Finding a New Home for a Rabbit




What to do:  
  • Post an ad on Rescue Me and set a minimum price of $25.  Many people will gladly take free or cheap rabbits to make stew, feed to snakes, or allow dogs to kill or terrorize them.  Use the potential adoption questions below as a guide to help find the right home.
  • Contact the local SPCA at (214) 742-7722.
  • Find links and information from the House Rabbit Society page at Finding a Home for an Unwanted Rabbit.
  • Contact us at [email protected].  We can help you keep your house rabbit.




What NOT to do:
  • Do NOT release a rabbit outside.  Domestic rabbits dumped in this way usually die horrific deaths due to predatory animals, starvation, or exposure to weather conditions.  They are domesticated and are NOT able to survive on their own. 
  • Do NOT list rabbits on Craigslist or the newspaper classifieds for free or a "cheap price."  As stated above, set a minimum price of at least $25.  This fee will help exclude them from ending up on someone's plate, as a meal for their pet reptile, or used as a "toy" for their dog to kill and torment.




Potential Adoption Questions:
To screen people who answer your ad, imagine what kind of home you want for your rabbit, and then stick to your ideal.  Engage the caller in a conversation about their past pets to find out what they're looking for in a pet.           Explain that you are asking questions because you want the new owner and the rabbit to be happy.  Feel free to use the following questions when screening for new homes for your rabbit. 

  • Which adult(s) in the family will be the primary caretaker(s)?
  • Are you prepared for a possible 10-year commitment to this rabbit?
  • Does everyone in your family want a rabbit?
  • Rabbits are considered exotic animals and their veterinary care is expensive; bills can easily reach hundreds of dollars.  Are you prepared to provide this level of care, should it be necessary for your pet?
  • Is anyone in your home allergic to rabbits or hay?
  • Do you have an appropriately sized cage (or x-pen) and necessary supplies?
  • Is your home "bunny-proofed?"
  • Do you have animals that could endanger the rabbit?  (Rabbits can die even when only frightened by a predator.)
  • Have you had a rabbit before?  Where is it now?
  • Will you be able to supervise any children around this rabbit?
  • Are you allowed to have rabbits in your house/apartment?
  • If you move, get married, have a baby, or if the kids lose interest, are you prepared to keep your rabbit?