bunnies are very social, and their human caretakers cannot provide everything that another bunny can (we don’t lick their ears, we don’t snuggle in a cardboard box, we don’t speak the bunnylanguage…)

in MOST cases, after the bonding process, bunnies are happier with a mate. in some cases, bunnies are neither overly happy or overly annoyed by a mate. they deal with the other bunny, sometimes they get along great, sometimes they could give or take the other bun (i am thinking about Markus’ Maryann and Dono… they have a rocky relationship sometimes…) on the rare occasion, some buns do not want a mate AT ALL, and there’s no way you’re really going to know this until after the bonding process has been going on for at least 2, 3, 4 solid months. most pairs can bond, but it takes time and a great deal of patience… this is why we recommend bunny dates, your bun can be introduced to several eligible bachelors/ettes and he/she chooses the bun he/she wants (it’s usually not the bunny YOU would have picked, but letting the bun pick gives you a greater advantage when it comes to bonding…)

it’s important to take your buns’ personality into consideration… if he is head-strong, you might be able to find a submissive female that he can be dominant over… or vice verse. i think it’s one of the most unselfish things you can do to get your bunny a mate. i highly recommend it to the people who are able and wiling to invest the time, money and space to another bunny that needs a home.

I completely agree with Beka!

I know the HRS shelters are very happy to set up “bunny dates, your bun can be introduced to several eligible bachelors/ettes”.

Besides, I think a “bonded pair” takes up only a bit more room than a single bun – as opposed to 2 single non bonded buns who each need plenty of space. Another advantage to letting your bun pick it’s sweetie.

Hahahah Beka I doo tooo snuggle in a cardboard box…a really big cardboar- Ok fine I don’t

I find that most bunnies are happier in pairs; It’s rigorous bonding, usually anyways and stressful. But once you see them cuddle up for sleeps you know you did the right thing.

HOWEVER if you cannot afford a second bunny, just don’t have the time or room etc-then don’t feel guilty!! Bunnies can be perfectly happy as a single bun too!

The thing I like most about having bonded pairs is I don’t feel as guilty about leaving for work for the day as I do about leaving my buns that are single. Bonding can be difficult, even for the most social bunnies, so if your bunny’s first dates do not go well, it does not necessarily mean that your bunny would be happier alone, it may just be that your bunny is a bit more of a difficult bonder. I think that some bunny dates are a great idea, especially if you can get someone who is experienced with bonding to help explain to you what different types of interactions mean. For example, if two bunnies ignore each other on their first date, it is actually a really good first date! Bunnies can tell each other than they don’t pose a threat to the other by ignoring them.

if you adopt a second bunny, i’d hope you would keep him or her regardless of the outcome of the bonding. adopting is still a commitment to care for the animal regardless of whether or not it works out the way you hope it will. i always recommend that people evaluate if they are able and willing to keep both buns separately forever if the bonding does not work, before getting a second… just my 2 cents…

oh, i misunderstood you then… ;o)

you can have trios or larger groups but it’s NOT easy to do. you have to bond the new bunny with each of the pair individually, and even then it’s not guaranteed to work. this can also disrupt the hierarchy in the existing pair. this is a reason why many bunny owners of 3 buns end up with a 4th b/c that way the 3rd can have companionship as well… and then they just decide to keep the two pairs separately.

i’ve never done the trio thing, so i can’t say too much beyond that…

MOM! Beka’s talking about me again!! heheh, that’s how you start out with one and wind up with 6!

kralspace… weren’t you the one that said bunnies multiply even tho they’re spayed and neutered…? lmao!

yes, even when spayed and neutered, the little buggers multiply like…….rabbits!

The HRS by me will keep the bunny, who is looking for a mate, for a few days while they try out potential partners. That way people, like you, who do not love close, don’t have to run back and forth a bunch.
You might check if the one 2 hours from you will do that.