short vacation, advice needed

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 6 months ago by Godwit.

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- 10/18/2013 at 12:38 PM
  Godwit
  Participant
  57 posts
  I am going away for just under a week for Thanksgiving. I have two roommates who i was GOING to ask to feed Ralphie while I’m gone (his cage is huge and he has plenty of space to run around so i wouldn’t ask them to let him out for playtime) but my roommates are pains in the rear to put it lightly. We are friends but we have different ideas on how i should live my day-to-day life. Anyway I can’t ask now because i was already approached about it and asked “what are you doing with the rabbit when you’re gone?” My boyfriend can’t do it because he’s going to be gone that weekend and lives 20 minutes away anyway which makes it a tad inconvenient to travel back and forth twice a day. then there’s my coworker who lives a few blocks away who’d be happy to help except the next thing my roommate said to me after asking what i’m planning on doing was “well i don’t want anyone having keys to the house.” nevermind that she leaves her friends alone here all the time, but i digress.
  
  (as you can see i’m a tad frustrated so sorry about the snarky comments i’ve inserted lol)
  
  I have considered having him neutered the day i leave and keeping him boarded at the vet, who already keeps them overnight for observation, until i return, which gives me piece of mind during his recovery. but that is likely to be very expensive. another option is another of my coworkers who offered to keep him at her house. She’s offered to provide transportation for him and all his things as i don’t have a car, but his cage is SO big, i would want to keep him in a smaller cage, that i’d have to purchase (and perhaps return should it remain unscathed) and she’s looking forward to giving him playtime. LAST option is to have the neighbor girl who spends all her time here anyway (she’s my roommate’s flower girl) feed him and give him attention. she is always asking him to see him and i’m sure she’d be more than happy but since she’s a kid i’m concerned about responsibility levels and i don’t want any mishaps. what would you do? what have you done in your experience when you have to take a few days away from home? any other suggestions are greatly appreciated as well!
- 10/18/2013 at 1:42 PM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  From what you described, I would vote for the option of getting him neutered, stay at the vet to board for the first few days, and if it is too much $, let him stay at your friendly co-workers house. My vet charges very little a day for boarding when you leave them with a week’s worth of greens, so it really can be worth it to insure a healthy recovery. You would be investing the same $ in a smaller cage for him to stay at your friend’s house. By the way, that’s also worth it, as a one time cost, because you will be away again over the next decade and will use it repeatedly. (No returns, please.) Might as well get it now. If she has a good place to let him play, like in her bathroom or hall, it’s a good idea to try it this time.
  
  Neighbor kid – No. Maybe in a few years, but not now. She will want to hold and play with him too much.
  Roommate: my feeling is, sorry, but if not going to help than you can allow your co-worker access to your home as much as roommate’s friends.
  But frankly, this is an ideal time to get that neuter over with under total supervision.
- 10/18/2013 at 1:53 PM
  Eepster
  Participant
  1236 posts
  If you roommates don’t want to commit to it, then it’s unreasonable for them to say you can’t give keys to your coworker, who you trust to take care of your bunny. I’d make it a choice for your roommates, that they either need to commit to feeding bunny, or they need to allow someone else to.
  
  Also just b/c I’ve heard so many irresponsible pet-sitter horror stories, I would ask the flower-girl to be your “spy” and double check to make sure bunny has been cared for. Flower-girl could also be in charge of treats and keeping bunny company.
- 10/18/2013 at 5:35 PM
  Godwit
  Participant
  57 posts
  rabbitpam you make very good points. I have a friend who works at an exotic vets office who is gonna get a quote for me and i’ll compare it to my own vet. i have money put away already for his neuter so it just depends on if i can save up to pay the difference. If i can, then that is what i will do. as for the extra cage, you are right, this isn’t going to be the last time i go away so its definitely an investment I am going to make.
  
  I would love to keep Ralphie at home where he’s comfortable and happy but talking about fairness with my roommates as far as giving my coworker a key to the house is impossible. they are an engaged couple with control issues they tend to take out on me rather than each other so it’s two against one. i pay a third of everything and it’s enough of a struggle making sure they know i rent WITH them rather than FROM them every day so I am going to just remove that option completely.
- 10/18/2013 at 7:10 PM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  That is really crappy of your roommates. I agree with the thought of “Are you going to feed/water him or do you want someone else to come in and do it?” I mean… It’s your coworker… Not some homeless guy who lives under the bridge…
  
  But it sounds like you have other viable options, so that’s good at least.
- 10/20/2013 at 7:16 PM
  Rufus
  Participant
  334 posts
  I wouldn’t make any kind of ultimatum with your roommates or ask them to look after him if they’re not keen because you won’t be able to trust them to look after him properly! I live with a couple too and if the girl is home, she’ll look after my bun without a problem. The guy says he’ll do it (since I always look after their pets) but he often doesn’t remember or isn’t listening when I give him instructions ie. gives him twice as many pellets as he should have and no hay.
  
  Your roommates sound like they will be resentful if they look after him and you need someone that you can trust!
- 10/21/2013 at 7:27 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  I agree Rufus! But I feel like she should be able to have a trusted, responsible person come in to care for him in the meantime. That’s the thing that is really sticking with me in this situation!
- 10/23/2013 at 12:48 PM
  Godwit
  Participant
  57 posts
  i agree too. unfortunately there’s a war brewing between us because i’m sick of not feeling like i have equal say in the apartment. we had an argument over the weekend over her coffee maker so i’ve purchased my own which i fully intend to use in the kitchen that is full of her crap, for example. I pay the same as them yet they’ve taken over, moved my stuff without asking and even broken some of my things. i don’t want Raphie at home with them while i’m gone, period. he’s is the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time and i don’t want anything to happen to him.
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