I’m going to move this to the bonding section.

Two males can bond just fine. Gender isn’t a deciding factor but rather the personalities of both rabbits. I had a male/male bond and they were best friends, apart from the occasional “difference of opinion”. A few times they had to be separated for a week or two because they would fight but I’m sure that this didn’t have anything to do with the fact that they were both males. They had very different personalities, one very outgoing and pushy, one very timid and shy. Most of the time the bossy one would be top bunny but every once in a while he would push his luck too much with the shy one and would be reminded of who was REALLY the boss in this relationship . Their bond never actually broke though, all they needed was a few days to calm down.

When I got them I never bonded them properly as they were my first rabbits I was quite ignorant of bunny care at that time. They were babies and upon bringing them home from the pet store I just put them together in their cage. Luckily they hit it off, even through puberty. Even more lucky, they actually were both boys as I had been told at the store and I didn’t end up with an oops litter.

Don’t let them keep you from trying this little guy if you feel like he might be the right match.

I agree with Hazel. Personality is really the deciding factor not gender.

They won’t let you do a date or anything? I would (if you haven’t) ask if you can do the date and if that goes well offer to foster to adopt. If the bond doesn’t work out then you can return Wally and try another bunny. If the date doesn’t go well you can try another bunny. If it does work out then great! A bunny gets a home and everyone wins.

I picked up my new boy a couple weeks ago (new and old buns are both 2 years old and neutered). 9 days from first date to fully bonded. Now you can’t find them more than a foot apart from each other but usually they are snuggled up tight or the first rabbit is busy grooming the new rabbit. I’m glad I based it on personality with a trial meeting at the shelter and not gender or size (male mini lop and male flemish giant).

My boys love each other. You can ask anyone here, they were a super quick and easy bond. I have never witnessed a fight or difference in opinion between them. They snuggle all the time and they get into trouble TOGETHER. Even when it comes to food, they will push each other or eat stuff from the other’s mouth. But it is all very passive. Oh, you want this piece of hay that I’m eating? Oh well, I’ll just grab this other piece over here. Haha, I have even caught them doing a Lady and the Tramp parody with one bun on each end of the piece of hay and they eat it until their mouths come together.

I also have two males who have been bonded for over 6 months now with no issues. They bonded within ten days and are totally inseperable. I hope it works out for you!

Dana Krempels is a biologist (PhD) and considered an expert on rabbits. She responded to a question about bonding male rabbits on allexperts.com like this:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Rabbits-703/2009/5/Bonding-male-rabbits.htm
Dear Jeff

Whether they’ll get along depends on the personalities of the two rabbits. Two males might be a harder sell than opposite sexes, but sometimes they can become great pals. For tips on how to bond them, see the articles here:

http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-a=00062824-sp00000000&sp-q=bonding

Both should be fixed before introductions, to reduce tension, so you’re ahead of the game there.

Be aware that there may be some tufting and testing, and this could take some time and patience.

I wish you good luck!

Dana

Maybe you can show them this and/or some other articles from experts. I don’t know if it will sway them but might be worth a shot? If you want to give that a go I’ll look for some more when I get home tonight.

Here’s another, from an HRS article:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-4/two-rabbits.html
When we first began matching rabbits, conventional wisdom held that males, even if neutered, cannot live together. We have cared for a great many male pairs, as well as larger groups with multiple males, and found that males can form close friendships. Adopt a compatible spayed female for your male if possible; but if you find yourself with two males, don’t despair.

Neither of these are glowing recommendations for male/male bonding BUT they both say that it’s possible and might convince someone of something? I don’t know. :/

I would tell them you want to adopt him regardless of if they bond in the end. Do you want him enough to keep him separately forever, or do you only want him as a mate for Caleb?

If the new bunny isn’t “really” for adoption, or they already have a home lined up, they really shouldn’t have him listed for adoption and lead people on thinking he’s available… 🙁 Or at least mark him as “adoption pending”…

Two males (or two females) can definitely bond, it really has to do with personalities. Maybe do as suggested and don’t have them date but take him as a foster, pending adoption? Have them meet in neutral territory in your house (or at a friend/family member’s house). You can take things slowly on your own time without the rescue woman breathing down your neck during an official date…

How frustrating! Not even allowing a date is so counterproductive to finding bunnies good homes to me. I really don’t understand it. Strange that the woman doing the inspection suggested it in the first place. 

Since you’ve gone through the process, as frustrating as it is, I might still try some lady bun dates. You might find another bunny you like/gets along with Caleb. Worst case scenario you don’t find a good match and you don’t adopt from them.

It sucks! I’m sorry.

SMACKS HEAD AGAINST THE KEYBOARD

WHO KEEPS PERPETUATING THIS MYTH???? WHO? WHOOOOOO?

I’ve heard this rumor before, too. How do these stupid people assume that multiple-bun households work if male rabbits are destined to instantly kill and maim one another. How do they think they can exist in the wild for that matter?

Yeah, they say females will hurt each other too… *looks over at Monkey and Smudge squashed side by side in the hidey box*

Lol, the other day I read an article where the lady insisted that rabbits should only ever be kept in pairs, never ever in groups (or singles), and they should only be male/female pairs because, while they could be friends with a same-gendered rabbit, they could never be in love,

I wonder if that’s the same person who is causing kcomstoc’s problems.

Maybe it’s time to just move on then. It sucks, but if they’re not even going to give you a chance, what can you do? You’re an awesome bunny owner and you’ll end up with the bun that is meant for you.

That’s ridiculous! I’ve actually heard that male to male bonds were actually not as difficult as they make it seem. In fact some people told me it was easier to bond two males then two females. In then end I believe it has more to do with personalities though. Sorry you couldn’t adopt him some people are just too closed minded. I hope you find the perfect bunny for you and Caleb soon.

This is very frustrating. They are supposed to try and find homes for animals in need. Would they really rather not find him a home than trying this? Even if they think male/male would be problematic, they should at least give it a shot. Did they ever give you a straight answer about them already having a different home lined up?

I’m not sure if I would keep working with them or not if I was in your shoes. If you do decide to walk away, I think you should make it clear to them that you are kicking them to the curb because they obviously don’t know a whole lot about rabbits and you would rather support a rescue that is actually motivated to adopt their animals out. Sending them the articles won’t hurt, either. Maybe it will help change their mind down the road.

I’m sorry they’re giving you such a hard time.

Both dogs are Shelties.

Thank you! Haha. Rough Collies are gorgeous, but too big for me. I’m a small person anyway. My dogs names are Matty (short for Matthew) & Mavis. Matt is the adult dog and Mavis is the pup. She’s still going through her awkward stage. Lol. She looks so scruffy right now.

Did you email the rescue kcomstoc?

I hate it when rescues behave this way!
I had a frustrating experience with my local RSPCA. :/
Sometimes I think some rescues act like they don’t even want their animals to go to new homes. Dissapointing.

I can’t either, I kind of would like to hit this person o.O

It’s all preconceived notions, sounds like… There are some generalizations that hold true in many cases, but even those can be hit or miss sometimes. Nothing is ever 100% right or wrong.

Those two might meet and go for blood, or they might be best friends… You really can’t guess what would happen without trying. Maybe this woman had a couple bad experiences 29.5 years ago and just never tried after?

I’m sorry, but that is such bull. Who is to say a female can’t do just as much, if not more, damage? It has happened. Some rabbits just do not get along, but gender has nothing to do with it. Trying to bond a pair of rabbits carries some level of risk no matter what. To say that serious injury is almost definite following the introduction of two male rabbits is ridiculous. So now I have to wonder, were they trying to put intact males in together?

BTW, I saw the bunny you linked to. LOL, Funny Foot? I would have called him Michael Jackson.

Her email details a normal bonding session, the same process that would be followed with a male/female, female/female, OR male/male pair. It sounds more like they were only considering pairing rabbits who are “love at first sight” which is certainly not the norm.

I guess it’s up to you to decide if you want to go with them or go another route…

I have 3 males and 2 females bonded together. Lol. My males were among my easiest and hardest to bond and it came 100% down to personality. Helo and Monty were so similar that they just didn’t want to get along but they’re bonded now. Monty and Dexter and Helo and Dexter were fine.

I agree with Beka, her email sounds like normal bonding session concerns.

I talked to someone yesterday that told me my rabbits would not have a “lasting bond” because I used stress bonding with them… And if rabbits don’t like each other enough that you “have to stress bond them” they’ll “never get along”. O.o People get weird ideas about bonding sometimes.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention what the others have pointed out. The other part of the email sounds like a normal bonding process. You can’t just throw them in together and expect everything to be fine. Taking things slowly is normal. o_O

Posted By kcomstoc on 01/21/2014 11:32 AM

or she just hasn’t tried because male/male bondings aren’t considered right (not trying to start a debate or anything)

I have actually been wondering that, too. It would be interesting to see what her reaction would be if you asked about female/female pairs…

“Funny Foot” is adorable, what a cutie!  I hope you get to snatch him up! If you do, make sure to send lots of boy/boy cuddle pictures to that rescue lady. If it doesn’t change her mind, it might at least make her sick to her stomach…

LOL, well he does have a single white glove. =D

I love him, I hope it works out :3

I’m late to the party, but I’m glad you still have a chance to find a buddy for Caleb! Michael Jackson is such a good name for that bunny, crossing my fingers he and Caleb get along on their first meeting so you can adopt the little cutie!

I also don’t think gender plays a role when bonding two fixed rabbits. I mean, we use the terms de-sexed and altered/unaltered for a reason right?

Haha… I like Michael Jackson too! You could call him any of the Michael nicknames or “Jackson”.