Somebunny to Love: Why Adopted Rabbits are a Hare Above the Rest!

Somebunny to love: Why Adopted Rabbits are a Hare above the Rest! 

When thinking about a loving, playful, and interactive pet, you probably wouldn’t think of a rabbit. Let us show you just why they make incredible pets and why adoption is the best choice. 

What makes rabbits unique pets? 

Rabbits make incredible pets—they’re affectionate, playful, and highly interactive. Many rabbits will learn to recognize their owner’s voices and will follow them around the home. Rabbits love gentle petting and interaction, making them wonderful companions for those who get to know them at their pace. 

As well as being very affectionate, rabbits also have an incredibly playful side and are highly intelligent. They can be trained to do tricks like “stand,” or “spin.” They love tunnels, mazes, and jumps so setting up the home for plenty of free-roam enrichment becomes quite the hobby for the rabbit care givers not just the buns. A rabbit’s curiosity is endless and watching them go on mini adventures is so much fun! 

Caring for rabbits is a big commitment 

Even though rabbits make amazing pets, they’re not the ‘easy’ or ‘starter’ pet that many people believe they are. They need daily care and attention, with plenty of bunny-proofed space to roam around. Cages and huts that are marketed for rabbits are actually much too small and cramped. Rabbits do much better with penned off areas, full rooms, or even access to the whole home all the time. They need space to run, hop, and binky (a brilliantly wild type of jump bunnies do when they’re extra happy!). 

Because rabbits are prey animals, they can often be very skittish and may require a lot of patience and gentle handling when you first bring them home. It can take some time for them to learn that the big thing hovering over them is not going to swoop down and carry them away for supper! They don’t like to be picked up, but over time they may show that they enjoy being up high and will jump up on to the couch to binge-watch your favourite series with you.  

They also have a very specialized diet. Despite Bugs Bunny’s propaganda, rabbits cannot survive on carrots (in fact, that’s really bad for them!) Rabbit diets consist mostly of hay with pellets, fresh greens, and the occasional tiny fruit treat, and plenty of fresh water.  

Did you know rabbits are classed as exotic animals? They have to go to specialized exotic vets for all their veterinary needs, including yearly vaccinations.  

Rabbits are not a low-maintenance pet and are as much work as cats or dogs. They are social animals that need daily enrichment, interaction, and exercise to stay healthy and happy. They are also a long-term commitment as they often live up to 10 years or more!  

So why is adoption better than getting a rabbit from a pet store? 

Aside from the ethical choice about adoption versus store-bought pets, the fact is that adopting with CHS is the smarter choice. Our rabbits are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and recovered—an advantage for adopters since these procedures can be costly and may carry risks if done privately. Rabbits that aren’t spayed or neutered are prone to severe health problems as well as behaviour issues.  

Adopters also get the benefit of advice and support from our experienced shelter staff, incredible vet team, and our outstanding volunteer Bunny Huggers who provide us with so much insight into each bunny’s quirks – we can help you find the rabbit for you and your home.  This support doesn’t end once you’ve brought your new friend home. We offer a lifetime of support for questions, concerns, and advice for all thing’s bunny!  

Adopting also means that you are supporting the shelter and our efforts to provide our rabbits a second chance and the adoption fees go towards helping the rest of our animals. We understand that sometimes an animal may not be the best fit for a home, so we offer adopters the option to return their pet within the first six weeks. Our team will gladly continue working with you to find an animal better suited to your lifestyle  

What are you waiting for? Hop to it! 

Rabbits bring so much joy to those who understand their needs and are willing to make the commitment to their care. They are affectionate, playful, and curious pets that deserve the right environment and a loving home. By choosing adoption, not only do you give a rabbit a second chance, but you support the welfare of animals in need and find the perfect pet match. For those ready to commit, adopting a rabbit is an incredibly rewarding choice!  

Kerry-Leigh Fox, CHS Adoption Counsellor