Getting some Easter bunnies today

[Orenoko]

Sorry for the clickbait title - don't worry everyone I'm not buying cute bunnies from the pet shop on a whim! But I have decided to adopt two 9 year olds from a local rescue and just happen to be collecting them today. Their advert pulled on my heartstrings, they've been waiting for a home for a few years so I decided to hopefully give them a nice retirement home for however long they may have. It's been 7 years since we bought new rabbits into our home so it's an odd feeling, plus all our previous rabbits were free roam for such a long time so it's been weird setting up a pen again, but hopefully these two can be free roam with time. Will update with pictures later.

 

[Omi]

How lovely I hope they settle in well and look forward to seeing some photos later.

 

[Orenoko]

Initial pic, Terry (brown) and Gracie (white). Terry looks like a mini lop to me and Gracie a nethie x. They're 10 in July! They came into rescue back in 2024 due to a relationship breakdown They're pretty scared atm so have left them alone to explore their pen in their own time. Gracie has cataracts so is going blind but still has partial sight, luckily we have experience of a blind bunny previously.

 

[Pets mum]

Oh bless them, and how lovely to gjve them a proper home, in their twilight years Hope they soon settle in, I'm sure they will. Look forward to seeing more of them

 

[tulsi]

How superb to give older rabbits a home. I look forward to hearing how they settle in and of course to seeing sweet pictures of them.

 

[Orenoko]

Considering how absolutely heartbroken I was when Lilac died I don't know how I'll cope when the day comes for these two, but I figured that they will find it harder to get a home now and I have extensive experience of all the ailments that come with old age so just thought they would be a good fit. The rescue told us they were actually two of the friendliest in the centre, although they're currently still absolutely terrified.

 

[joey&boo]

Oh my word, what a wonderful announcement. So sweet of you to select older bunnies. They look lovely. You keeping their names? Which I like, just don't want to get prematurely excited about a bunny Gracie on the forum

 

[Orenoko]

Oh my word, what a wonderful announcement. So sweet of you to select older bunnies. They look lovely. You keeping their names? Which I like, just don't want to get prematurely excited about a bunny Gracie on the forum

I thought of forum @Graciee straight away! I think because of their age I'll keep their names. All of my previous rabbits have ended up with nicknames anyway that end up becoming their informal names (I hope I'm not the only one like this!).

 

[Omi]

They are gorgeous and do look very healthy almost ten year olds

 

[Graciee]

Bunny Gracie!

They're both lovely

 

[Orenoko]

Bunny Gracie!

They're both lovely

Must've been a sign!

 

[Orenoko]

They are gorgeous and do look very healthy almost ten year olds

They do appear to be in good health (touch wood), not much vet treatment in the past few years. Gracie had a foot abscess at one stage so I will check her feet when I have a chance to see if I can find any trace of where it might have been.

 

[Mrs]

How lovely! They've found a perfect home!

 

[Orenoko]

They are still pretty shy, they have a covered litter box and are spending most of their time in there and popping out when it's quiet. I was working today so had a camera set up to watch them but yeah, mostly in their box!

 

[Cinnabun14]

Happy homecoming Terry and Gracie! They look so sweet . I'm so glad to see a happy easter bunny story

 

[Orenoko]

They continue to be very very timid, barely coming out of their covered litter tray unless I have to clean it. I know they're eating though which is the main thing. It's been such a long time since I had "new" bunnies that I don't remember what my previous bunnies were like and how long it took them to start showing their personalities. Obviously not going to force them to do anything they're not comfortable with and need to be mindful of how big a change it is for them, it just breaks my heart to see them not really doing much, I wish I could tell them they were safe to come out!

 

[Omi]

I agree. And also it's both bunnies are new, which must make a huge difference compared to the case of one new bunny joining an existing one. They will pick up vibes from each other as to how settled they feel.

You're doing all the right things and gradually I'm sure they will start to feel they can come out.

 

[Orenoko]

I agree. And also it's both bunnies are new, which must make a huge difference compared to the case of one new bunny joining an existing one. They will pick up vibes from each other as to how settled they feel.

You're doing all the right things and gradually I'm sure they will start to feel they can come out.

Funnily enough I just went out to the gym and when I came back they were both sploofing in their box so I think they are relaxing more. I'm in the office tomorrow so will set up my camera again and keep an eye on them.

 

[joey&boo]

Glad they are looking more settled

I think it helped me to think of the 3-3-3 rule for pet adoption
3 days to decompress & destress
3 weeks to start showing some of their personality
3 months to gain trust

obviously not all buns comply to these timeframes, Boo went straight to 3 whereas its still work in progress with Chinook

 

[Orenoko]

Glad they are looking more settled

I think it helped me to think of the 3-3-3 rule for pet adoption
3 days to decompress & destress
3 weeks to start showing some of their personality
3 months to gain trust

obviously not all buns comply to these timeframes, Boo went straight to 3 whereas its still work in progress with Chinook

Yes I was trying to remember this as I'd heard it before in relation to dogs but I couldn't recall all of it! Thanks for the reminder. They are both starting to come out a bit more now, I've seen more activity on the camera and have left bits of food in the pen which have been getting eaten. We are on day 3 so this is definitely a good sign. I was originally thinking of expanding their pen at the weekend but I think I'll leave it longer. I've seen a bit of humping from Terry this morning which I know can be normal in a new environment but I don't want to do anything to inadvertently jeopardise their bond.