Worried about cross-country move with rabbit/ has anyone flown with rabbits

[jayne fine]

After having my Bun for two years, I’m now finding myself in a situation where I worry I am not doing the best thing for her by keeping her.  This should be a warning of how much life can chance in your late teens/early 20’s, to those thinking of getting a pet at this age.

I got this rabbit in college, when I fully intended to stay there for another two years to finish school and then live home for a year while I saved.  I had to leave school due to health reasons, and decided to transfer after realizing how much I hated it.  Initially I was planning to go into Horse Training, but after a bad fall that no longer seemed like a good idea and so I decided I wanted to go into dog training.  Unfortunately, the school I’ve decided to go to happens to be across the country in CA (I live in NY).

Right now, Millie is about 3 or 4 and is in good health.  She hasn’t had any major health problems and has proven to be an OK traveler (in college I had to smuggle her home in a carrying case inside of a vented/unzipped duffel bag on a 10 hour drive)- she never got sick after these trips and didn’t seem to display any lasting stress from them.

I have to fly out to CA for this move, and as well as the rabbit I also have a dog.  Most airlines only allow 4 pets per flight, so I’m worried about finding a flight I can bring both the bun and the dog on.  I do have another person flying out with me, so one can have the rabbit as a carry-on and one can have the dog as a carry-on.  That said, I am worried about finding a flight that will allow me to bring both of them, and don’t want to risk the bun flying in the carrier as a checked bag.

I’m also a little worried about what will happen to the bun when I graduate, at which time I worry she may be too old to fly with, even in the cabin, which would be a problem if I need to move back to NY.

Both my parents are trying to get me to either re-home her or leave her with them.  I don’t want to re-home her, but worry its unfair to keep her if I could find her a home where she’d do better.  They’re willing to foster her until a home is found as well, but we all know how long a rabbit can sit in a shelter, especially an older one.  She’s a very good bun, and definitely pretty adoptable (cute and likes people, though doesn’t like to be held), but I’m someone who thinks when you take on a pet you’re committing to their whole life.  I am considering leaving her with them, housed in a large playpen, and paying for her vet bills until my future become a little clearer (and hopefully I am able to eventually bring her out to live with me).  I may also take her over now, and then re-evaluate in a few months after the move if I feel her life is fair.

So, I’m looking for experience and advice.  Had anyone had experience carrying rabbits on airlines?  At what point do you feel it’s inconsiderate to keep an animal so you don’t feel bad?

[jayne fine]

So, still curious about people’s experiences flying w rabbits, but I have decided on short term leaving my bun with my parents. I’ll have a large playpen and ask them to let her out as often as possible, minimum a few times a week and stopping to give her some attention every day. She’ll get fed right, and I’ll see her when I come home for holidays. Ultimately I think it’ll be better than bringing her and exposing her to multiple large, young, possibly dangerous dogs that I’ll be training for school, and the program is only 2 years. When I’m more sure about my long-term situation I can make a more informed decision about whether or not to bring her out with me, or if I’ll need to move her more than once, etc.

[Q8bunny]

Your post shows that you care about this bun enough to put her ahead of yourself.
I’m afraid I have no flying experience with my bun, but in terms of options, I would want my darling to be left with people who care about him. So while it’s wonderful that your parents can provide good care for your little one, I have to ask: are they fond of your bun? Because if yes, then she will sense it and likely be happy even with more limited freedom/human contact. The question wouldn’t have crossed my mind, except that you mentioned she’s good with people but will only be allowed out of her pen a few times a week.
It’s a difficult situation with no easy solutions, and I hope everything works out for both you and your little girl.

[rudytherat]

Not sure if you’re still looking for help on this, but I’ll post just in case and for others. We flew from CA to PA with our cat and rabbit a few years ago. Our rabbit was about 3-4 years old then. He did not the ride and didn’t eat at all that day, but after we arrived and got him settled into his cage he settled down and was eventually fine. The cat was about the same. She hid for a day or two under the bed, but eventually got over it. Good luck!

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