Advice on who to get to bond with Piper

[katbun]

So first of all, it's been a few months since I was on here posting about Joey's health so I should give an update to the situation for those of you that remember that. Joey was doing really well, he was gaining weight, his arthritis was managed, everything was going great. A few nights ago he had a seizure. We rushed his to the emergency vets immediately but it was deemed he could not recover. The vet thought it was some kind of brain tumor. I've never had to put a pet down and I'm still absolutely devastated.

However Piper is my priority now. The two of them came to us together very young, so she's really never been without him, never been alone. She's pretty freaked out, very bolty, and being treated for gut stasis. I caught it very early thankfully and she's doing pretty well, but clearly not happy. Although I may not be ready, I think she really needs to have a friend to boost her confidence and get her out of her hide and eating regularly. She's so food motivated, it's extremely worrying that she doesn't have much appetite. No amount of dental pain or even an ear infection with head tilt has ever stopped her eating. Poor thing.

Problem is I've never bonded bunnies, I'm asking around rescues for calm older males for her but this is taking a little time, I have a few questions and will probably need some ongoing bonding support when we do find a new friend:

a) The time it takes to bond. Do you think even just having a friend in a neighbouring cage might help her stress, while we work on bonding?

b) Do I need to quarantine the new rabbit at all, if he's vaccinated and I get him from a reputable rescue?

c) Trios. One rescue centre I contacted suggested I adopt a pair. I know everything really depends on the bunnies' personalities but could bringing a pair in work, or is there a high chance of Piper being left out? I really don't want to add to her stress. Similarly one rescue has 2 older males, so maybe a trio from singles would be easier?

d) Endless bunny cycle. It's horrible to think about at this time, but someday we'll lose Piper. My career may involve more travel long term, also renting with bunnies is hard, so when she goes it might be time to take a break from bunnies. This is one of the reasons I'm thinking of a trio - with Piper being older, when her time comes the other two would have each other, and maybe I wouldn't feel so bad finding them a new home.

Any thoughts on this would be helpful, I've been in a bit of a haze for the last few days.

 

[joey&boo]

Aww i'm sorry to hear about joey Sweet dreams little man.

a) probably. It lifted Eddy's spirits having a new bun in the house
b) most people seem to. Decades ago I'd bring new bun home from rescue & start bonding straight away. Last 2 bonds they have had a week or so "settling in" which also gives a semi quarantine period I guess. Chinook who I adopted from the RSPCA in Nov seemed responsible, vet check before they released her. She looked the picture of health so had she arrived when I was just about to have a week off work I probably would have started straight away.
c) & D) I think theres a higher chance of it being a stressful bond (for you & bunnies) & it potentially taking longer. I think, assuming Piper went first, the remaining pair would it find it easier going though the rehoming process as they'd have the support of each other. I don't think they'd be easier to rehome as a couple though, as many people might be looking for a new friend for their grieving bun, as you are. Is fostering a bun to bond with Piper an option for you? should work mean you may not be able to offer them a forever home.

On the subject of bonding I'm a massive advocate of letting your bun have a say in their next partner. I've had way easier bonds (like not really bonding at all) when I've taken by bun to a rescue (by arrangement obviously) where they have "speed dated" potential suitors. You can tell a lot from those meetings.

Thinking of you and Piper

 

[Omi]

I agree with j&b's views. I don't think that I would consider adopting a pair to live with Piper. There would be a chance she would get left out within a trio. I am also very sorry to hear about Joey.

I would also say that the last bunny I adopted came vaccinated from a reputable rescue. I did not quarantine him, although he and our existing Doe lived side-by-side for a day or so before bonding.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and obviously just ask for whatever support you need at the time

 

[katbun]

Thanks for the replies, it's so helpful to get insight from people with experience.

On fostering - I would absolutely do this except in a few months I will have to take them abroad . This puts a complication in matters, I wouldn't think a rescue would want a fosterer to do that but you tell me.

On trios - I didn't think of it that way. I wouldn't want a bunny to be left alone grieving as Piper is now, but at least he'd have more chance of rehoming. Obviously I would take as much time and effort as needed to make sure he ended up somewhere that was good for him.

I don't want to take the chance of stressing her out unnecessarily at this time so I'll probably go with a pair bond. I'll ask the centres if we could try some dating, unfortunately there seems to be a shortage of 1) bunny shelters in my area and 2) single older males, so we'll see if I can manage that.