WW: Have you adopted from rescue?

[Blackberry & Co]

We've adopted/rescued lots of our pets over the years.

The official adoptions have been Lady Jane Willoughy from the Ashley Heath RSPCA, and a few years before that 2 guinea pigs, Sophie & Maise from the same place. Both times they were very clear on what the housing requirements were, asked what we would do if we were away on holiday etc. They were very thorough, and did homechecks, but were also very friendly and helpful.

Blackberry, Dandelion, Buttercup and Clover were dumped where I worked, and I fell in love and bought them home. We took in 2 budgies, Frankie and Jonny)who had been left in a Council house when the owner died (again that was through work, but a different place), mum found a check who had been left on the common when she took the dog for a walk, and Chicken George lived with us for years - she was awesome! Coco (dog) was a stray who invited himself in, no-one claimed him so he stayed. Ben (Yorkie) was being rehomed when his owner was too ill to look after him.

We'd always adopt if possible now.

Only bad experience we had was with a local dog centre, who didn't let you have any choice in what dog you rehomed - we'd heard of a few people who were given unsuitable dogs for them (elderly people with large and very strong dogs they couldn't handle etc), and when we saw one up for adoption who we would have loved to give a home to we were told we couldn't ask to meet a specific dog, they'd tell us what we could have. As we'd had that breed of dog before along with several other dogs it's not like we were inexperienced, and their domineering attitude put us off. Thankfully most other rescue places seem friendly and helpful.

 

[Redhelen]

My two lovely buns came from our local RSPCA branch. I saw Arthur online, rang and enquired and then went to meet him and chose Elsie for his wifebun. While they bonded them, I sorted out their accomodation (with advise from the RSPCA so that I was sure I was getting it right) Then a homecheck - I was really nervous about that, but the homechecker was lovely. And my dogs pretty much took over

So really it was a painless procedure, and at the end I had my two gorgeous buns, vaccinated, microchipped, neutered and bonded. What more could you possible want?

 

[Bess&George]

I adopted my two rabbits from a private rescue. I do of course love my rabbits but now that I know better I wouldn't go through anyone private anymore and would choose a larger rescue with a good reputation.

The rabbits were vaccinated and neutered, but there was no home check which I found a bit odd at the time. One of the rabbits started having some health issues pretty much as soon as I got him. I was new to rabbits at the time so contacted the rescue for some advice but never heard from them again after I collected the rabbits and my emails/calls were not returned.

So overall it was a steep learning curve for me from day one, but over two years later the bunnies are still going strong and seem happy so I must be doing something right. And of course I could never thank RU enough for all the good advice I've received during this time!

 

[RogerRabbit999]

My rabbits and guinea pigs are adopted from rescues. I always choose rabbits that are most in need of a home, be it 'special needs', behavioural issues or have simply been there a long time and are constantly overlooked. Colours, ears, size etc play no part whatsoever in my choice, it is all about the actual rabbits individual needs.

If anyone is undecided between buying rabbits or rescuing, the most important thing to bear in mind is that buying rabbits, especially baby bunnies, will ALWAYS be unknown quantaties, and I personally believe that is why so many get cast aside. Bought rabbits may have underlying health issues not yet apparent. Baby bunnies may or may not like being handled or cuddled when they are fully grown, and so if you want a bunny to cuddle you can only be sure of getting one if you rescue a bun that the rescue has got to know and has seen how he/she reacts to being handled/cuddled.

To sum it up, I think rescue buns are by far the better choice because what you see and want is what you will get, and so you won't get any nasty surprises temperament wise a few months down the line.

If you choose to buy, can you honestly say that if when fully grown, and your cute little ball of fluff then attacks and bites you every time you try to pick it up (and you will have to, so as to look after it properly), and then it turns out to have some chronic longterm/permanent illness, that you are going to be able to accommodate such things and be perfectly happy to? If you have any doubt whatsoever, then a rescue rabbit is the right choice to make, or buy a goldfish!!

 

[catxx]

Bob and Pat are my first and current rescue bunnies. It was a long process adopting from Rabbit Residence, but I respected that Caroline wanted everything perfect and will not back down on her standards! All home checking was done by photos, discussion, and visiting the rescue and speaking with Caroline. She saw the set up in person when she delivered the bunnies - she delivers every pair personally.

 

[Lisa F]

Eric and Ernie came from RSPCA Block Fen. They totally chose us (we were NOT looking to get rabbits at the time) by being super cute and just generally stealing our hearts! We didn't have a home check, we just had to supply photos of the hutch/run setup. We also told them about our bunny-shed plans.

It was a super easy process with the added bonus of getting a strongly bonded pair. I love baby rabbits but it's so much less stressful to get a fully grown, already bonded pair.

 

[anaqi]

I have mixed experiences of adopting from rescues.

Last year I adopted Rosie and Peter as a bonded pair. We were told they were both in good health but when we got them home it was obvious Peter had some issues. His eyes were cloudy and his back legs were weak. I thought maybe he was older than they said he was but I was wrong. We also noticed that his back feet were very matted. I had to cut the matted clumps of poo and fur off with scissors, which wasn't an easy task as Peter did not like to be handled.

They both settled in well but after three weeks Peter developed an abscess under his jaw. The vet checked his teeth, which were fine, and they also checked his bottom which to my embarrassment was also caked with poo! Peter had to have the abscess drained and I had to take on the role of his nurse, keeping the abscess site clean, bathing it with manuka honey, giving him oral pain killers and antibiotic injections. Unfortunately his recovery was not good, he took a turn for the worse, he kept falling over and losing control of his bladder. The vet suspected E. Cuniculi but his symptoms were too severe for treatment so we took the hard decision of putting Peter to sleep. I'd only had him for four weeks and I was heartbroken. He was such a little character and such a brave rabbit.

I didn't want Rosie to live on her own so we approached another rescue where we saw Edward. Edward and Rosie hit it off straight away and they were grooming each other within 10 minutes of meeting. The rescue were very busy and unable to do a bonding for me but they gave me a lot of tips and support and I took Edward and Rosie home. I kept them in a puppy pen in my conservatory for 10 days but it was obvious it was love at first sight. Now Edward and Rosie are a very happy couple living outdoors in their hutch and run.

Despite my difficult first experience I would definitely adopt from a rescue again, but I have learned that some rescues are better than others and I shouldn't be afraid to ask questions about a rabbits health and history.

 

[mabels mum]

I adopted Arthur from rescue after they bonded him with Mabel who came from a pet shop in my days of ignorance. The rescue were fantastic and took lots of stress and hassel away. I feel a real sense of achievement adopting Arthur. The home check was fine and I'd always rescue in future. The only negative is that he suffered weight loss as a symptom of coccidia which he probably picked up in rescue. The rescue had him vaccinated, neutered and vet checked but there's only so many tests they can do i suppose. He's now treated and in the clear and is a very happy bun.

 

[Apache]

I've done this too, I got my wonderful Alfred from the RSPCA over 9 years ago, I sadly had to PTS last month, and then adopted the lovely Paddington from another rescue.

The RSPCA branch I got Alfred from would no longer rehome single house rabbits, which was why I went to a different rescue recently.

I was also lucky that both where neutered before I got them too.

 

[liz.lewis15]

Both of ours are rescues. Sage was a true rescue bunny after she was abandoned in a garden when her owners moved out and left her for 3 weeks with no cage or food. We found out through the grapevine and as soon as I heard I had to go and get her. We had no history and didn't even know if she was a boy or girl. Unvaccinated, no idea of age, and turned out she was in the early stages of pregnancy once the vet had started her spay. but she's fine now! We got Gatsby from a rescue centre because she needed a buddy and we would have got whoever was suitable and available as it was more important for her to have a friend and socialise. We did have a reserve on one at a different centre but they took nearly 2 months of sorting themselves and ignoring phone calls so we found Gatsby at another rescue centre. We knew we needed a boy of about the same size but that was it! We were asked to show photos of our setup, which well exceeded all their basic requirements! And then had to prove we were able to carry out the bonding with a space and everything. Initially we were a bit nervous of doing this based on what they told us and how it can take months and months, but our two escaped their pens to be together after 1 week and have been inseparable ever since! I'd definitely adopt again (in fact I'm on the lookout for number 3, just persuading the OH!) because there are so many in need of homes and I just love to spoil them rotten!


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[Den]

My first rabbit in 1980 was from a friend who's doe had young. A well meaning boyfriend bought my second from a pet shop in 1988 when first rabbit Rosie died.

When I came back to rabbits in 2013 Google research led me to Rabbit Rehome and it was a no - brainer -adopt.

I was turned down by one Rescue as they did not like the hutch and run OH built for me. The attached run was not tall enough -they wanted 3 ft and mine was 2ft 6. And they were attached by ramp -carpets and shallow as custom built - not a cheap p@h one. I was gutted but found another rescue who did accept my setup.

I adopted Poppy and Will in April 2013. When Poppy sadly passed away after just 13 weeks we adopted Nancy as Will's new companion.

Now I know the importance of vaccination and neutering and, more importantly the amount of rabbits in rescue, I couldn't buy one from a shop or breeders now. I realise I may sound hypocritical bearing in mind the history of my early rabbits, but I do understand why the rescue people on here get frustrated at times.

 

[keletkezes]

Since watching Animal Hospital (or one of those programmes) in the 90s with its Rescue section, I never wanted to buy again: one rabbit, an agouti, was featured and had been in the rescue for years. If we hadn't still had Charlie at the time, I'd've persuaded my parents that he needed us! Lopsy was a 'rescue' from being unwanted, and I've resisted the urge to just buy him a friend even though that would help him NOW rather than later when his setup is suitable, because it wouldn't be worth my conscience!

 

[J&R]

Fiver came from Rabbit residence rescue and I wouldn't hesitate to rescue from there again.
Rosie had come to me from a bad home and once she was neutered and vaccinated I contacted RRR and Caroline invited me for a visit. I took photos of my set up when I went and we had a chat about Rosie and although I wasn't an experienced rabbit owner, Caroline was pleased with how much research I'd done and showed me her single boys to see who I liked the look of.
i booked Rosie in for boarding whilst I went on holiday so she could 'date' all the single boys and see who she got on best with so I dropped her off one Saturday before going off on holiday. Caroline asked who I wanted to try her with first, so I said 'whoever has been here longest' which turned out to be both Fiver and his son who had been at the rescue for about 18 months.
Although she didn't get on with fiver at the start, they just ignored each other it then turned out she wasn't interested in any of the boys so Caroline tried them together again and eventually they became friends
Caroline emailed me every day whilst I was on holiday with updates which was really reassuring, and the day I got home she brought them both home so she could do an in person home check. After a couple of weeks I was worried they didn't seem loved up like so many bunnies on here so contacted Caroline who told me not to worry, their bond would grow over time and of course she was right!

 

[AJ14211]

I adopted a rescue bunny as company for my lad Merlin, Rascal is a younger bunny so he is more active now and it's been good to give her a good home as I was her third home, she had two home before going to the rabbit rescue centre at just over two years old, they are very loved up and look out for each other so I'm pleased I got her.

 

[Mollie100]

We adopted two guinea pigs from BARC and Angie said as we left with them "See you when you come to adopt a rabbit or two!" - she's not daft is she?! :lol:

Well we discussed rabbits a lot at home and I did my research on here and I kept showing my husband pics of rescue rabbits to try and tempt him lol. Jack (then Gabriel) was the first rabbit that appealed to my husband. I showed him his picture and husband said "I could take to him!" so that was that really lol. I composed a pm on here explaining where I would house him etc. and even though it was very close to Christmas (possibly Christmas Day!) Angie replied and we sorted it all out via a few PM's! I spotted Angie's post about Hollie meanwhile and we tentatively reserved her (pending a successful bonding!)

We had to wait for Jack to be neutered etc and as Hollie was only very young we knew we'd have to wait for her to be old enough to be spayed and to recover etc so we took Jack as a lone bunny to start with. This actually worked really well as it gave me a chance tobbond properly with him. In time we took Jack back to Angie to bond him with Hollie - luckily it all went well and they came home as a happy couple!

They've both been healthy, happy bunnies. They are friendly and lively and we love them to bits. xx

 

[Hc1]

Yes, I have several times adopted from a rescue. My first bunny was bought from a shop. The advice I got from them was bad, and never, ever again!

One of my adoptions didn't work out (my existing bun bullied the new bun, not the usual stuff, but quite bad and I really felt he was suffering) After talking to the lady at the sanctuary, we both thought it wasn't fair on new bun and she took him back. I don't think you'd get that with a shop/breeder. I board my buns with her and so regularly see him with his new companion, much happier. For the SSPCA I just had to fill in a questionnaire, including questions about illness/vets/holidays etc. The other rescues accepted photos of the accommodation along with a questionnaire, and I later sent them photos of bunny in their new accommodation.

I would definitely advise adopting from a rescue, their first interest is generally the bunny, not the sale. When I got my first bunny I had no idea what was involved and it was a shock to realise the cleaning out/holiday boarding problems etc and realising that this would be for the next 8 - 10 years. I'm not sure I'll have any buns after these due to my circumstances (though I can't imagine being without them) but if I do, it'll be rescue all the way.

 

[FloLo]

We've adopted three from the shelter - Blossom (Mum), Odie & Zelda (boys).
The shelter showed us all the available bunnies, and introduced us to the family of mum and four kittens! We fell in love with them all, and decided to take the two boys and Mum (as we felt she may be left alone after the babies had gone).
Home check was fine, the guy was really lovely, and thought our space was great for them.
Best decision we've ever made, though unfortunately Blossom went missing about 2 years ago now and we miss her loads ):
Odie and Zelda are great though, lovely & very cheeky pair!!