badly need advice – re-homing aloof bunnies

[rangda]

 I have two 2.5-year-old Norwegian dwarf brothers. I’m moving overseas at the end of the year and legally can not take them with me (I’m in New Zealand and they are a pest species, no importing, or exporting rabbits to Australia where I’m headed.)

The problem when it comes to re-homing them is that they are not, and have never been well handled, and aren’t much interested in human interaction. 

I tried for the first few months to get them used to human contact, affection, hand feeding treats but did not succeed. Their limit has always been approaching people, taking food from people, headbutting ankles and and rubbing chins on people’s hands, but if people come on too strong by touching anywhere but their foreheads they back off out of arms reach as if pursued by a predator. 

They aren’t “afraid” of people most of the time, they just become uncomfortable with touching, and flip out violently when it comes time to trim their nails (even getting them into a carrier to take them to the vets to do so results in bites and squealing and terrifying thrashing). I honestly feel like I’ve done my best with them early on and been nothing but gentle and non-threatening, but I gave up a long time ago and just became their dutiful zookeeper, with zero bond. So for the majority of their lives they’ve just kept each other company in their indoor hutch and get let out to exercise and chew cardboard boxes up in the hall and staircase. They seem happy enough and I’ve given up trying to force human contact on them.

So, now the usual route of advertising as pets seems bleak. Trading sites are full of charming baby animals, used to being handled. The little guys may very well have amazing pet potential for someone who is better with rabbits than me, but as it is I can’t see them finding a home. They are super cute, bonded well with each other after fighting for their first year and neutered but those qualities don’t make them appealing adoption material. Even the SPCA requires a test of behaviour and handling and I fear they would end up euthanized if surrendered. 

Is there anything I can do to try a last ditch attempt to get them used to handling? Would separating them and trying again to handle them be worth a shot? Is there any info someone can direct me to for handling rabbits that really, really hate it? Failing that would anyone know of someone in New Zealand (I would pay to transport them anywhere) with some space that would be interested to foster them? I don’t want to fail them, I would keep them for the rest of their years because I am responsible for their care, but am left without a choice now  

[Stickerbunny]

Don’t separate them, that will just stress them out. They will get enough of that from rehoming. Is there a rescue nearby that may be able to help you with socializing them, or tips on rehoming? Or at least give you an idea if they would pass the SPCA’s test? Would the SPCA tell you if they were willing to place them, or just going to put them down if you ask? (Our humane society will tell you flat out – we can take them, but they will be euthanized)

My Stickers will only take pets on the forehead as well and she 99% of the time wants nothing to do with humans. She’s also a crazy little brat with chewing, digging and litter box issues. And good luck picking her up, unless you trick her. But, despite all that, I still took her in as a rehome and paid $136 for her spay and gave her an entire bedroom. So, don’t feel hopeless. People who are expecting a rabbit that likes cuddling, being held and being pet whenever their owner wants generally are disappointed with bunnies in general, since they aren’t that kind of pet once they reach adulthood in the majority of cases. Getting them used to a carrier is possible, but it would take potentially months of training, it’s basically making them associate it with good stuff rather than the vet.

If you have cages, supplies etc offering all that free with a rehome fee that is small and just covers being sure they are going to someone who isn’t going for “free pets” will make them more appealing. Say you are looking for someone with bunny experience, so new owners who are coming in with the idea they are going to be cuddle monsters don’t get disappointed. I hope you find someone.

[Beka27]

I have to tell you… They do not sound mis-handled at all, but rather like normal bunnies. Their “limits” are shared with the vast majority of buns. In my experience especially, bonded pairs tend to do their own thing anyways most of the time.

I agree wholeheartedly with looking for someone with rabbit experience, or seeing if you can get hooked up with a rescue. I don’t know if an explanation of the situation would work in your favor seeing as it’s out of your control.

You have NO OPTION for taking them with you? Certificate from your vet stating they are both neutered companion animals?

[Sarita]

They sound like perfectly normal rabbits to me as well. It would be better if you could find a rabbit experienced person to take them so they have realistic expectations. They do need to stay together though as they are bonded.

House Rabbit Society has the Wellington SPCA and Helping You Help Animals listed on their website – check them out.

[MoveDiagonally]

Everyone else have given great advice as per rehoming. I did some google searching and from what I found you CAN bring rabbits into Australia from New Zealand (it’s the one exception to the no import rule). But boy, did it take some searching! Austrailia does not like bunnies (no offense Aussie members you are all wonderful!)
http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ImportingAnimals2012.pdf

If this is something you want to look into (if you haven’t already) then I would contact Australia’s Department of Agriculture
http://daff.gov.au/biosecurity 

Or maybe customs. The contact info for customs is as the bottom of the first link. 

Whether or not it’s worth the trouble and stress (for you and the rabbits) is a different matter. :/

[Beka27]

Wow! Nice find, MD!

[Deleted User]

Hi! I’m an Aussie (Queenslander – sshhhh! don’t tell anyone… lol.) And that’s the secret. I got my bun from over the border and as hard as what it was not to brag to everyone about my new baby, I didn’t. That’s why I joined this site, so I could bunnytalk to my hearts content with no concerns of being caught. The only problem I can see you having is that you won’t be able to fly your buns into Qld directly, it will have to be another state than a drive. (I’m guessing your coming to Qld, cause I’m sure this is the only state that doesn’t allow them). From there, just don’t tell anyone and if (?) someone see’s the cage (but not them) just do the standard ‘guinea pig’ line. I found an exotic vet only 25 minutes away who takes care of Henry medical requirements, and I found a pet shop to buy his ‘rabbit’ Oxbow food about 15 minutes from home.
And….. as far as cuddles etc., let me assure you I had big plans of having bunny cuddles, him jumping into my lap – NO chance! My Henry is super ignorant! But I wouldn’t swap him for anything. Another home for him would be out of the question – who else would be dumb enough to tolerate his poor behaviour and still treat him like a king? No one – only me, ha ha ha….
So if you are super keen to keep them, give it a go. Just remember – don’t tell anyone! Good luck. Cheers, Henry’s mum.

[Author]

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