Sailing Around the World??

[colleenbunny]

Not quite sure where I should’ve put this but I think this is the right place?? Anyways, my parents have been talking for years about quitting their jobs and sailing around the world, but they’ve finally decided to go for it this summer. Our family consists of my mom and dad, my older brother (who’s going off to college this summer), me, my younger brother and sister, our 6 month old border collie Rosie, and our bunny, Pepper.

The plan is currently to sell our sailboat to buy a catamaran, and we’re most likely leaving mid-summer this year. For Rosie, if my older brother bringing her to his college can’t work out, we fortunately have some family friends that can look after her while we’re away.

The catch is what to do with Pepper – we could try to find someone that wants an indoor bunny, or we could take him with us. I’ve seen a few dogs and cats that have adjusted really well to sailing, but I haven’t been able to find anything about sailing with a rabbit. I realize that having a bunny on the boat wouldn’t be ideal, but the Catamaran would be fairly stable, and I’d probably have a hard time trying to find someone who would be willing to have him as an indoor rabbit. The few people I’ve talked to who have rabbits either keep them outside in hutches or keep them inside in the tiny pet store cages.

Just wanted to hear from people what they think I should do, and if anyone has done anything similar!

[DesertBunny]

I am sorry but I do not think a bunny would be at home on a boat. A catamaran is not exactly what I would call a stable platform even for humans. Now if bunny wants to take a Carnival Cruise that would be different. Remember, other than the bunny who “attacked” President Jimmy Carter, they are not fans of water. Years ago some %*#&%# dumped a bunch of bunnies out at Lake Pleasant here and many of them drowned. It made me so angry and sad.

[tobyluv]

I don’t think this would be ideal for a rabbit, and maybe not for any animal. What if you needed vet care? You may not be able to find a vet to treat rabbits in whatever country you would be near, and due to restrictions, you may not even be able to bring an animal into certain countries.

How do you house Pepper now? If you have an x-pen and can find someone who will give him good care for all the time you are gone, even if he has to be confined more than he is used to, I think would be a better way to go. You can always buy an x-pen if you have a good home for him to stay in. You need to make sure that whoever keeps him is well versed in rabbit care, or that they are willing to learn all that they need.

[Q8bunny]

Hi CM. I’m a sailor and a bunny mommy, and can tell you from experience that a bunny on a sailboat is not ideal. I’m sorry to contradict Desertbunny, but yes – cats are very stable, especially compared to single keel yachts (I’m assuming a larger cat here, since you guys are attempting a circumnavigation). But nonetheless, there are just too many risk factors inherent in the environment itself, let alone what to do for bun in case of an emergency. Is there any way Rosie could go to stay with your friends and Pepper with your brother? Buns tend to suit the college student schedule quite well and he wouldn’t have to worry about barking complaints or twice daily walks during exams week

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