Rescued Lost Bunny!!

[DPisarri]

Hi everyone!  Im new to the forum but I’ve been a bunny mommy for 8 1/2 years.  

This weekend I noticed in my community a Lion Head bunny which appeared to be “let go” by her owner.  

Being a bunny owner/lover, of course this made my heart bleed.  I spent many hours this weekend trying to capture this lil cutie.  She seemed very friendly, VERY content where she was but not at all interested in being caught. She was “living” too close to a busy road and its rain season and HOT in South Florida right now.  I couldn’t stop thinking about her.  I tried contacting a local bunny rescue and got no response!!!    Tonight I finally got her.  She is a DOLL!!!!  she loves to be held and pet.  (My bun bun Louis is kinda snobby so this is a big treat to me)  We keep Louis in a big penned area inside.  She (yes she…..) is litter trained and when we are home she has freedom of the home.  Im so glad we kept her cage from when she was little, giving us an easy place to keep the abandoned bunny for tonight.  I’ll be taking her to the vet to be checked out in the morning (at first glance she seems VERY clean ~ears and all~  which is great news since neighbors have told me they have seen her for at LEAST a month!!  My question is, is it ok to put the cage a little close to Louis’ enclosure tonight? Or should I wait for a clean bill of health from the vet tomorrow?  I know the introduction should take a little time but Im excited and would like for them to at least see each other.  Is it too soon?  

Any suggestions/help is much appreciated!  Im so excited to have another lil bunny!!  

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I wouldn’t put them close just in case-mites or fleas can move easily between them if she has anything and it wouldn’t be readily apparent. I’d go slowly.

And maybe you want to put up posters in case someone lost her and is missing her-depends where you live, but usually the law is you have to look for the owner for a reasonable time period before you get to keep them.

Let us know how the vet trip goes-it would be really neat if you get to keep him/her and she loves being held!

[LittlePuffyTail]

That is so awesome that you caught her! Poor little bun! Thanks for helping her!

I wouldn’t let her near your current bun until the vet has given her the okay. I always quarantine any new bunny for several weeks just to be on the safe side.

Make sure to have the vet assess whether they think she has been spayed or not. Sometimes there is an incision scar. If she was “let go”, though, I doubt she has been spayed.

[DPisarri]

Thank you for the replies.  She got a clean bill of health from the vet. YAY!!!  We have decided to name her Dora.  She’s such a friendly little girl (vet is guessing 6-10 most old which means she was probably an Easter gift….. grrrrrrrr!!!)  I so badly want to keep her.  I’m dealing with a few issues though and I’m not sure what to do.

  My bunny is 8 1/2 years old.  She’s very picky and set in her ways.  We went through the chewing stages and I went through all of the “new mom” stages with her.(worry, learning, etc..)  She has a large space we keep her in unless we are home (and awake)  She’s such a good girl we could PROBABLY let her run free all of the time but for her safety we let her run around when we are home/awake only. 

We have tile flooring except for a large area rug in the living room.  Louis LOVES to run around in the living room and has no interest at all in chewing on furniture or scampering off onto the slippery (for her), tile. Dora is a bit bigger than Louie and although so friendly, she’s VERY curious. (of course)

I have let her out of the cage she’s in for now (Dr’s orders) in the kitchen only. She’s not bothered by the tile at all.  I really don’t know if we have enough space in our home for Dora to really exercise. And if in fact we DO, I really don’t know how I would keep her from gnawing on furniture (we all know how fast that can happen)  All cords etc are bunny proofed since day one with Louis so that isn’t a concern. 

 Dora also has long hair and poor hubby (who looooooves Dora) is sneezing up a storm already.  I’ve been in contact with a local rabbit rescue since the day I first saw Dora outside.  Should I let the rescue take her and find her a home with big space and a bunny friend who is male and more her age?  Or should I go ahead and make the appt for Dora to be spayed and HOPE they get along…..  and what if they don’t?…….  I’ll have more of my heart invested in her by then……  (Im a big softy)  Most important thing to me is that Dora gets the safest and best comfortable home whether it be with me or someone else.  But also, that my lil ol Louis lives her years out as happy as she always has been……  Suggestions?  Words of encouragement?   

D.

[LBJ10]

Would the rescue let you “foster” Dora? They could pay to have her spayed. Then you could see if Louis would like a friend this late in life. If she happens to like Dora, then you could adopt her. If it doesn’t work out, then the rescue could find her a different home. That is just an idea. I don’t know if the rescue would be willing to do that or not.

As far as Louis goes, I suppose it could go either way. You might be surprised by her reaction to a potential friend. All this time as an only bunny, she might actually enjoy company. You never know. There is also the possibility that she is grumpy and set in her ways. It’s up to you if you want to take that chance. I guess, if it were me, I would want to take it.

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