That is HORRIBLE to hear….

“Understandably some people felt that we should be open and willing to give any rabbit in need a loving forever home and I respect that” … Linette, no. That is not how the adoption process should EVER work! It’s so incredibly important for the match to be “right” between the pet and the owner. It’s so irresponsible for any rescue to ever treat your adoption process like this. I’m quite horrified. You are ADDING another addition to your home, your family, and your entire life! You should NOT be assigned at rabbit. Half the joy is meeting and interacting with each rabbit to find the best and perfect fit for your family. It’s important!

I will say I’m extremely happy you have found something different! And had a different experience when choosing another. I would encourage you to try adopting again if you decide another will fit into your home (from a different shelter!!!!!!). My adoptions (I have three adopted & three breeder buns) were the most wonderful feelings of my life and I’m really disappointed yours was so terrible! It’s a truly wonderful experience when it’s the right fit!

Would love to see pictures of the new one!

I remember reading your posts about the adoption and thought the whole things sounded odd. I would have thought that the more welcome potential adopters felt and the more interaction they had with the adoptable bunnies, the more likely folks would be to fall in love with a bunny (or two!) and talk it home forever.

Glad you found your special girl. Sounds like she was meant to be the one for you!

I remember your experience as well, so crazy! I know, with us at the HRS, I had rabbits in mind but also wanted one that had a “connection” with my current rabbit. They let me have alone time with the new rabbit, and I got to hold and snuggle him (and other rabbits that just needed loving) I didn’t feel like I had a huge say, but from what I had read it should mainly be the current rabbits choice (ours blew up in our face, they hate each other…and the new rabbit is absolutely terrified of people. BUT, *I* feel a connection and want to work on my relationship with him, I can tell he was abused and I do my best to make sure he is comfortable…
Anyways, I am so glad you found “the one” that belongs to you guys! Hopefully you’ll be able to bond!

This was horrifying to read!! Why would any rescue operate this way? That seems extremely odd. As cliche as this will sound I believe everything happens for a reason and because of this you were able to find your bun. We got our buns from a shelter that usually doesn’t rescue buns but they simply had a sign posted in the front explaining the story of the buns and if they were interested they would be allowed to interact with the rabbits under staff supervision. People could spend as much time as wanted with the adults (the babies weren’t allowed out until they were old enough to be handled and even then only by adults and staff) you would think a rescue would want to use some kind of similar tactics for people to adopt instead of whatever it was they were doing. It just makes no sense to me. Our buns (all 7 including the parents) had found homes in less than a week.

I was part of a similar discussion on a cat forum. Basically about rescues and how some literally prevent themselves from helping more cats because they are so gosh darn picky about where their cats go. Potential adopters have to be a certain age (not too young 18-25, not too old 55+), they do home inspections, ask very personal details, etc, etc. Basically, it turns people away from rescue because it is simply too invasive and they can go pick up a kitten off Craigslist, no questions asked. And yet on the flip side, their was a foster who adopted cats to someone who forged all the information on the adoption forms (most likely due to landlord issues, but who knows? Could be a hoarder, there was talk of selling them, etc). So sometimes you don’t know why someone really wants a pet.

Basically, I think it is really hard to find a balance between making sure rabbits/cats/dogs/etc go to safe homes where they won’t be further abused and abandoned, but also making the process smooth and comfortable for the potential adopters. I tend to err on the side of trying to get more into homes vs being super picky with each home. A decent adoption fee is enough to dissuade most of the real creeps.

I also think the rescue that you dealt with did just about everything wrong. Charging a fee if the rabbit they randomly gave you didn’t work out?! What do they expect to happen? Especially if the reason someone had to give a bun up because of financial hardship! Plus they obviously didn’t consider the foster parent’s opinion that she should be a singleton. I have a singleton, I tried to bond her, it was never going to happen. I do hope that you will consider adoption in the future. There are so many rescues that do want to work with you, it is a shame that this one made things so difficult for you. Enjoy your new girl, and I hope that bonding happens!

I remember reading and commenting on your situation. I am glad to hear you have a rabbit now that you are happy with. The woman that fostered the rabbit I hope tells the rescue she needs to be in a single rabbit home. That just did sound like a horrible experience.
I adopted a cat from The Humane Society a couple of years ago and I think the experience was too easy imo and they also didn’t take the time out to get to know the temperament of the cat I adopted. I love him dearly but I think he would be happiest in a home where he is the only cat. He was declawed and extremely abused. I am guessing because he likes to scratch molding and acts like he is spraying to mark his territory sometimes. Nothing comes out but I can tell by the actions that is what he is doing. The former owners must have hit him alot. I asked the people at the adoption event about him. They just said he was found on the street and that’s all they knew I don’t know if that is the real story or not. He has adjusted here I think pretty well but still after all this time he is still skiddish. He is still scared of my husband. We think it must have been a man that hit him. He really likes my son’s fiancé I told them that if they get a place where they can have cats one day that if they like they can take him. He has no confidence because he does not have claws so it took awhile for him to feel comfortable with my cat and dogs. On the positive side he must have been around rabbits because he loves to be around mine and when we brought home both my rabbits he greeted them and hung around outside their cages. he grooms my female bunny. He likes to eat hay as well.
Anyway again I am glad things have worked out for you. =)

That rescue sounds awful. Matching the right pet to the right home is a MUST in rescue and that is why every rescue/shelter I know interviews the owners about what they want, but then offers them multiple options based on that and lets them find the one they click with. And for bonding, your rabbit is supposed to choose! Sorry you had such a bad experience. To even ignore the foster’s opinon.. ugh!

Oh, Linette. I do a lot with rescue now. What state do you live in? I have contacts with lots of rabbit rescuers in the West who (if you ever decide on another) would definitely put time and work into making sure you get the right fit. I also know a lot of people with the Bunderground Railroad that will help get buns from further away to you once you are matched up with a bun you would like. Most of them will do foster-to-adopts & then transport the bunny back if it’s not the right fit for you and your family…. there are so many options out there beyond your typical rescue/shelters so don’t give up hope in that regard.

What that shelter did was wrong and I know most rescuers/volunteers/shelter workers would be livid to hear this happened to you.

That’s horrible how the workers handled the situation I feel bad for all the buns there who aren’t getting there chance at the RIGHT home.

But I’m so glad that you found a bun you connected with