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Re: fostering **update page 11**

FHB was a rabbit specialist when there were only 3 in the UK. Ruth worked alongside her for many years & they still discuss difficult cases so she is super savvy & experienced but neither a specialist or exotics (AFAIK)
Yea my vet talks to her and her husband about stuff even now [emoji38]

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Just a quick update for the thread for everyone. Our friend from the rescue centre was due to come round today - I had spent all yesterday afternoon deep cleaning the outside hutch here. Our friend contacted us this morning to say they had an urgent appointment to go to and would be unable to come to see us today. They will be coming round tomorrow evening. At this point, I do not think they will be bringing round the bunny to foster. I think it's to discuss priliminary arrangements. Our friend has already submitted an application on our behalf for this new bunny. We will need to discuss whether we are acceptable to foster (or adopt long term) or not. I haven't exactly done well in teh last 18 months with rabbits so I'm not sure where that goes.
The rescue centre will ring us at the end of this week regarding the bunny to foster/adopt. I will know more then. It is still my own view that we cannot bond Flo here so if we were going to be allowed to adopt then we would have to do so using the help of a 3rd party bonding expert.
I'll keep updating the thread as I know any more.
Craig x
 
You have done everything you could for your rabbits. Just some things can't be fixed. I've had a similar run of events and I'm now starting to bond my oldest (v grumpy but lonely) rescue boy with a rabbit we picked up last weekend. He lost several partners over the last couple of years, from various causes (longterm illness, death under anaesthetic, etc). I was going for a trio, but he doesn't get on with the other boy I got, so I've had to start again. Initial reactions look promising - they are OK sat near to each other through bars. The only thing is, this female rabbit turned out to be a neutered boy, so is also having a slight name change. I hope they bond easily, cos original bunny is a lot happier with company. Some bonds are easier than others - I'm hoping for easier... it will be nice to have him more settled again.

I hope it works out for you and Flo.
 
Yes I have "known" Sky-O for quite a long time and there is no-one better to help you regarding Rabbits.

I have contacted Sky-O and she has been incredibly helpful, insightive and educational as well as supportive. Thank you everyone for recommending Sky-O for this support and help.
 
The rescue probably wants to double check the bunny area to verify it is safe. They already know you and Jan are special people.
 
Update for everyone. Our friend from the rescue came round late yesterday evening. I had a few years - as it’s still painful for me very much. She understood our position and I think she was also not impressed with certain parts of the vetinary intervention with Alfred. Anyway, she said some amazing supportive things to us and explained how we go forward with ‘fostering’. Our foster bun aka ‘bugsy’ will be coming on Saturday. For any bun interested in what bugsy is like, go to blue cross adoption rabbits and you’ll find him there. We will be supported by their bonding expert who will do a plan for us to follow and bugsy will be in the outside hutch plus he will get a nice covered run. Obviously ‘madam’ will not be best pleased and we will have complete separation for 2 weeks minimum whilst they both get used to the status quo. How we then go forward from there depends on how bugsy (we’ll change that name) and mrs feisty get on with body language. I have been communicating with Sky-o who is amazing and I can’t thank her enough so far and I’m sure there will be a raft of help from everyone here to. There is also a Hail Mary option because although the rescue is over run with rabbits awaiting adoption, one of the carers is presently mid way through a bond and if it works then we may have an opportunity to place bugsy and flo with her so they will have neutral ground - something we don’t have.
The plan is foster to adopt and whilst I am still very much grieving, I know for flos wellbeing that we and she need this - although she is not going to like having a lodger outside.
I will of course update the thread accordingly.
Craig.
 
The very best of luck Craig, and I really hope it all works out for all of you. You never know, Flo may just surprise you !
 
We bonded here without a neutral space and Tui was very territorial at the beginning with lots of thumping. In my view it all comes down to trust. They need to be able to trust each other. Two weeks separate sounds very sensible to me. Flo will get used to him being there and I'm sure she will be pleased that he is, whilst also being a bit shocked at first.

Bugsy looks very similar to my Froe, except his brown colour is dark grey on Froe. Markings are very similar though, Size is very similar too. He looks to be very lithe and nimble. Looks healthy. I bet he runs fast like Froe :lol:
 
Bugsy looks full of character with beautiful chocolate markings. Of course I checked out ALL the other buns too and I wish I hadn't because they have a gorgeous grey female lionhead with really long fur. I doubt I could bond two females though. Hope all goes well with Flo when they meet through the bars.
 
Half our garden has now been partitioned off from Flo - she is not a happy bunny. The outdoor hutch has been moved halfway up our garden to a spot on the left which will be shaded from the sun in the afternoon. I can fix a tarpaulin from the hutch to the opposite fence to give shade in the morning. Our ‘guest’ - bugsy has a sort of run but we also now have a secondary metal fence that cuts off half the garden.
The plan as it stands is to let Flo have garden time whilst bugsy is in - she will probably smell and sense him, but not see him. Then when Flo goes in, let bugsy out in his run but not explore any more than that. Some weeks time, we reduce the metal fence but keep it there to provide a neutral zone so Flo and bugsy can meet but not interact. And then see how body language is going. I’m not mentally ready but we need to do this for Flos well being.
Bugsy arrives tomorrow afternoon so it’s going to be a hectic day and I’ve lots to do. I may even get my tent out tomorrow night and kip outside at night next to bugsy so he doesn’t feel quite so isolated.
 
Update.
Bugsy now at our house. First impressions - he’s a flipping giant! He’s huge!!
He’s bust the scales at over 3.5 kilos but he’s not a chunk. He has a broken ear - not quite helicopter more like just broke!
He has some lovely white fur and chocolate markings. He’s sploofed out in the top of the hutch. I think he’s probably stressed as this is a huge upheaval today for him. So I’ve left him just to acclimatise to everything and do what he wants at his pace. I took some video when we put him into his environment which I’ll post later.
His notes say he’s confident, cheeky and friendly. Likes attention loves food!
He is with us on a foster to rehome agreement. So we’ll see how he settles.
 
Aww he sounds lovely Craig and I hope he soon settles down. He's a very lucky bunny to be at Casa Craig, Jan and Flo's :D
 
You have put a lot of thought into this arrangement and done a huge amount of prep, so now all you need is some positive vibes that these lucky bunnies will someday be friends. Sending lots of vibes.

Videos would be a real treat!
 
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