Didn’t think about consequences of adopting new rabbit in college

[Chingoh]

Hi,

I am a 4th year college student and I recently had gotten a rabbit during quarantine a few months back home. I thought it would be good to have a companion during the quarantine months as it could help with the anxiety. I have had rabbits before, which was probably why I acted overconfident and impulsive in adopting one, but now that I’m in my college room off-campus, the task seems daunting as I used to get help from my sister and parents. I also don’t know where I will end up in a year after I graduate, which is also another serious issue that I had completely neglected. I feel really stupid, as I should, but I know it would be best to either re-home or re-shelter him eventually as it will save my rabbit as well as myself the stress. I would say he is being cared for well and he’s super happy, but while school is online, and I want to balance social life and a job, I just don’t know whether to keep him for the year or to just re-home him as soon as possible. If anyone could give me some advice on how I should approach this, I would appreciate it as I tend to overthink these situations and beat myself up for doing impulsive things. (Money isn’t an issue, just the fact that I don’t think I could have him for an extended period of time).

[Hazel]

If rehoming is the only option, make sure you charge an adoption fee, people like to pick up free rabbits for snake food. Also, you should get him fixed before finding him a new home.

[HipHopBunny]

Ditto, what Hazel said. Re-homing is, unfortunately, the best option you have, for if you keep procrastinating it, you will become too attached to him. You have to look at what is best for the rabbit. Step out of your shoes, and imagine you were him –  if you could choose, what life would you want? Don’t overthink it, it is not a multistep problem. Look at the pros and cons of both sides. If he went to a shelter where they would make sure he ended up in a loving home or a person you know who will give him a good home, or stayed with you, where would you choose?

If you can’t offer him what he needs, you would feel guilty all the time you were around him, and a guilty relationship is not fun. Maybe you could visit him? Either way, you should make the decision now, for it will become too difficult if you keep putting it off. I’m sorry to say this, I know re-homing is not the answer you wanted to hear, but buns’ are a lot of work, need a lot of space – and they are worthy companions. We have to make sure that we are good ones in turn. I’m not saying your not a good bun owner –  that I’m sure you are, and maybe you can own a bun after college, but right now, I would say it is best to let this bun go before you can’t say goodbye.

Wishing you easy thinking. 🙂

[Chingoh]

Hi guys, I appreciate the advice. I called my sister to talk about it too; she’s also a first-year college student. She said after this year she can take him for the next three. By then I should be able to settle down at least. I think you guys were also right about being too attached. I’ve only had him for a few months, but it already feels like he’s the first child I’ve had to deal with and a part of my soul. I was in a paranoid phase yesterday, but I think I should be able to take it step by step and let him live the boujee life for as long as he can :). If I were to find a family who would want to take him possibly way later in the future, what would be the best way to approach it? (if yall dont mind if i ask).

[HipHopBunny]

You say that both you and your sister on in college – will you have enough space in your dormitory for him to exercise, and get binkies out? College requires a lot of studies, and focus on what you are working on, you will only have that opportunity to get that knowledge one time – and that one time is Now. Are you sure you can give him a good life while you are in college? If not, would you and him be able to put up with the stress of him not being able to live the life he wants?

My suggestion would be to find a friend to give him to during this time, who will be able to give him a spoiled life until you can take him again. Maybe your parents could take him? If he can get enough space to hop around, then I would say go for it. But if you don’t have space for him to hop around, would you have the space for the supplies you need to have for a rabbit? (hay, litter, etc.)

I’m not saying any of this in the terms of “You’re a bad rabbit owner!” I’m sure that your a GREAT bun owner, and will give him the best-spoiled life you could give him, but can you give him one now, and be able to focus on your studies?

We’re always here for you, don’t be afraid to reach out! 🙂

[Chingoh]

Hi hiphopbunny, I think it will be best to post pictures of my room eventually :D. To answer your inquiries individually, it was quite rigorous until this semester because all I have left are a few classes for my minor as well as my major project before graduation. I believe I can balance that along with a part time internship. My roommates also have chinchillas, and we are currently in the process of trying to bond them to my rabbit :P. I also let him free roam in my room most of the day (bunnyproofed for the most part), even if im gone. My room is one of the nicer rooms in the house I live in off campus and I have all my hay pellets and cleaning supplies in the closet. (Will eventually show storage.) I fell in love with him the moment I saw him (super energetic boy) and I’ll do my best to spoil him. Yet, I do appreciate the criticism as well as the questions and if there are any other comments I would love to discuss more options. Sucks my first post in this rabbit version of reddit but everyone seems super genuine on the site and I will definitely be checking out more subs.

[HipHopBunny]

Oh, okay, thank you for clarifying. 🙂 I had a totally different picture in my head, sorry about my harsh words! <3 Yes, I think that it would be best for your spoiled little boy to stay with you, you give him a loving home, a spoiled life, and an overall great place to be. Keep us posted! Again, so sorry for my criticism!

[LBJ10]

I had pets when I was in college and grad school. I always had time to spend with them. Bunnies are great because they just enjoy having you nearby, so you can spend time with them while studying, etc. I understand though, sometimes you just feel overwhelmed with the idea juggling all these things.

I did want to mention that it is generally not recommended to allow rabbits and chinchillas to play or live together.

[Chingoh]

Hi LBJ10, yea honestly this is a lot easier than I expected. Also, you are right about the rabbit-chinchilla bonding; I did some research and I saw some reddit stories about how chinchillas have died from a rabbit kicking it (super sad). It’s really nice cause when he naps in the afternoon, I’m usually busy, but I have plenty of time to kick it with him when he’s awake. I did have a question though. Even though I let him free roam the room all the time, he still bites the cage in the morning when he’s hungry and wants his daily pellets, but there’s so much hay left in the box. Any way I can use some sort of negative feedback to discourage him from doing so (not filling the food when he bites cage until he stops?) Also, it’s really nice cause he’s such an extroverted rabbit that when two of my friends came over yesterday, he let them pet him and it was really cute :3

[HipHopBunny]

Bunnies are the cutest, especially when you rub them just right, and they make that expression of pure contentment “Oh yes…keep rubbing” 😆

Hmm, since he isn’t eating much hay, maybe you could minimize his pellet portion a bit? So then he’d have a more of an appetite for hay? I’ve heard of this trick on here and thought it sounded like a good idea. So I tried it with my girlies and low-and-behold, they now LOVE hay, and I have their pellets back on the size they were, and they still eat hay well. 🙂 Those extroverted personalities really show character, don’t they? 😉

[Ollie’s mom]

I got Ollie when I was 20 and in college. He’s been with me for 10 years, in 4 different homes and through the addition of 4 new pets. Our most recent move took us 6 hours from home 🙂 I went through college, grad school, and multiple jobs in that time. In 2 of my homes he even had his own room 🙂

He’s been my consistent best friend through it all. I feel like your anxiety might be getting the best of you. People have human children they move with and support and care for. It’s do-able 🙂

[Chingoh]

@HipHopBunny, I give him about 1//4 cup of pellets every morning as a routine. We started with about 1/3 but went down eventually to 1/4. Not sure why he loves pellets so much but it’s really cute seeing him super excited for his daily pellets. This morning, I ignored (felt bad though) his biting, and once it eventually stopped, then I fed him. I hope doing this will deter him from biting the cage often. Ugh the extroversion is reaaaaal; he just popped up on my bed this morning and started licking my hand and I’m considering not even using an alarm haha.

@Ollie’s mom, I’m 21 and this decade is definitely going to be the most exciting one (besides this year). I hadn’t thought of the long run the night before and I started overthinking like crazy :P. Do you mind if I ask how your rabbit adapted to noise around dorm rooms or other housing? I have a portable AC that runs every 10 minutes and I feel bad when he’s just chilling and taking a nap.

[HipHopBunny]

They sure do love those pellets! 😉 I hear you, you just can’t stay mad at those furry faces that look up at you so innocently. 😆 For the cage biting you could add in some toys for him to chew, and direct him towards them when he starts biting. Hopefully, he will stop soon!

 

[Chingoh]

@HipHopBunny, it seems like he got bored of the toys I had already gotten him. Should I switch them out or something?

[HipHopBunny]

Switching out toys and changing the set-up are definitely good ways to keep him entertained and active, although I would leave his litter box in the corner that he prefers to go in the most. Wishing you a calm bun! 😉

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