Need some website and shelter/haven suggestions for rehoming my rabbits.

[SamieLee]

Unfortunately, due to some personal/family reasons I will need to adopt out my two bunnies. This is not easy for me but I know it is ultimately in my rabbits best interest. I do not wish to gain any money off of them. However my only condition is that they do go to a good home where I know they will be well taken care of and loved. I’m a bit hesitant to post ads on Craigslist, ebay, etc. because I’m worried that the only people who will be interested in them will be the kind of people who didn’t bother to do any research and the bunnies will end up dead within a few weeks. I’m sure you all can understand what I mean when I say that even though they will no longer be mine it doesn’t mean that I will stop caring about their well-being. So my question is: Does anybody know of any good webpages where I can put an adoption ad for my bunnies that will catch the attention of people who actually know what it takes to care for them? Also, does anyone know of some good and humane rabbit shelters/havens that are located in the Austin/San Antonio, Texas area where I could place them in case I can’t get any offers online?

Thank You!

Note: This is not a personal ad for rehoming my bunnies. I just need some good website or shelter recommendations. Thank you!

[peppypoo]

I’m sorry that you have to rehome your rabbits. The rabbit-specific rescue in the Austin area is House Rabbit Resource Network (rabbitresource.org). However, I know that they are constantly at capacity with a waitlist for space, and I’m hesitant to say that you’ll just be able to place them at the shelter if they are unable to find homes elsewhere (especially since we are just heading into that post-Easter season). Although they may not have the space to house your rabbits, I’m sure they can help guide you in finding them a new home.

As far as Craigslist goes, I think it’s definitely possible to find good caretakers through the site. That is, if your’e willing to spend time and wade through dozens of unqualified offers. The key is to interview the potential owners and make sure they have the knowledge, time, financial resources, and willingness to provide the standard of life that you do for your bunnies. Although I understand that you’re not looking for any financial benefit, perhaps as a way to weed out the people that are just looking for a “free bunny” you can ask for a donation to the shelter in return.

[jerseygirl]

Bunspace might allow rehoming posts. And I think Rabbits Online does.

Could you advertise through a vet clinic also? (FB pages)
Or rabbit related Facebook groups?

One thing I’d consider putting in an advertisement is that you’ll want to do a home visit. Even if you don’t in the end (but I recommend you do if possible). It just could weed out a lot of less genuine people. Someone who is happy for you to come to their home and see potential set up for rabbits is a more favourable candidate IMO.

Best of luck! It’s a difficult thing to face and I hope you’re able to place them in a great home.

[SamieLee]

Posted By peppypoo on 04/09/2013 06:52 PM

I’m sorry that you have to rehome your rabbits. The rabbit-specific rescue in the Austin area is House Rabbit Resource Network (rabbitresource.org). However, I know that they are constantly at capacity with a waitlist for space, and I’m hesitant to say that you’ll just be able to place them at the shelter if they are unable to find homes elsewhere (especially since we are just heading into that post-Easter season). Although they may not have the space to house your rabbits, I’m sure they can help guide you in finding them a new home.

As far as Craigslist goes, I think it’s definitely possible to find good caretakers through the site. That is, if your’e willing to spend time and wade through dozens of unqualified offers. The key is to interview the potential owners and make sure they have the knowledge, time, financial resources, and willingness to provide the standard of life that you do for your bunnies. Although I understand that you’re not looking for any financial benefit, perhaps as a way to weed out the people that are just looking for a “free bunny” you can ask for a donation to the shelter in return.

Yes it’s been super hard. I really don’t want to give them away and several times I’ve considered not going through with it. But due to the other things going in my life right now I know that I can’t really give them the time, care, and attention that they deserve. I don’t want them to suffer because of my selfishness I am definitely interested in contacting the shelter just to see if they can help me out in finding them a new home, even if they can’t exactly house them. A little help is better than none at all! I did just post an ad on Craigslist and have gotten TONS of offers but it’s just making me all the more anxious. I have eliminated some offers, right now there are two in particular who are standing out to me. How should I proceed from here with the interviewing process? I really like the shelter donation idea!

[SamieLee]

Posted By jerseygirl on 04/09/2013 07:12 PM

Bunspace might allow rehoming posts. And I think Rabbits Online does.

Could you advertise through a vet clinic also? (FB pages)
Or rabbit related Facebook groups?

One thing I’d consider putting in an advertisement is that you’ll want to do a home visit. Even if you don’t in the end (but I recommend you do if possible). It just could weed out a lot of less genuine people. Someone who is happy for you to come to their home and see potential set up for rabbits is a more favourable candidate IMO.

Best of luck! It’s a difficult thing to face and I hope you’re able to place them in a great home.

I just took a look at Bunspace and they do offer rehoming posts! Thank you so much for that excellent suggestion! I also posted a thread similar to this one on Rabbits Online but I did add on there that if anyone was interested that they could contact me. I really would love to do home visits but unfortunately I’m on quite a bit of a time restraint It’s certainly a good idea to add it in the advertisement though, that would definitely weed out some canidates. I will be doing interviews with canidates though and I’ll be sure to do a thourough job Thank you so much for your kind well wishes! It is a very difficult situation and I just hope I can find the best for them.

[Caroline22]

Ugh. This must be so hard for you. I live in Texas, but I’m in the greater Houston area (hopefully moving to Austin soon though!). I hope your search for a new home goes well! I know not all people on Craigslist are sketchy (that’s where I originally looked for a rabbit, but decided to adopt instead), but I’d definitely try to weave through the weirdos!

[SamieLee]

Posted By Caroline22 on 04/10/2013 12:27 AM

Ugh. This must be so hard for you. I live in Texas, but I’m in the greater Houston area (hopefully moving to Austin soon though!). I hope your search for a new home goes well! I know not all people on Craigslist are sketchy (that’s where I originally looked for a rabbit, but decided to adopt instead), but I’d definitely try to weave through the weirdos!

Thank you so much for your well wishes! As luck would have it, I found a wonderful person who seems like she’d give the perfect home to my rabbits! The most incredible part is I didn’t even have to dig for any information or proof that she’d provide a good home to them, she gave it all to me herself in one email! I am so truly grateful, this couldn’t have come at a better time! Fingers crossed that all of this works out in the end!

P.S. If you do move to Austin I can tell you now that you will love it! I don’t live within Austin myself but I live about 40 mins away so I’ve visited there frequently, it’s really a cool place! I hope it works out for you!

[jerseygirl]

I don’t want to come across as negative here but do urge you to be cautious. Continue to communicate further with this person and find out as much as possible. Try establish you are not just being told what someone thinks you would want to hear.

If I were in your situation I would even stipulate that if the new owners later decide it was a mistake to take them, then the rabbits are to returned to you, no questions asked. I don’t think this could be enforced but if they honor the agreement in the event, then at least you have control again of where the rabbits will go.

[SamieLee]

Posted By jerseygirl on 04/11/2013 05:27 PM

I don’t want to come across as negative here but do urge you to be cautious. Continue to communicate further with this person and find out as much as possible. Try establish you are not just being told what someone thinks you would want to hear.

If I were in your situation I would even stipulate that if the new owners later decide it was a mistake to take them, then the rabbits are to returned to you, no questions asked. I don’t think this could be enforced but if they honor the agreement in the event, then at least you have control again of where the rabbits will go.

Thank you for looking out for my best interest. She did offer to send pictures of the current set up she has for her two Flemish Giants as well as the run and the set up she will have for my rabbits. She also agreed to send me updates I’ll definitely let her know that if she no longer feels able to care for them that I can take them in once again. I’m really hoping that she can stay committed though.

[Roberta]

If the lady already has buns it might be an idea to ask her if she is on Binky Bunny already or Bunspace. You could get an idea from past posts and participation.

[Caroline22]

Yeah definitely get some pictures of their living arrangements. Also, is she planning on trying to bond your two buns with the ones she already has? I’m assuming that she’s probably a good bunny owner if she has two flemish giants of all breeds, but you never know.

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