I think it’s time to move on from pictures to dating. Do you have a shelter nearby? If so, go over and ask to meet several different bunnies of different breeds and see who you’re drawn to. You might be able to meet bunnies of different ages and temperaments as well. You don’t have to choose one immediately. Many people get a bunny that wasn’t exactly what they’d planned, but when they met they just knew it was “right.”

i would definitely check out a shelter or rescue near you. let the bunny choose you! baby bunnies are cute but they are a lot of work. for your first rabbit, it would be much easier to rescue an adult who is already trained and altered.

do you have a shelter within a few hours of you?  check what is close on petfinder.  if you have to drive to pick the bunny up anyways, you could drive to a shelter and meet a dozen bunnies all at once!

Many people when first choosing bunnies really want a tiny bunny – but I’m sure everyone on this site can give a testimonial about how you should also give the BIG bunnies a chance, for example Californians or New Zealand Whites. The large bunnies have really fun and chill personalities, and are a lot easier to snuggle and pet. My netherland dwarf is adorably cute and I love her, but I’m glad I have 6 other bunnies to snuggle because she rarely even tolerates pets from me! The tiny ones tend to be much more skittish. I love fostering the big ones because I can always scoop them up and bring them on the couch to watch TV!

Have you tried the website: http://www.petfinder.com ? Its a great site for finding rescue bunnies, and there might be some even closer than you think! Also, if you choose a rabbit rescue, if you do have to drive a couple hours, there will still be many options for you.

As a rule, the smaller the bun, the more nervous and skittish they are. If you are looking for a snuggle bunny, the medium to large breeds are a better choice. I’ve owned several mini-lops in the past (I have one now) and find them to be a really good choice. They are small enough to house and care for easily (mine is 4.12 lbs) but are, from my experience, quite relaxed and easy going. The one negative thing about them is they can sometimes have ear troubles like infections and need regular ear care.

It’s great you are doing research to make sure you find the right bun for you. I wish more people did that.

I’ve always wanted a big rabbit! It’s true, the big ones are squishy, huggable and full of love. I have a netherland dwarf (my avatar) and she is a little monster! Oh but I love her so, wouldn’t want her any other way!

i have a mini rex and she’s the love of my life. she can be quite rambunctious, and she thinks she owns the house (oh, okay. she DOES own the house!) a mini rex is about 3.5 to 4.5 pounds. there are regular rexes which are bigger, i think maybe 6-8 pounds?

i’d really worry less about breed and more about the individual bunny. it’s hard to say this breed is like that, that one is like this, b/c there are always exceptions. it’s more important to meet the bunny and make a decision then. adult rabbits will already have a set personality. baby bunnies are fair game. they will be cuddly at 2 months, but they might be terrors at one year.

and remember too, you really don’t ever need to “just pick one”. you can always get a companion for your first rabbit and they don’t have to be the same size or breed or even exact age. if rabbits really are the pet for you, you could possibly have a dozen of them (or more) in your lifetime. take your time.

definitely check out petfinder.com. You could also ask some local exotic vets, who may know of people with bunnies that had babies they need to find homes for.
I only had a “mini-rex” (so I was told) who was very loveable and Sooooo soft, and grew to an average of 6.5 lbs. (largest was 8 lbs.) He was not a cuddle bun, but he was fun and very sweet and Mr. Personality. I recommend them as a breed.

I love my rex, she is from the rabbit rescue in Dallas, I have never felt anything that soft. She has a very strong personality, but is more willing to cooperate and negotiate than Pringles.(a big black/white spotted something or other)

REX WARNING! Never rub your face against a molting rex when you’ve just put your makeup on!!

I would suggest you get an adult rabbit that is already spayed or neutered rather than a baby.

I feel certain that if you looked you could find one in your area or close to you that needs a home rather than getting a baby. Babies are more work than adults.

I would also suggest that you be open to any rabbit rather than any specific breed.

Babies are super cute!! BUT getting an animal that is already spayed/neutered saves you HUNDREDS of dollars, PLUS you usually don’t have to litter train them PLUS they don’t go through a teenage phase PLUS I think shelter rabbits really appreciate you more!!

I adopted my buns from a shelter. I highly recommend it!

I really had no idea about what type of breed or size I wanted.
I first met with 8 pairs of bunny’s! I narrowed it down to 3 pairs – my husband went with me and we met with those 3 pairs.

We ended up adopting Kay & Winston – a very shy pair – because Kay snuggled right into my lap & Winston purred and purred as soon as he was handed to my husband – they had never responded to people like that before.

We feel very lucky to have had the bunny’s pick us!

Don’t forget that even regular animal shelters have rabbits too.  You don’t need to just locate a rabbit only rescue.  I got all my bunnies from people looking to rehome on “craigslist”.  At our school, we had a netherland dwarf, English spotted, Lionhead, & mini-rex.  The lionhead & dwarf still reside w/ me.  W/ most rescues, you can get a very indepth perspective on their personality, which is always a plus. 

I find that the personality is really key…more so than the breed.  Though I do agree that the smaller the bun the more skittish.  I agree that bunny dating or even fostering prior to making your final decision is a great way to get to know a rabbit and experience caring for one first hand.

I’m really happy to hear you’re going to the shelter Yaaa!! Please let us know how it goes

Good luck at the shelther!

Yay for shelter bunnies!  And for the people who adopt from them!

When I first decided I wanted a rabbit, I did what it seems like a lot of people do, and assumed that a smaller bunny would be easier somehow.  And I did my research, and decided that I DESPERATELY wanted a little brown Mini Rex that looked just like it hopped in from the wild, like “Tonks” from this website.

And I went to the rabbit rescue, and they showed me every brown bunny they had, and were so happy I wanted a brown one, because I guess people tend to want the colorful ones, and the brown buns are harder to find homes for.  But one of the brown ones boxed at me, one ran from me, and I was very sad.  Then the shelter volunteer introduced me to Lizzy, and she binkied and jumped in my lap and demanded pets and played peekaboo…

And now I have a marshmallow with an attitude! 

Good for you for meeting some buns and not just choosing blindly from a paper…you’ll probably be much happier!

Great decision to visit a shelter – I’m sure Lightchick’s experience describes how it happens. Some lucky bunny may pick you this weekend!

Good luck at the shelter-let us know how you make out!!

Yeah! Can’t wait to hear the update!

Hi!  I’m also about to get a bunny, and have a follow-up question to this thread (which I found very helpful – thanks!).  I feel like I’ve heard varying (sometimes conflicting) things about choosing your bunny:

 - Some say bunny-date and pick the friendliest, while others say you won’t really know their personalities at the shelter, and they can really warm up once they get comfortable in their new home.  (Also I worry about choosing the most charming, because then who will adopt the shy or otherwise challenging buns?)

 - I’ve also heard that bigger = friendlier, and smaller = more skittish, and read personality profiles of different breeds — and at the same time have read that expecting personality to correlate with breed is a kind of rabbit racism (from an article on rabbit.org). 

Does anyone have thoughts on this?  Or any other advice on choosing a bunny (beyond this thread)? 

Some basics on my situation: I’m a grad student, currently poor, and in a very small apartment, so although I’d love to get a big bun after this stage (about 2 years from now, that is), there is a slight advantage to smaller bunnies in terms of food and space needs, for now. (I’d also love to get a second bunny later on, but will probably have to wait, also for money/space reasons.)  I’ve been “online dating” an adorable agouti Netherland Dwarf, and will meet her in about a week.  She’s 2, and currently described as shy but with lots of energy, a curious and fearless climber and jumper, who is just barely getting the hang of litterbox training.  I realize she sounds like a handful, but I’m an adventurous woman as well and I support it.  (;  However, I do confess I would love an affectionate bunny (in time, at least).  A cuddle bunny would be ideal.  (Also, I’ve been reading voraciously about bunny care, behavior, etc., and am building the bunny condo this weekend.) 

So I guess some of my basic questions are: Would a Netherland Dwarf definitely be too troublesome and skittish for a first-time bunny owner who’d like an affectionate bun, or might she really warm up in time?  And, how much attention should I pay to the personality/behavior that I see while “bunny dating” at the shelter?

Thanks for your thoughts! 

Meg

Hi Meg,

Since you mention you are a poor student right now then you might want to read the following link so you know what kind of costs a new rabbit will be for you:

binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/Costs/tabid/145/Default.aspx

I honestly don’t think that the size is going to have much bearing on the costs of a rabbit – if it is it will be minimal.

I think the greatest cost will be vet care and you never know when you will need to see a vet – no matter how seemingly healthy your rabbit appears.

As for Netherlands – I happen to love this breed, I think they are smart and tenacious and just downright cute.

For your first bunny, I would strongly evaluate what you are looking for and try to find that type of personality. You’re right that there are shy and skittish and difficult bunnies that may be harder to adopt out, but it’s not your responsiblity to save them. They would likely do better with a more experienced rabbit owner or by being adopted as a companion to an existing rabbit. There’s nothing wrong with saying “I want a friendlier rabbit” and searching one out. If litterbox habits are a big deal to you, there are many perfectly trained bunnies that get it and never make a mistake. Talk to the shelters and they will be able to tell you what the bunnies are like.

Bigger rabbits don’t necessarily need much more space than a dwarf. They all need daily exercise time and a large cage or condo. Up to about 5 or 6 pounds, the rabbits are going to be fed pretty comparable amounts to a 2 pound bunny and in general, the larger the bunny, the more calm they are. Of course, this is not true in every case, but that is why it’s so important to go to shelters and meet many different bunnies.

It’s great that you’re doing your research now. It is true that personalites in the shelter may not truly reflect the personality at home, but they should be pretty close. I’m kind of rambling now, but I hope this makes some sense to you. Please ask if you have any other questions…

Oh yes… VETS! How could I forget! I hope you are seeking shelters that have the buns already spayed and neutered. That will be a SUBSTANTIAL savings for you!

Hi Meg! Welcome to the bunny slave world.

That’s great you’re about to adopt a bun. I’m a fairly new owned-by-bunnies slave and don’t have much advice to offer, but I would get a mature bun, or at least one who is thoroughly past the terrible teenager stage.

I have one diva, Pringles, that was a very adorable, sweet baby, AND turned into the most challenging, demanding (non-bunny lover term would be: horrible) monster for months. She was finally spayed, which helped a bit, but it took the next year for her to grow up and settle down.

She’s now just past 2 years and has mellowed into a loving marshmallow. Anyone that had been around her during that turbulent time would not believe it is the same animal. Still demanding, yes, in charge of the house completely, but a loving, calm bunny who melts into a great big puddle when you pet her now, instead of trying to take off your arm 😉

So, although each bun is different, I guess i would suggest looking at buns at least 2 years old that have been fixed. Good luck!

And in the end, it will probably be the bun that picks you out!

Wow, thanks for your quick replies!    I really appreciate it.  Yes, I will get an adult, spayed/neutered bunny from a shelter… and yes, thanks, I’ve seen the cost sheet on this site — very helpful!  That’s the main reason I’m going to try to discipline myself to wait on bunny #2 until I finish school.  I appreciate your thoughts on size and breed, and in-shelter personality, too.    Thank you!  It sounds like I should be paying attention to the “click” I might feel upon meeting a bunny.  And if anyone else has more meditations on choosing a bunny, I’d love to hear them. 

I really think you should look for the click. I always tell people to keep an open mind when they go the shelters or rescues and see all the rabbits.

Also don’t think you have to decide right away – maybe you will want to go back a second time and visit your “choices” again. I think many times people are surprised by the rabbit they end up with. Photos on petfinders are nice but they aren’t the same as meeting the rabbits in real life and talking to the volunteers about the rabbits…volunteers are usually the best resources at the shelters since they spend time with the rabbits.

Having just spent 11 years in graduate school (2 Masters & now my Doctorate)….I understand the angst that you are about to put yourself through.  One of my best pet health investments has been my pet health insurance policies.  It costs me about $20/mos for 2 rabbits.  Their plan covers anything outside of well-care.  I spent boo-koo bucks on Leo’s teeth during the first 18 months I had him.  I would have saved alot of money had I had insurance coverage at that time….so just a thought for you.

My other thought is that if you believe you can afford your supplies, well-care, and monthly premiums you may find that a bonded pair is a good way to go.  That way you won’t feel so guilty when you are stuck at the library all night or have a whirl-wind study session.  Just an additional thought.  But please consider your budget.  I spent over $150K in student loans….only Obama can save me now

I’ve been “online dating” an adorable agouti Netherland Dwarf

hehehe!
Well, as corny as it sounds, if you’re looking, the bunny will find you! Ha, they find you even when your ‘not looking’. You’ll know. Definately, an already altered bunny will help you cost wise but also determining true personality.
Good Luck!!!

Thanks, all! The pet insurance thing is a good point – I wasn’t sure how much the premiums would be. Sadly, I may not even be able to afford the extra $1200 a year or so for just regular upkeep of a second bunny right now… but I work at home, so I’d be around a lot for Bun #1. I would like to get a second one once I can afford it regardless, if she seems interested, just for her own happiness. But the pet insurance tip will make that more possible… do they tend to have a pre-existing conditions clause, or can you wait and see if your bun has special needs (other than well care)?

And thanks, jerseygirl — I’m sooo excited for my first bunny to find me. : )

Thanks again!

I don’t have vet insurance (YET!) but I have called and researched it and they do not cover pre-existing conditions. When you adopt, you’ll want to ask how the bunny has been health-wise. You must have the bunny for a time period before you get insurance… 3 or 6 months maybe? It does not cover genetic conditions which include some teeth problems. It does not pay 100%, but it pays a good portion (betw/ 75-90% I think…)

A big money-saving tip for you is to use either wood stove pellets or horse stall bedding as litter. They come in 40 pound bags for about 6 or 7 dollars. I was using cell-sorb from the pet supply store (pressed paper pellets), those were $26 dollars for a 40 pound bag. I go thru a bag a month (approximately for two buns). So without doing anything extra, I save 20 bucks a month by using different litter. That’s 240 dollars a year!

I will caution that depending on where you live it may be hard to find wood stove pellets, they are seasonal, so what many people do are buy enough bags to last 9 months or one year until they are available again. If you are somewhere warmer, you may not be able to get them, but you should be able to find horse stall bedding. If you live in an urban area, call around on the outskirts. It is worth a drive, even an hour or so away, to save money on the litter… as long as you can buy enough to store and you’re not making the trip every month.

The question for me is never “how do you choose”, it’s more like “how do you refuse”. There are so many that I get attached to (Most recently Frankie, who found a fabulous home FINALLY). Before him it was a Flemmie named Mr. Big and before him it was a mutt bunny named Zinnea and before her it was a black lop named Jackie. Not to mention most of my fosters…especially Marshmallow, who came back to me because Digger chose her out of the 60 rabbits he had to pick from. Right now my favorite is a mini-lop named Milo. I want that rabbit in the worse way…but he’ll be an awesome first bunny for some nice family.

I would have a hundred bunnies if I could. I’d have about a hundred dogs too so I might be a little on the strange side…

It’s great you are thinking of a rabbit and even better you are open to which breed and where you get it!  I pretty much agree with the other members what they’ve been saying about different breeds.  I have also noticed the smaller the bunny, the more “napolean like” they can get.  They are not really cuddley and would rather be near you but not on your lap.  There are always exceptions to the rules but I think you should choose a bunny based on personality because whatever personality you put in the adorable furry little package is what you are going to live with for the next 5-10yrs.  I had an adorable, almost red, netherland dwarf named Sunshine.  She was SO beautiful and she was a baby when I got her.  At first, she was just skittish and nervous but after she got use to her surroundings she became agressive.  If i had her out of her cage in my bedroom and got up to walk around she would charge my feet and nip at them.  She would also lunge at my hands when i’d feed her.  I broke that after a few years by pushing her head down in a submissive position and she stopped lunging at me but if my mom or sister had to feed her she would lunge and bite.  However, I have a jersey wooley (which may be a good breed to look at too, angora like but 1/2 the hair)  who is our princess and rules the house.  She is very much the diva but is such a momma girl!  She is tiny line my Sunshine was but not nearly agressive and loves to be picked up for pets, it has to be on her terms though…she will let you know when she is done being loved. 

I do recommend however NOT going to a petstore.  My husband and I before we got married decided to purchase a bunny from a pet store.  We found baby bunnies are addictive and we ended up purchasing 3 more baby rabbits.  I owned a rabbit before  I met my husband so we had 5.  Then when we went into the pet store one more time there was an adult male stuck in a cage that was 20inch by 16 inch and had bird toys to play with.  We took him home on the spot after watching a little boy trying to grab him and pull him out of his cage.  He was so scared his eyes were so big i could see the whites all the way around!  To make a long story short, we found a home for the last one we got and he now lives as a king with another rabbit by a man and his family nearby.  Out of the 4 babies we purchased we have 2 left.  The first one, a jersey wooley runt had a jaw deformity which caused his teeth to be grown out and not be able to grind down.  Since he was only maybe 2lbs and SO tiny the vet was afraid of fracturing his jaw when she clipped and grinded his teeth.  We ended up having to put him down.  Our second rabbit was a rex/silver martin who had cronic jaw abcesses.  We had a first surgery, $700, to fix the abcess and implanted beads with medication in his jaw but less than 3 months later he had another abcess that went septic and he past away in my arms.  When we went back to the pet store to tell them their rabbits are having so much problems we were offered a “replacement if the 2nd one dies”.  Moral of the story  is you don’t know where these bunnies are coming from and the careless breeding going on with it.  There are so many adult bunnies in need of homes and they will love you just as much as a baby!  Good luck!  I hope you find your bunny charming!

 WOW!!! It’s so good to see so many people making educated decisions about getting a pet, I see people everyday just jump up run out and say “I’m getting a (insert animal here) today!! That is just the wrong way to do things, and thats why we have some many unwanted animals in shelters today!!! Thank you all for being responsible pet owners!!!!!! 

Thanks! It’s funny… I started looking two weeks ago, and when I found out I couldn’t meet my online bunny crush (my current avatar, May) until May 9th, I was so impatient… but now I’m realizing it was going to take at least that long anyway to prepare, read up, gather the right supplies, build the condo and playpen, etc.

p.s. I like your signature, oreosmommy!

 Thanks! 

Yeah, its hard to be patient when you see those cute little faces! I know I’m getting impatient about getting oreo a new playmate, but I have to be, I want him to be neutered first, and for at least a month, and then take him bunny dating too. Having the right supplies is critical for certain. I was lucky when I found I was going to be getting oreo, I had fostered a bunny once for about a week, and her new mommy had already had everything she needed, so I had everything in storage from before, except for food, and hay of course. Oreo was orginally going to be a foster too…but well, he stole my heart, and he has it forever! 

I wouldn’t be too concerned about breed or color.  Like others have said, you’ll know when you find “the one.”  My bunny gets called an “ugly bunny” (I beg to differ) but he wins the hearts of all that he meets.

Since I rent, good litter box habits were probably one of the most important things I needed in my bunny, so I really couldn’t risk an imperfect bunny no matter how cute.  In that department I ended up hitting the jackpot – I got him at about a year old and he’s pretty much perfect with it.  The only “misses” have been right next to the litter box and were easily wiped up.

He’s medium-sized and my apartment is SMALL, so I can certainly attest to the statement that the size of the bunny need not correspond to the size of the apartment – although a French Lop or Flemmish Giant might be a bit much.  It took a little furniture rearranging to get enough space for his NIC cage, bit it all worked out.
 

I know many people go back & forth w/ pet insurance.  Some decide it’s easier to just save up the cash each month on the side…here’s my input.

My ex husband was a vet nurse.  We basically rec’d vet services at cost w/ physicals always free.  It was a good deal.  As he moved up the food chain professionally, he ended up at a speciality referral practice w/ emergency services.  So we were set w/ pet care or so I thought.  In our divorce agreement, he was to ALWAYS provide veterinary care for our mutual pets.  Needless to say, I got tired of having to deal w/ him and his drama, so I decided I’d rather pay out of pocket for the pets’ care.  LSS…Max became hyperthyroid and post tx chronic issues and Phoebe became a diabetic.  Their cost has been major out o’pocket $$$.  If I had started paying for insurance when I first got them (young & healthy), these issues would have been paid for to a point.  Just like people insurance.

I had pre-existing conditions on both my rabbits:  Teeth and some bogus wound care thing.  As long as they had no issues w/in their initial 6mos (?) they would be covered for these conditions.  Both passed that time period, also w/ the cooperation of my vet, so now those issues are covered.  One of my cats developed early renal disease, I’d say I’ve gotten about 60% back on his tests & care.  That’s still waaaay better than if I had to do it all myself.  So I support the pet insurance thing and always recommend it.

Can’t wait to hear about your new bunny mate!  It’s very exciting, the dating process.

I also have to just add something about the insurance.   My pet insurance only costs $114/year for one bunny.   It is great.  For example – when Rucy was treated for pneumonia, xrays included etc, the vet bill came to over $500, and VPI (my pet insurance) covered 90%. There is a $50 dollar deductible. Pet insurance has saved me tons of $$ over the years. Well worth it, more than I have paid out.  Some things they cover a less percentage but I know no lower than 70%.

Did you go bunny dating?  How did it all work out?  I am dying to find out since I won’t be getting any buns  until the end of the month, so I have to live vicariously through those that are getting buns now…

Hope that everything worked out great for you! 
On a side note:  Do you apply for the insurance through your veterinarian?

Hi all – thank you so much for the advice!  Insurance sounds like a great option for me since I’m a student… and I would *never* skimp on care for financial reasons.  Thanks!  But wait, you apply through your vet?  Or through VPI?  What would you suggest?  I’d heard you have to wait 3-6 months after adopting to enrol your bunny… is that true?  Or do you start the paperwork right away?

I did go bunny dating yesterday, and it was great!  My partner noticed this adorable, spunky Dutch-Lionhead mix who I really, really liked.    Instead of classic Dutch markings, she has these crazy zigzaggy white stripes all down just one side!  : D  Awesome.  She let me pet her in her cage for a while, and then they had her sit on my lap in a chair (unfortunately they didn’t have a pen or anything), and she was very sweet… and after a few minutes started turning around to sniff me, and rearranging the towel on my lap : )  I just have to meet this Netherland Dwarf (my avatar right now) in another rescue on Saturday – so I’ll either get her, or go right back to this other rescue and get the one I met yesterday.    I can’t wait! 

Who are you getting at the end of the month?  Do you know?

I was going to get a Flemish Giant at the end of the month and an english lop, but found out the english lops are really mutts…and may not look like the english lop.  Well long story short  I fell in love with a new zealand especially after the breeder told me they sell them for meat!  I may still be getting the flemmie depending, but after talking to the breeder and specifying what I wanted and having them tell me that yes they had four available they have yet to respond to when I would be able to go and get her so… we will see.  So far I am definately getting a New Zealand, and if the flemmie doesn’t work out then I will be waiting for the people that I am getting the new zealand from to breed their english lops again and get one of those babies.  SOOOO a new zealand will be here at the end of the month!  I will post pics when I get her.

WOW…I thought that you would be coming home with one today!  You will have to keep us updated!  When are you going to look at the next one?

Wow! Flemish Giants, English Lops, New Zealands — all sound awesome!! I want them all. (; But hey, is there a rescue or shelter near you? There are so many bunnies who need homes (those breeds included)…

A thought on mutts: this is just my own idea, not researched, but I feel like mixed breeds might be hardier, because genetic diversity is generally healthier (and inbreeding histories can be a risk with purebreds; it’s hard to know). On that point, I’m kind of leaning toward the mix bunny, between the two I’m considering, because I think she’d be healthier (plus I’d worry about tooth malocclusion in Netherland Dwarves, and I’ve heard sometimes insurance doesn’t cover that kind of thing, and I’m poor).

So yeah, on Saturday morning I meet the Netherland Dwarf, and then I’ll either adopt her or the mix on that day.

Posted By Meg on 05/04/2009 06:41 PM
Wow! Flemish Giants, English Lops, New Zealands — all sound awesome!! I want them all. (; But hey, is there a rescue or shelter near you? There are so many bunnies who need homes (those breeds included)…

A thought on mutts: this is just my own idea, not researched, but I feel like mixed breeds might be hardier, because genetic diversity is generally healthier (and inbreeding histories can be a risk with purebreds; it’s hard to know). On that point, I’m kind of leaning toward the mix bunny, between the two I’m considering, because I think she’d be healthier (plus I’d worry about tooth malocclusion in Netherland Dwarves, and I’ve heard sometimes insurance doesn’t cover that kind of thing, and I’m poor).

So yeah, on Saturday morning I meet the Netherland Dwarf, and then I’ll either adopt her or the mix on that day.

Yup, I saw this one disturbing documentary on inbreeding depression that the BBC made. It was about dogs, but still…

Documentary – BBC – Pedigree Dogs Exposed

My bunny picked me!

I had done my homework and knew I didn’t want to deal with a baby.  No amount of cuteness for me would make up for the puberty psychosis!  Plus I knew that EVERYONE wants the cute babies, so I asked the shelter to introduce me to some older females.  I knew it woudl be harder to gain their trust but also figured they might be a bit more forgiving of my minor mistakes than a fragile baby.

The shelter set me up in an X-pen with a small handful of parsely within reach and brought the buns in one by one.  Most would accept the treat and then move out of reach to chew it.  Pepper (her name was Annabelle Lee at the time) moved out of range but actually laid down with feets stretched out.  Kind of like “ok – this one will do”.

Wow! Flemish Giants, English Lops, New Zealands — all sound awesome!! I want them all. (; But hey, is there a rescue or shelter near you? There are so many bunnies who need homes (those breeds included)…

A thought on mutts: this is just my own idea, not researched, but I feel like mixed breeds might be hardier, because genetic diversity is generally healthier (and inbreeding histories can be a risk with purebreds; it’s hard to know). On that point, I’m kind of leaning toward the mix bunny, between the two I’m considering, because I think she’d be healthier (plus I’d worry about tooth malocclusion in Netherland Dwarves, and I’ve heard sometimes insurance doesn’t cover that kind of thing, and I’m poor).

I did look at the shelters in my area and I just responded to a comment of this effect on a different thread. The shelters in my area don’t deal much with the rabbits and when I went to look at some of them I was basically brushed off, they read me the cards on the outside of the cages and I just don’t want to get myself into something that I can’t handle.

I already went through the bunny puberty with one bunny years ago (he sadly passed on) , so I know what I am getting into with a baby. The people with the New Zealand ended up falling through, but the other person that I was speaking to with the flemmie kits ended up having one that the potential buyers never showed up for so I guess this is going to be the one coming home. I have a huuuge place for it to run around in (not at first of course) and I am in the process of bunny proofing now.

I’m soo glad that you found a bun that was right for you!  You will have to post pics once you have her. What does she look like?

I would never discourage anyone from rescuing a rabbit from being slaughtered- but since these rabbits are not bred for longevity  the breeder would be unaware of most genetic health issues since the rabbits are not long lived at all.   It makes me sad to think about it

Pet insurance does vary from state to state so you will have to call and check what relates to your state.  I adopted a bunny in January- and he was listed at about a year and a half old by the Humane Society.  I just enrolled him for pet insurance- I had to sign something saying he had no medical conditions that I was aware of-  and that the last and only time I was aware of that he saw a vet was on 12/2/08 when he was neutered by the HS vet.  They also called me to verify this and recorded the phone call and made sure I was aware that any misinformation invalididated any claims- and I had to give them permission to access his medical records.  I could have enrolled him earlier- but my husband was not working- so I made that as an excuse.  But when I was driving one of my bunnies to an exotics vet over 1/2 hour away from my house I was chewing myself out for not getting insurance for her.  So I resolved that I was going to get Schroeder insurance ASAP- because it is not a case of not being able to afford it-  it is more like I can’t afford NOT to have the insurance.  I think there is a 2 week waiting time from when you apply and are approved to when insurance coverage starts.  (But again that could vary by state law also).

I have had insurance on Cotton for over a year without any claims- and I don’t regret it at all.  I think it is great that she has not been ill or had any bonding scuffles that prompted her to need vet care. 

Posted By KatnipCrzy on 05/05/2009 10:29 PM

I would never discourage anyone from rescuing a rabbit from being slaughtered- but since these rabbits are not bred for longevity  the breeder would be unaware of most genetic health issues since the rabbits are not long lived at all.   It makes me sad to think about it

However much truth there may be in that statement (and truthfully, I have no idea), that line of thinking seems like putting too much thought into such an open-ended variable to me.  From what I’ve seen it just seems that some buns are meant to live forever while others, sadly, are destined for much shorter lives, no matter their background or quality of care.  Just a couple weekends ago I met an 11-year-old New Zealand who shoulda been a meat rabbit.  He’s a bit slow in his old age, but obviously hardy and well-loved by his owner.  When your instict tells you you’ve found your rabbit, I don’t think any other variables should get in the way.

Posted By KatnipCrzy on 05/05/2009 10:29 PM
However much truth there may be in that statement (and truthfully, I have no idea), that line of thinking seems like putting too much thought into such an open-ended variable to me. From what I’ve seen it just seems that some buns are meant to live forever while others, sadly, are destined for much shorter lives, no matter their background or quality of care. Just a couple weekends ago I met an 11-year-old New Zealand who shoulda been a meat rabbit. He’s a bit slow in his old age, but obviously hardy and well-loved by his owner. When your instict tells you you’ve found your rabbit, I don’t think any other variables should get in the way.

I fully agree with this. I understand why most people seem to be pushing for the shelter bunnies, but I just do not live close enough to one that is going to be of much help to me. I went to the one close by and they were so very frustrating and unhelpful. Many many people get their bunnies from breeders, and honestly, I would much rather see responsible people that even considered shelter bunnies first buy from a breeder rather than going to a pet store. I hadn’t even catered to that idea… not once. I just feel that I am being somewhat looked down upon for wanting to purchase a baby from a breeder. (maybe reading too much into it)

Thanks for the pet insurance tip, everyone!  I will definitely sign my bunny up (once the 60-day waiting period has passed).   I called VPI and they said it’d only be $10 or $12 a month, and I can easily cut that out of my expenses.  Even though I’m getting a young bunny and may not need it for a decade (knock on wood), I still think it’s worth it for the peace of mind.    thanks!!

Posted By BooLette on 05/06/2009 11:01 AM

I fully agree with this. I understand why most people seem to be pushing for the shelter bunnies, but I just do not live close enough to one that is going to be of much help to me. I went to the one close by and they were so very frustrating and unhelpful. Many many people get their bunnies from breeders, and honestly, I would much rather see responsible people that even considered shelter bunnies first buy from a breeder rather than going to a pet store. I hadn’t even catered to that idea… not once. I just feel that I am being somewhat looked down upon for wanting to purchase a baby from a breeder. (maybe reading too much into it)

I don’t think people were looking down on you for going to a breeder, but one of your comments made it seem like some of the breeder rabbits you were looking at wouldn’t do for you simply because they were mutts.

I think there is a place in the world for good, responsible breeders, but purebred rabbits from breeders are no more loving than any kind of rabbit from anywhere else.

As other people have mentioned, getting an older rabbit from a shelter/rescue has a lot of advantages: Already spayed/neutered, litter box trained (usually), past the “terrible 2s” and “teenager” stage, and you’re able to see the rabbit’s adult personality and demeanor (something that can change as a baby bunny goes through puperty).

But a shelter that doesn’t take good care of its rabbits isn’t necessarily going to give you these advantages.

I’m not sure where you live, but there might be other options available to you if you don’t find your rabbit match with the breeder.  Definitely try Petfinder.com and Craigslist.  You could also go to BunSpace.com and do a search for adoptable rabbits near you there.

I cannot express how happy I am with my (mutt) rescue bunny; he is just so perfect for me in every way.  How he was passed by in the shelter and the rescue for so long is a complete mystery to me, but his early misfortune in life was eventually our mutual gain!

I just did some research on VPI (on Google) and they do have a number of complaints. I can’t help but wonder if all the pet insurance companies get bad marks though. I know people tend to get emotional when their pets are sick or hurt- I’d love to hear both sides of the stories.

If BB’ers have had luck with VPI, they can’t be all that bad!

I am thinking it’s a good idea to have it. (We just spent $400 on Jester at the vet last week. I should’ve gotten VPI!)

I think with any pet insurance you are going to get people that love it and people that hate it.  There are exclusions to what is covered- so the benefit to insuring a young rabbit is that they have little to no pre-existing conditions.  There are some genetic conditions that are not covered- like I know malocclusion is not covered- so if I had a Netherland Dwarf that had incisors that needed to be trimmed all the time or even removed- they would cover $0.  But if my bunny had a dental abscess- that is not considered genetic- and is covered.

I should also add- that sometimes you just know when you find the right rabbit- and I would take that “sign” over most of my mental arguments.  But I despise unethical breeders and I dislike the practice of breeding for meat- so I would not want to get any rabbit from a source like that since it is encouraging the breeder to keep breeding.  But if it was a bunny rescued from a place like that and the “evil breeder” (in my mind) was getting no monetary gain- then I would be OK with it for myself.

I got VPI b/c they covered cats & rabbits (I have both).  When I discussed the issue w/ my vet, after purchasing a memorial wing to be later named in my hospital , she said that she’d never heard anyone regret getting insurance.  It’s always like a special bonus when I get my reimbursement check from the insurance co….it allows me to take a deep exhaling breath.

My cat did not have any pre-existing issues.  At his last well-care visit (after I pre-emptively got insurance), they noticed something off in his urinalysis.  Furthr testing revealed a possible kidney issue.  Even more testing, including a sonogram, we got the diagnosis of early renal disease.  Initially the insurance company did not pay and asked for my cat’s health records for the past year.  Not a problem, the practice printed everything out for me and I sent it all in.  I got about 90% back.  It was awesome!

I don’t think people were looking down on you for going to a breeder, but one of your comments made it seem like some of the breeder rabbits you were looking at wouldn’t do for you simply because they were mutts.

I think there is a place in the world for good, responsible breeders, but purebred rabbits from breeders are no more loving than any kind of rabbit from anywhere else.

As other people have mentioned, getting an older rabbit from a shelter/rescue has a lot of advantages: Already spayed/neutered, litter box trained (usually), past the “terrible 2s” and “teenager” stage, and you’re able to see the rabbit’s adult personality and demeanor (something that can change as a baby bunny goes through puperty).

But a shelter that doesn’t take good care of its rabbits isn’t necessarily going to give you these advantages.

I’m not sure where you live, but there might be other options available to you if you don’t find your rabbit match with the breeder. Definitely try Petfinder.com and Craigslist. You could also go to BunSpace.com and do a search for adoptable rabbits near you there.

I cannot express how happy I am with my (mutt) rescue bunny; he is just so perfect for me in every way. How he was passed by in the shelter and the rescue for so long is a complete mystery to me, but his early misfortune in life was eventually our mutual gain!

It would be perfectly fine for me to get a mutt, but I had decided while I had my holland lop that I would like to have either an English Lop or a large rabbit like a Flemish or New Zealand, or something larger. My holland was just very hyper and he never really settled down for any amount of time.
To be perfectly honest with you, I have been going around to the breeders that I was looking at getting babies from and the most responsible one seemed to be the one with the mutts. The one with the flemish giant that I was supposed to be getting appears to have dropped off of the face of the earth…
When I looked at the mutt buns… I fell in love. I don’t know how to describe it, but the one just came running up to me and greeted me by getting up on his back feet and sniffing me, while the rest couldn’t have cared less. I think that this person has seriously handled these guys a lot and made sure that they are well taken care of. They were also inside with their mommy (who is gorgeous BTW)… so I think that I have found my match.
I seriously have no problem with shelter bunnies and would prefer to get from a shelter, but like I said I don’t have any that are close enough or that even take care of the rabbits or know them at all, and I don’t think that they spay/neuter them for you either…
Well, I will keep you all updated on what happens…if I can’t find what I am looking for I am in no hurry to just rush out and buy the first baby bunny that I see. But this one really reached out to me.
We’ll see…

Meg, I’m a first time bunny owner this year. I have to say it definitely is rewarding! Here’s what worked for me when I picked out my bunny. Now, to be honest, I went to a petstore and saw my little Netherland and fell in love! However, I wanted to be responsible. Hee hee. So, I just watched her for a few weeks. I wanted to make sure she was healthy. Well they… she was with her brother. both siamese sables, but Lily has white paws. The way I chose was a little how you would choose a dog. I watched her personality and saw how she responded to different things. being pet, my little sister, that sort of thing. Lily hopped around all happy and was basically fearless… (is to this day). Her brother on the other hand was very skittish. I held him and held him and put him on the floor and pet his head to calm him. He just froze and shook like a leaf. Obviously. I took the female. hee hee. anyway, my point is I really think you should look at their personalities closley. really spend time with the one(s) you are considering. See how they react to you and what they get into. haha. I had to admit, having a fearless bunny has been really great for me. I don’t know if God made anymore (wink), but it’s really helped me personally.

Thank you! That’s really helpful. Congratulations on finding your sweet and brave Lily!

Hi all!!  I adopted my first bunny today!!!  I met the Netherland Dwarf, and she was cute, but I knew for sure then that my heart had already been stolen by Freedom, the Dutch/Lionhead mix I’d met last weekend at a different shelter.  So we drove straight back and got her!!  I’m SO thrilled, I can’t even express it.  She’s *so beautiful*, and unique, and friendly and brave.  It’s taking all my self-discipline to let her adjust slowly instead of bombarding her with hugs and kisses!  (; 

I haven’t settled on a name yet (I want to rename her, and since she was in a big shelter and is only 9 mos. old, I don’t think she really knows her name yet)… I’d like to name her after a lightning goddess or a river goddess, in honor of all the zigzaggy stripes she has.    But in the meantime, here are pictures!

petfinder picture:

having already scaled her whole condo within an hour of her arrival:

Thank you so much!!  You all have been a huge help

How CUTE!!!!!! Nice NIC condo too!!! Congrats!!!!!