Unfortunately, because of the number of unwanted rabbits in the Kansas City area and the limited number of fosterers, we are unable to take in any rabbits at this time. We hope this information will help you reassess whether you really want to give up your rabbit companion by addressing some of the common problems rabbits create. If you are determined to give up your rabbit, we offer suggestions for finding it a good home.

Allergies

One of the most common (and understandable) reasons people give for trying to place their rabbit is that someone in the family is allergic. Before deciding to give up your rabbit because of allergies, please make sure the rabbit is really the problem and that getting rid of it is the only solution!

If the rabbit's cage is in the bedroom of the person with allergies, try moving the rabbit to a different part of the house for a while. An unused guest room or even the basement is a good place to start. Often, this will alleviate symptoms. Assuming symptoms go away, have the person with allergies spend short amounts of time (20-30 minutes to start with) with the rabbit. Increase the amount of time slowly, watching carefully for any signs of allergies. This technique worked with my husband, who sneezed around a neighbor's rabbit and now lives, symptom-free, with two upstairs and two basement rabbits! If putting some distance between the sufferer and the rabbit does not make allergy symptoms go away, it is quite possible that the rabbit is not the cause of the problem!

Behavior Problems

When rabbits reach about 6-9 months of age, they become adolescents. Most rabbit behavior problems can be traced to raging hormones and will improve within 3-6 months after the rabbit is neutered or spayed. Please consider neutering/spaying your rabbit and giving him/her another chance if your primary reason for calling us is any of the following behavior problems:

1. General loss of litterbox training
2. "Spraying" with urine (more common in males)
3. Agressive behavior or "biting the hand that feeds it" (more common in females)
4. Mounting anything in sight -- your arms, legs, stuffed animals (more common in males)
5. Chewing, digging, tearing up carpet (NOTE: Rabbits do need things they can chew on. Provide untreated wood, old phone books, empty toilet paper rolls, carpet samples, or untreated straw mats or baskets to satisfy chewing instincts)

We recommend the following local veterinarians for neuters or spays:

Dr. Brock Exline (Hecker Animal Clinic) (816) 333-4330
Dr. Jill Sandler (Heartland Animal Clinic) (913) 648-1662
Dr. Noella Allan (Lakewood Animal Clinic) (816) 373-1098

Our Rabbit Doesn't Get Enough Attention

If you really think your rabbit doesn't get enough attention or human interaction, you are probably a better rabbit owner than you think! If he/she has food, water, medical care, and regular exercise time, he/she is better off than most rabbits. If you are concerned that your rabbit spends too much time alone, consider adopting a companion for him/her. Two rabbits are no more trouble than one. They will keep each other happy, healthy, and out of trouble (most destructive behavior is a result of boredom). And when you do have time to spend with them, you'll really enjoy watching them interact!

Our Child Has Lost Interest

If this is your primary reason for calling us, please consider the lesson you are teaching your child about committment and responsibility! Assuming your child asked for the rabbit in the first place, remind him or her that this is a living creature who is totally dependent on him for survival. Pets often represent a child's first lessons in committment to a relationship with another living being. Be sure the message you send is the one you want applied to other commitments in the future!

Finding a Home for Your Rabbit

If you are determined to get rid of your domestic rabbit, do not, under any circumstances, turn him/her loose. Domestic rabbits are completely different from wild rabbits. They have not developed the instincts that allow them to forage for food or outwit (or even recognize) predators. Unless they are rescued immediately by animal control or a kind stranger, they will either slowly die of starvation or become "dinner" for ones of the following predators:
dogs, cats, foxes, raccoons, hawks, owls, snakes . . .

The following are things you can do to find a home for your rabbit:

1. Ask everyone you know (and trust) if they would be interested in a rabbit (you never know until you ask. However, make sure they understand the realities of a pet rabbit -- it is very traumatic for a rabbit to change homes, so make sure his/her new home will be permanent. Do not ask a pet store or the zoo if they would like your rabbit -- if they take it, it will probably be for snake food!

2. Advertise, but do not say "free to good home". A minimum price of $15-$25 should discourage people who are looking for "snake food" (no, we are not kidding). If you live in a suburb, try your local paper first. Include your bunny's best characteristics (e.g. neutered/spayed, litterbox-trained, playful, sociable, intelligent,cuddly -- be creative, but honest!). If you have pictures, the Missouri House Rabbit Society will put them on our website, and potential families will contact you directly, or consider posting them with his/her best qualities and your phone number at one or more of the following places with bulletin boards: veterinarian offices, pet supply stores like PetSmart (NOT pet stores that sell bunnies), grocery stores, places of worship, or office bulletin boards.

3. Interview the people who call. Make sure they know what to expect from a rabbit. Ask about previous and current pets. If your rabbit is used to being indoors, make sure he will continue to be a House Rabbit. If your rabbit is already outdoors, an indoor home -- or one where he/she will be inside during extreme temperatures - is still preferable. Listen to your "gut" -- if you don't feel comfortable with a person, make an excuse and keep looking!

Shelters

If you must get rid of your rabbit quickly, please take him to an animal shelter. Be aware that a rabbit taken to a shelter will probably be euthanized -- but at least death will be humane.