Hello from Bandit and Donald

[BanditCamp]

Hello Everyone!

My names Donald and I am a former US Military Veteran and I’ve decided to not be a forum lurker and join in on the forums. Ill do a little info about me before I introduce Bandit, Im 26 years old and I am a 6 year Military Police Veteran living is Los Angeles County and my little brother also lives with me. For the past three years since my medical retirement I have been attending school and sadly ITT Shut down leaving me without a degree and a GI bill since they stole that. So with planning that i have done for a good while and about 2 months (maybe 3) of watching videos from 101Rabbits, StormyRabbits and hundreds of documents through these forums and other sites as well I decided to invest and love a new shelter rabbit to help with getting me back on track with life and to live for something other than just day by day.

Sadly, I suffer from Social Anxiety (rooms of 24 or more people cause me to have panic attacks) and I didn’t want a puppy or a cat because simply as much as I like them I love a challenge.

A Picture of Me:

One Drive Share Picture (New Window)  (This is a One Drive Share Link It is Safe)

About Bandit,

My Rabbits name is Bandit, According to the Norco Animal Shelter paperwork he was interred at 7 Weeks of Age and I rescued him for $5 at 10 Weeks of Age. According to the shelter manager he was the product of a rabbit mother who was pregnant and given to the shelter and was born in the shelter with 5 Kits (one died) and there are 3 more at the shelter (to all your Norco adopters). Bandits adoption went very smoothly and the first thing I did was remove the rope collar around his neck as I did not want that to choke him at some point or worse try and scratch it off. He has been at my House for 4 days total now and has been a complete angel, he uses his litter box, even runs to his litter box when he has to go and I normally give him free range of the house when I am at home. He lives in a very nice 8sqFT cage I built out of Xpens and  finished plywood with a second level and a ramp and He is very content in his house.

He is a very binky bunny in my opinion he often runs and plays when I let him out in the mornings around 6 AM and 5 PM (sometimes he takes his day long nap out of his cage and I just let him) I filled the area with poasterboard, boxes, and some self crafted DIY toys. Ive bunny proofed 75% of the house including my main living room and my own bedroom with NIC Shelf Cages, he is very well mannered and knows not to chew anything that does not look edible if its accidentally dropped (i was doing a project with zip ties [carpet loaf box] and he picked up a zip tie and brought it towards me and dropped it and scampered away). After 3 days he now accepts pets when hes relaxing and when he approaches (sometimes quite often) and is very comfortable around myself and my younger brother.

At first I had worries that he would become to bored or not like the apartment but he is adjusting very well, Tomorrow (03/30/17) were going to our first vet visit and to get his nails trimmed for the first time as they are quite sharp and I do not feel confident on doing it for the first time and maybe with instruction. Were also going to see if hes ready enough to be neutered as I feel that will curb some of his not so destructive as most think digging habits (only does it now and then and I tell him no).

If you want to see pictures of bandit please visit my cloud space were I store all my videos and pictures of my baby (young adult?) boy.

Picture links below:

Bandit’s Cloud Space (photos and videos)

Best Wishes and Cheeki Breeki,

Donald and Bandit

[Luna]

Hi! Bandit is so cute! It sounds like you are very committed to him and that he is adjusting well to his new home. I’d be careful though about giving him colored paper/cardboard as it is not good if accidentally ingested a lot – well I guess the same goes for regular paper/cardboard too, but you don’t have to worry as much with the ones without coloring. Chewing though is ok .

[BanditCamp]

Yeah, even though its colored I haven’t observed any issues in regard to his litter. He goes to the bathroom twice a day ( i check) and it hasn’t deviated since. Hes drops are hard and firm while his cecotropes as soft. I also give him a branch of mint (about 3-4 inches long with leaves) after a long chew session with any cardboard to quell any issues. Overall he seems happy and he takes long naps to digest and then straight to the bathroom then he either comes out to play or takes a nap somewhere (2nd floor in cage or First in fleece bed / In a sunny corner near my window or under the table) in a feet back flop position.

[Wick & Fable]

As you may have already realized, rabbits can be a different kind of challenge than cats and dogs, haha. Everything from your months of preparation, openness about your rationale, and steps taken to make your living space rabbit-friendly is very inspiring, and is a great model for others wanting a rabbit.

Having your vet clip the nails first is an excellent idea— it is not easy at first, or at the very least causes anxiety. Continue having that open dialogue with your vet about any other procedures that may come up in the future. Watching videos, as you’ve stated, is also a great idea too. Howcast is a great channel if you haven’t seen their videos. There aren’t many, but they are very helpful.

Others can correct me if I’m wrong, but rabbits will usually do naughty things if they’re very bored. Wick doesn’t play with anything (no chewing, digging, nothin’). His entire day consists of eating, using the bathroom, grooming, napping, and demanding pets. I used to think he didn’t have the right kind of toys, so I’d make all kinds of contraptions out of cardboard. After a few weeks, I’ve come to realize he really gets satisfaction from attention and from climbing elevations (floor to sofa cushion, sofa cushion to top of sofa back), but that’s it. If Bandit seems content, toys aside, he probably is

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Limit]

Welcome! Bandit is an absolute stunner, so pretty. Sounds like you’re doing great, love when more people come out of lurking (I did the same..)! Wick you’re completely right btw, bunnies get up to mischief when they get bored, or even when they’re not bored – they’re just darn right mischievous.

I’m not sure how to go about saying this but thank you for your service. Many people would never be able to do what you’ve done (me included).

[Bam]

Hi and very welcome to the BB forums! Bandit is just lovely It’s true as the others have said that bored rabbits tend to get up to mischief, but Bandit is a very young rabbit and young rabbits as a rule have lots and lots of energy and curiosity. It’s pretty obvious from your videos of him that he’s a happy, investigative and alert little bun! They do mellow a bit with time, (as do we humans, of course.)

Thank you for posting so many pix and videos. We’re all more or less completely addicted to rabbit pix and videos here

[Tony's Mum]

Hi! He’s gorgeous, and you’ve done a great job making your house a home for him! I bet you guys will be very happy together

[Wick & Fable]

I find myself just watching your videos and looking at your pictures, haha. I’m so envious that Bandit is so playful with his toys!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[BanditCamp]

Not sure if my messages are going through with the moderator review for every message but thanks everyone! ill keep the videos and stuff updated.

[tobyluv]

Thank you for adopting a shelter bunny. Bandit is a cutie! It’s also great that you adopted a solid black rabbit, as the solid white rabbits and solid black rabbits are usually the last to get adopted at shelters and rescues. I enjoyed seeing all the photos. Bandit looks very happy in his new home. It’s good that you removed the rope collar from him. Did the shelter put that on him? Collars are very dangerous for rabbits and should never be used.

[BanditCamp]

The shelter did put a collar on him. It’s so they can tell who’s who cause there were 4 kits and all black and male so hard to tell.

[Luna]

tobyluv – why are those color buns the last to be adopted? 

[tobyluv]

Posted By Luna on 3/29/2017 8:22 PM

tobyluv – why are those color buns the last to be adopted? 

Some people feel that the solid color rabbits are not as interesting as a patterned rabbit, especially if the solid color is black or white.  In the case of white New Zealands, they are also often rejected because people do not like their pink/ruby eyes.  So they have a double whammy.  The rabbits that usually get adopted first are ones with patterns, lops, lionheads, dwarf, any breed that is seen as less plain.  It’s not just the rabbit world where animals are discriminated against.  Black dogs are usually also the last to be adopted.

[tobyluv]

Posted By BanditCamp on 3/29/2017 7:42 PM

The shelter did put a collar on him. It’s so they can tell who’s who cause there were 4 kits and all black and male so hard to tell.

Collars really aren’t safe for rabbits.  If the collar gets caught on anything, the rabbit could choke.  I don’t know what else the shelter could use to identify the rabbits, but it would be good if they had some other system.

[BanditCamp]

I discussed the topic with them, it has to do with space as they are also the city’s animal control and they pickup a lot of strays. Bandit was with another rabbit when I got him and I also discussed why having two rabbits together could be a bad thing. Luckally they only put the same litter kits together so there was no fighting but the manager didn’t know rabbits can fight eachother if they don’t have time to bond. So she’s going to put a request for another small animal cage.

[tobyluv]

It’s good that you had some discussion with the shelter about this. It sounds like they need more than one extra cage, though. If those kits are unadopted and still together as they start entering puberty (around 12 weeks of age) they can start fighting. Rabbits can severely injure each other if they fight. It doesn’t matter that they are siblings.

[Bam]

I’ve heard black pets are not popular these days because it’s difficult to get good photos of them. People want to display their pets on social media these days.

Bam is black and he is difficult to get good pictures of, but he’s completely lovely.

[BanditCamp]

Thanks bam, and most people use auto focus on their camera so it monotones the black for shadows. If you actually tap the camera on the place you want it to focus pictures turn out much better.

[Crashley]

Bandit is Darling!!!! So glad hes got a good home

[GeminiTwynns]

Hello everyone & buns, Bandit, Donald…
First I’d like to make mention that I have enjoyed many posts through this BB site, very helpful with my precious Angel bunny, my little baby boy bun. Who’s REALLY no longer a baby at all… But will forverever be to me! I love my bunny rabbit and dog with every bit of my being; and they are my pride and joy in my life.

Seeing how everyone here share that same strength of love for their own bunny’s (and everyone else’s buns too) is what has kept me coming back here for info, advice, recommendations, etc. So thank you all very much.
So, what I would like to ask “Donald”, I believe, Bandits new Dad… Is, what were your thoughts & impression on your recent vet experience with Bandit!?? I “REALLY” “have to” find a vet for my lil boy, with a quickness!!

Currentl, I live in North East corner of Los Angeles County known as the Antelope Valley/Palmdale/Lancaster, California. And I work in Camarillo in Ventura County. I am a medical home health care provider and I work one week on & one week off. During the week while I am away for work I have a 24 hour pet Nanny for my babies. She really is amazing and genuinely takes good care of my pet kids, but she really isn’t rabbit wavy at all. And I know I am still far from holding that title myself. And so that is why it is so important for me to find “THE VERY BEST RABBIT VET CLOSEST TO ME, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. My bun is needing to be neutered and seriously Ive needed to get him to a vet so I can walk away fully knowing that he is free of any issues that would cause him any discomfort or pain in any way. Because bunny’s are so good at hiding health problems in from predators in the wilds. So, I was thinking or wondering how would you rate your vet, and if you would highly recommend him or her, then would you kindly share the vets name & location with me so I can make an appointment right away, and no longer put off biting into that very important piece of partaking in caring & sharing my life with my bunny, and getting to eat my cake too! 😉 lol
But in all seriousness, would you he willing to refer your rabbit vet!?? Or share one that you may have found after your visit with the one who clipped Bandit’s nails.l? Thank you in advance! Okay, well… I’m “Over & Out”, now. Ciao! 😀

[BanditCamp]

I recieved care from a local bunny shelter approved vet from Bunny Bunch.

Their list is located here:
http://www.bunnybunch.org/pages/vet-referral/

They reccomended me Chaparal Pet Hospital located here:

Chaparal Pet Hospital
915 W Foothill Blvd # A, Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 625-1561

There are other hospitals but this is the one that they recommended to me first but there are other vets inside their recommendation page Ill also send you a private message as if there are any urgent stuff you can message me personally as im a local guy.

[Author]

Messages