A Secret Santa gift! Wow, that is just irresponsible of the other person to give as a gift in the first place – that’s the person who is at fault in this whole situation not the owner in my opinion.

I don’t see why she cannot take the rabbit to Texas – many, many people have traveled very successfully with rabbits in the car. It takes a little longer but it’s not at all impossible.

I think if your mother would allow you to keep her the current owner would agree but that is obviously something you and your mother would have to work out.

I am willing to bet the owner will be more than willing to part with Spinner. How can you forget to give the Sitter your bunny’s cage? This person is clueless and as the rabbit was given as a Secret Santa gift (UNBELIEVEABLE!!!) I can understand why they really don’t know how to care for a bun. If you present the information as, look at what I learned about the care of rabbits and look at all I have done to act on what I have learned, who knew!? You may be able to see from the response if she will hand Spinner over.

I don’t think you are worrying to much, I would be the same way in your shoes. You have made such an effort to do the right thing, including getting the information for the owner. She may realize what is needed and make the effort to care for Spinner. She may realize that her life style is not right for keeping a rabbit at this time and may let you keep him. And if I remember all your post, your mom seemed ready and able to help you find a pen for him and seemed supportive of all your efforts to do the right thing. So she may be receptive to your sitting down and discussing all the research and effort you put in to caring for him, how he has become part of the household and how well his training is going under your care.

The biggest issue would be veterinary care. The expense, finding a rabbit vet, neuter or spaying cost. I am not sure how old you are, early teens? Do you babysit for money or have other jobs that you can help with the upkeep? Offering to help with the payments will show your mom that you mean business and are being sincere in you commitment to Spinner.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the owner and your mom will see that you are the one to care for Spinner.

first off, i want to apologize to you again for my outburst the other night.  it was most definitely not called for.

i understand your concerns.  i am worried for Spinner, and i’m not even the one who has been responsible for her these past weeks.  if you want to keep her, and you think you would be able to handle the responsibility full-time (now that you know a little better what it entails), i think you should ask your mother *FIRST*  if you would be allowed to have Spinner.  and your mother would need to know that it would not be inexpensive.    there is no point in asking the owner for permission to keep her, if your mom is just going to turn around and veto the idea right off.  you’ll end up even more heartbroken in the end.  if your mom says that is okay, you could let the owner know that you had fun caring for Spinner and If she ever decides she does not want or cannot care for her, you’d love to have her.  she may give you Spinner, or she may not.  it is her decision.  this at least leaves it open in her mind that there is a place Spinner could go if she decides to not keep her, rather than leaving her at a shelter or (gasp) setting her in the wild.

these are things she needs to be aware of.  rabbits poop and they chew.  oftentimes (but not always) marking and destructiveness subside after spaying.  tell her that it would be necessary for Spinner to be fixed, but that will make her an even better addition to the family, plus cut down on future health problems.

please share this information with your mom.  please.  we all want you and Spinner and your mom to have all the best.  your mom  needs to have the facts, you need to have your mother’s support, and Spinner needs a family that will take the very best care of her.

even if you cannot keep Spinner, it won’t be the end of the world.  there will always be more rabbits that need loving homes.  you may need to wait until you’re older, but that time will come before you know it.

Bigsis, I am so sorry your mom said no and surprised that she is thinking about you fostering. I may be wrong, but it seems to me fostering is harder than having animals in and out of your lives. Your own animal becomes accustomed to the household, but fosters are a new learning experience every time. Not to mention, fostering can sometimes turn into a long commitment. Did your mom mean pet sitting?

The next best thing you can do for Spinner is sit down with the owner and voice your concerns. If you remain calm, keep to the facts and ask politely how will fit in with her school schedule, I would not worry about the age difference. If she realizes that Spinner may not be the pet for her at this time, you can offer to help find a family that would care for him. Do you have other family or friends that are animal people that would be open to having Spinner? With the parents permission of course.

As Beka said, there will always be bunnies in need of a good home. In time you will be in a position to help those bunnies in the way you want but for now you can help in so many other ways.

Depending on the rescue, fostering can be a very good way to find out if a rabbit really suits your lifestyle and how well one would do in your home.  Most rescues will cover the expenses of spay/neuter and any vet bills that might come up while you are fostering, and if you negotiate up front there can be a limited period of time that you are responsible for the bunny (say 3 or 6 months).  Some will even give you the basics for a bunny (Xpen, crocks, litterbox, etc) so your initial cash outlay is minimal.  You will have to pay for food (hay, pellets and greens) and litter, as well as committing to spending time socializing the bunny.

As you have discovered, new bunnies mark a lot, but after a few weeks this should happen less often.  Let us know what you decide to do.

i’m sorry Bigsis.  i know you’re disappointed.  that is interesting that your mother is not completely opposed to fostering.  i imagine that she would have to be the one responsible for the rabbit, i don’t think that a rescue would allow you to be the "official" foster.  what else did she say about fostering?