Adopting an older rabbit - Update 2/1 New addition (But he's only 3) + pics

[TheThreeB's]

Hi all

We are hoping to find a lovely boyfriend for our single doe Dottie.

She's had one unsuccessful 'date' and I've been trawling the rescue websites in the hope of finding somebun suitable. It's proving more difficult than I thought.

However, I have come across a widowed bun thats six years old ( I don't know if that's classed as elderly, but is a lot older than any of our others). My dh is worried that we might not be able to get insurance for long and that he might have health problems. But I guess it's just as possible that a younger bun might fall ill.

I would like to offer a home to a rabbit that might not be everyone's first choice but is equally deserving of a good home.

I don't know, wondered if it's something others would hesitate over? Dottie is one btw. Thank you x

[Liz47]

I wouldn't hesitate over it in the sense that I wouldn't class 6 as particularly elderly, so wouldn't be too concerned about health problems etc. I'm not sure about insurance though, but I have been able to insure my 10 year old dog easily with a reasonable price so there may be companies that are good with insurance for older bunnies too. I may however be concerned about the age gap, the bun you adopt would most likely pass away sooner and leave Dottie looking for another husbun again. Although if you find your heart set on an older bun I wouldn't rule him out, Beano is 7 and Jake is 2 and I don't really worry about the age gap and that we are likely to have to find Jake another friend once Beano passes, they enjoy each others company and are a lovely couple so I just enjoy spending the time we have with them both. Good luck whatever you decide

[daphnephoebe]

I wouldn't worry about age gap for bonding.

For us here, we wouldn't class him as old. But in insurance you'll probably have trouble getting cover due to his age... I think they class them as geriatric at 6 years

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[TheThreeB's]

Thank you both for your replies.

I think our main concern would definitely be insurance. I've been doing some research and it does look like they all only go up to age five for beginning a policy.

I'm just speculating at the moment as I haven't enquired and dont actually know if they even rehome to our area, or if they'd even get on! x

[Omi]

I think there was a thread recently about insuring older rabbits. I will see if I can find it

ETA http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/sh...ighlight=Buddy

[Babsie]

Thank you both for your replies.

I think our main concern would definitely be insurance. I've been doing some research and it does look like they all only go up to age five for beginning a policy.

I'm just speculating at the moment as I haven't enquired and dont actually know if they even rehome to our area, or if they'd even get on! x

Yes, policies have to start before the age of 5, so you'd have to be prepared to just foot the bills as they happen or plonk a tidy bundle into a savings account for vet bills.

[Pippin'sMum]

The Rescue where I am a volunteer will pay for veterinary costs for any bunny adopted who has long term health problems, dental issues, etc. Maybe other rescues would do the same? We struggle sometimes to get homes for older bunnies or those with health problems. Good luck with your search

[TheThreeB's]

Thanks everyone.

Thanks for the link Omi, very useful. I'm going to look into NCI as it sounds like they might do up to age 7. I've never heard of them but if the premiums aren't ridiculous x

[tlcwrites]

The other alternative if taking on an older rabbit doesn't work out for you, is maybe a "special needs" rabbit? These are also overlooked based on the potential difficulties. I chose Erasmus to bond with Athena and River for this reason. His "special need" is being deaf, and so long as you don't startle him or tease him with food, he's the loveliest rabbit. However, because he was a known biter and, literally just before he came to me he was discovered to be deaf, it probably put several adopters off.

[Santa]

Honestly? If your other rabbit is young, I'd adopt another young rabbit. The profile of rabbits in rescue is completely different to that of cats or dogs. In cat/dog rescue, youngsters get snapped up and the older ones stay stuck at the rescue for ages, so it works well to want to adopt an older animal.

With the exception of those with known health problems, I'd say it's the other way round for rabbits. Because they breed so prolifically and get given up to rescue when they are much younger, there tend to be loads of healthy youngsters in rescue and fewer oldies. The oldies therefore can get rehomed more easily because there aren't as many of them and plenty of people are looking for older rabbits to bond with bereaved older bunnies. When I was left with a 9 year old rabbit after her partner died, I spent ages trying to find an older rabbit in rescue to bond her with and just couldn't find one. The only one I did find was snapped up by someone else while I was waiting for a home check, and I ended up having to adopt one much younger than I really wanted to.

If you're looking to rehome a rabbit that might not be everyone's first choice, rather than an older rabbit, I'd suggest an agouti coloured or black rabbit. They tend to hang around in rescues for ages because they are overlooked in favour of the 'prettier' colours. Just thought I'd give a different angle