

Thanks! 

[Hazel]

First of all: separate them NOW! You said you only have one x-pen, but you gotta find some way to do it, or you will have a litter (or two) on your hands. If they are all intact, chances are the females are already pregnant, but separate them anyway. Are you going to get them fixed before adopting them out? If not, they can’t be adopted together. If they’re allowed to spend anymore time together, they WILL breed if they haven’t already. Also, unaltered rabbits are unpredictable in their behavior and can start fighting for no reason.

[bunnylove10]

Okay I will separate them. I will go buy another x-pen and put the females in that one this afternoon. No, I can’t afford to alter them before adopting them out-that will be up to the person who adopts them.

[bunnylove10]

You don’t think they are bonded at all and they will be depressed if they are adopted off separately? 

[Hazel]

Are you absolutely sure those two are females? Rabbits are very hard to sex correctly, if one of them is in fact a male you could still end up with an accidental litter. And as I said, even same sex rabbits shouldn’t be housed together if they are intact because their hormones make them unpredictable and they could fight and injure each other. Especially females can get very territorial with each other. I know it’s a pain for you to house everyone separately right now, but I would strongly advice that you do just that to keep everybun safe.

Intact rabbits don’t really bond, they mostly worry about procreation, other than that their bond will be very superficial. They can’t form a true and lasting bond before getting fixed. So I wouldn’t worry too much about separating them at this point. It’s the best thing to do for them. I don’t think you should adopt them out together if they won’t get fixed first, unless you know the person taking them very well and can be sure they will get them fixed and won’t put them together before that.

Make sure you tell any potential adopters that the females HAVE to get fixed no matter what, intact females have a 85% risk of developing reproductive cancer by age 3. If it can get done soon enough any potential pregnancy could be terminated with an emergency spay. I would advice to get the male fixed as well, but that is more for behavioral reasons.

[Bam]

It would of course be ideal to adopt all three of them off to the same new owner, but the likelihood of finding a person that will take them all is probably low.
For now you need to separate them though, or they will breed.

[bunnylove10]

I COMPLETELY agree. Thank you so much for the great information and support.

I really do hope you are right about the bonding thing, Hazel. I sure would hate to see them separated and then suffer emotional pain from being adopted to separate homes. Bam, I agree that it would be ideal to keep them together but maybe it is just hormones making them look bonded but they really aren’t? I know a lot of people get two buns at a time. I guess the only way to tell is after they are altered? The male is going nuts right now in his pen because he is separated. 

I just separated all three of them and now they are all in 3 separate x pens. My whole living room is taken over by buns now! haha. I was thinking of just breaking down and bringing them into the Humane Society here in MN. It just scares me because I’m the type of person that wants to be sure they go to the best homes possible. I want them to be spoiled and not kept in cages, etc. Unfortunately, the humane society can’t keep me updated on their status or who they go to. They did tell me that they only have a “conversation” with the owners to be and don’t have an extensive application process. I am just worried for the buns because they deserve the world.

I know it might make me sound like a crazy controlling woman but I just want the best for every bun. In this case, it seems as if the humane society may be the best bet because they will alter them before adoption. They do euthanize there, so that would be a risk as well. But, I have to think in terms of the best for the buns if I can’t find anyone to adopt them off to before I bring them in next week. (I have an appointment for the end of next week in case I haven’t found anyone for them before then).

[LopLover]

Bunnylove10,

I just wanted to pop in and say I really admire you for taking the time and consideration to find these found buns some good homes, rather than unloading them on the humane society where they may not get the best care or be adopted out to rabbit savy families. That’s really caring of you. =]

[bunnylove10]

Posted By LopLover on 7/16/2015 11:33 AM

Bunnylove10,

I just wanted to pop in and say I really admire you for taking the time and consideration to find these found buns some good homes, rather than unloading them on the humane society where they may not get the best care or be adopted out to rabbit savy families. That’s really caring of you. =]

Thank you so much for saying that-it means a lot! It’s so nice to have someone that appreciates the effort I put in

[Bam]

I too think it’s very good of you to take them in. It’s very sad when people tire of their pets and just “set them free”.

[Hazel]

Sorry I didn’t say it before, but I agree that it is very kind of you to take them in and try to find homes for them. If only everyone cared that much.

They do seem to be “bonded” as far as unaltered rabbits go, they snuggle and are used to each others company. But even in the short time you’ve had them you’ve witnessed mounting, chasing and fighting. Separating them really is what’s best. As bam said, if you found someone willing to take them all, have them fixed and then go through the process of rebonding them, that would be wonderful. They might miss each other and that’s unfortunate, but sometimes you just have to do what’s best for them in the long run. Keeping them together simply isn’t an option, unless you find the perfect owner.

[Author]

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