If they are bonded, it is rather cruel to separate them

I would not separate them. I doubt too that you will be allowed a pet in the dorm room. I do think you should not consider getting another rabbit either – you are going to be busier than you can imagine with going off to school. You may miss them, but you have to think what is best for your rabbits and their care. It’s hard not to be selfish, but you have to be grown up and be selfless :~) and think what is in the best interest of your rabbits.

I do hope your parents will make sure they are taken care of because a 5 year old is unable to care for herself, much less a rabbit.

Have you discussed it with your parents, just to get an idea of how they feel. If you are moving out it will make them 100% responsible for the well being of the buns as your little sister is only 5 and though she loves them very much should not be placed in the position of being fully responsible. ( I always cringe and grit my teeth when I hear a parent say to a small child, “This is your responsibility not mine”)
Your parents might surprise you and be more than willing to take charge, alternately they may prefer that you take both buns in which case your sister may be upset but not as upset if something happens and she is unable to help them and not supported.
All in all a very difficult choice to make but as it is your parents home they really should have the final say in whether the buns go with you or one or both stay with your sister.

leave them at home together,,, i’m sure your parents aren’t paying 20 grand a year to have tons of free time to play with your bun.
you’re going to be too busy

How old are the rabbits? Are they neutered?

I agree that if they are bonded, it is best to keep them together no matter where they go. From experience, taking care of two rabbits isn’t much more work than taking care of one…you just tend to run through supplies faster. Also, if you end up with a bunny, no matter how many, be prepared for emergency vet bills that may come up.

If they stayed with your parents, is there any way you could convince your parents to let them live indoors? The bunnies could have more attention and be more a part of the family that way.

Posted By Svandis on 08/03/2012 12:17 AM
As for having enough time, classes are 4 times a week, just a couple of hours. So yeah, i’ll pretty much have more time to play with them than my parents will. Also, my boyfriend is moving in with me, so it/they won’t be alone too much. 

But I really get where you’re coming from. I just want to weigh up the pros and the cons. 

 

Sounds like you’re doing the right thing. Looking at all the variables and making a decision based on fact.

In the end its whats best for all, your sis, you, the buns and your parents. You’ll know what is the best move in the end.

You sound very mature and very smart. I think they idea of leaving them at home your first semester so you can acclimate to your new life is a good idea and then you will be ready for the pair on your second semester. I understand your little sister may be upset to see them go, but she is young and she will forget about it eventually.

I think it’s a great idea to leave them at home for a semester or so, then bring them up. They are very young and still unfixed, so it’s quite possible they’ll need to be separated anyway when they go through puberty. If they don’t fight and remain together, then I agree with the others that they shouldn’t be separated and you could take both. Your sister is only 5 and unable to care for them on her own, so I don’t think it’ll be too hard for you to take them away.

I had to make a simmilar hard decision when i moved to college, I had a cat for 6 yrs who was very much my cat (ignored everyone else but followed me arround) but the family had another cat who was 3 but very attached to my cat. eventhough i was going to be living with my dad and bringin my cat could have been worked out, i left her behind with my mom for the welbeing of both cats. Would they have survived being separated? probably was it best for them? no. Infact 5 years later the younger cat died less than 6 moths after the older cat, never showed any signs of illness, mom came home from work and found her body.

At the very young age of your rabbits they would probably do ok, but i would probably still leave him/her with parents if they are willing to take care of them, I would make sure that you have an agreement with your parents that if they decide they cant handle it and decide to get rid of the rabbits they give you time to make arrangements to get them instead of just rehoming (not sure how far from home you will be, but you dont want to get home on vacation and find out oh, by the way…).

I had written up a whole thing yesterday about the idea of you bringing them with you and then when I went in to edit I deleted it somehow or it was a strange glitch since I was using my tablet. Anyway, I am glad to see a couple of others suggest it and I ditto Sarita and Elrohwen about the possibility of bringing the bunnies up later once you have settled in