Need advice from one owner to the other

[Clem&M]

I’m a fresh bunny owner and Clem is the apple of my eye, she was an impulse buy but also a gift to me from my family, even though it may have been a bad idea I always did my best to ensure she was happy and not abused or mistreated as do most new rabbit owners without doing research.

With school starting I can start to feel all the responsibilities and money spending weighing on me between school supplies, buying gas and rabbit supplies, but despite of that for her happiness I’ve put her as first priority, it has not affected my grades yet, but I’m concerned of how long can I keep it up, especially if she does develop an illness, there’s no way I’d be able to afford the treatment for a lot of things. I live on about $250 a month, plus the $600 from my last paycheck, it was a temporary job and won’t be getting it back, although I’m expecting to get a call for a new job.

She’s living as a very content rabbit, binkies a lot, plays outside a lot and seems to have become attached to me, she won’t run around unless I’m in the room for her, if I get up she’s glued between my legs and she likes making me pet her and jumping on my back.

The main question that’s been on my mind is whether I should continue to keep her or rehome her, both have a lot of problems with me, if I keep her I risk losing a lot of money if she does get sick and struggle between gas and food, but if I rehome her I also feel like all the money we have put into her would become a waste, I’m not saying she’s a waste of money, but the action of investing into something so much only to pull out.

I would like to hear what other owners think of this situation and give me advice. Especially since I will be going to Spain in January for almost a month. 

[Luna]

We all feel a little stressed now and then with caring for our buns . Financially, you’re still waiting for the call about the new job so if you get it then that will be a new source of income that will help ease the strain. Do you buy her hay in bulk? Its a lot cheaper than buying 1-2 bags at a time at the store. I don’t know what kind of litter you use, but wood stove pellets are super cheap. I buy Luna Carefresh bedding, which gets pricey, but other litters I have tried with her she ends up eating. Also, while it is a good idea to plan for potential future vet bills, she’s ok right now so try not to let that stress you out too much. And if that time ever comes, there are some vets that will work with you on the bills.

While re-homing is an option, it sounds like she is taken care of and happy, and she makes you happy, so I think it is good that you have that option in mind but you don’t have to do that just yet if things are stable right now. If you do decide to re-home her, just make sure she goes to a good home so that she will continue to be happy .

[joea64]

If there’s a rabbit rescue in your area, I’d contact them to see if they offer hay in bulk (as well as other rabbit supplies). My own local, Friends of Rabbits, does – they sell whole bales for $24 (!) and they tell me hay in the quantities I’ll probably buy going forward, 1/4 to 1/3 bale (about 3 weeks’ to a month’s supply) will be $6 – $8. I personally call that unbeatable, unless you want to grow and dry your own hay! Walmart offers spring mix salad in 16-ounce packages for $4.66 currently which means you can keep Clem in salad for $5 to $10 per week depending on how much in the way of greens you give her per day. If you feed Clem pellets, a 5-pound bag of Oxbow young-rabbit or adult-rabbit should last you for several months.

I spent quite a lot of money in preparing to bring Panda and Fernando home, particularly their “bunny condo”, but happily most of that is one-time-only expense. They’re in excellent health right now so hopefully it’ll be a long time before I have to pay for any vet expenses other than regular wellness visits (and maybe molar trims if needed), though I do plan to get pet insurance, as troublesome as it can be.

[Clem&M]

We’re good with her food, I meant my own groceries, I’ve been learning the joys of the infamous college student diet on ramen noodles, my bad for not explaining well. We have enough hay to last her a year and her pellets aren’t so expensive. I grow her own greens and occasionally throw in some ready made salad for a change with her.
My concern is mainly of whether I’d be able to pay any vet bills, I plan on spaying her but the major concern I’ve been thinking is if complications occur.

[joea64]

Posted By Clem&M on 8/25/2017 11:23 AM

We’re good with her food, I meant my own groceries, I’ve been learning the joys of the infamous college student diet on ramen noodles, my bad for not explaining well. We have enough hay to last her a year and her pellets aren’t so expensive. I grow her own greens and occasionally throw in some ready made salad for a change with her.
My concern is mainly of whether I’d be able to pay any vet bills, I plan on spaying her but the major concern I’ve been thinking is if complications occur.

This goes back again to whether there’s a good rabbit rescue organization in your area. I know I keep bringing them up  but these folks can be incredibly helpful. Many of them will have contacts with rabbit-savvy vets that they procure services such as spaying/neutering from at discount rates, and it’s possible – you’d have to discuss it with them – that they could help you there, as well as with many other care-related questions.

Additionally, I hesitate briefly before mentioning this because I know your circumstances are straitened, but have you considered exotic-pet insurance? As I commented elsewhere, people here’s experience with Nationwide has been highly variable, but they do cover emergency circumstances so you might want to contact them and ask. I actually did, this morning, via online form (I’m hard of hearing so it’s a pain for me to make voice calls even over TDD relay), so I’m waiting to hear back from them.

[Clem&M]

I’ll check out that of exotic pet insurance, although the Nationwide here has a very low rating.
Sadly the only rabbit shelter and rescue organization in my state is a far drive away. I contacted them previously to ask about a spay and I still haven’t had a reply 1 month later.

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