Considering re homing rabbits

Fireflyaway

I feel terrible for even thinking it but I'm considering looking to give our 2 rabbits away.
I've always believed animals are for life but I'm wondering if our bunnies might be happier elsewhere.
They are 2 adult females and we got them from a petting farm. Had them 1 year.
I thought they would be sociable as they were handled ever day at the farm but we can't get near them. Can't even stroke them. They run and hide. They seem terrified and that's what upsets me.
I'm thinking if there is someone with a huge run where they have space and don't need to be handled they might have a better life? I want the best for them but feel I've let them down either way!

Red-Squirrel_2

Did you put the effort in to helping them get used to you so you could handle them? are you prepared to do that now? What sort of housing are they in? How much free exercise time do they get?

I don't really agree with rehomimg animals, you made the commitment and unless its exceptional circumstances you owe that animal to take care of it for the rest of its life, not until you get bored of it.

POPPYOSCAR

I also believe that a pet is for life.

However, if you can find a new home for them such as you describe and they would have a better life then go for it.

Mojisola

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

I don't really agree with rehomimg animals, you made the commitment and unless its exceptional circumstances you owe that animal to take care of it for the rest of its life, not until you get bored of it.

I'd generally agree with you but the animals come first and if their lives are improved by finding someone who provide better conditions, I'd say go for it.

We've been the new home that several dogs have come to - I'm sure that we gave them better lives than they would have got if their previous owners had been made to keep them.

Red-Squirrel_2

There aren’t unlimited fabulous homes for every unwanted animal. The OP should make an effort and provide better quality of life for these animals.

TBagpuss

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

There aren’t unlimited fabulous homes for every unwanted animal. The OP should make an effort and provide better quality of life for these animals.

What makes you think the OP hasn't made an effort? It sounds as though she has been trying for a year.

OP, it might be worth you trying to see whether there is a rabbit rescue near you - they might be able to offer you some advice, and if things don't improve, to help find the sort of home which these rabbits need.

Savvy_Sue

You've had them a year. Did you get advice from the petting farm about their needs and how to transition them? How did you come to have them - was the farm closing, or was it selling off these two because they weren't actually very pettable?

Do you have children? Other pets? Just wondering if someone or something has traumatised them?

have you taken advice from a vet, or asked about how to socialise them?

What steps will you take to ensure these animals don't end up being passed on to someone else because they're not the nice fluffy things people expect rabbits to be?

Having said that, friends once had an absolutely vicious rabbit, bite you as soon as look at you. Nothing seemed to work with that!

Red-Squirrel_2

TBagpuss wrote: »

What makes you think the OP hasn't made an effort? It sounds as though she has been trying for a year.

If she answers the questions I asked that will give a clearer picture.

annandale

Are they outdoor or indoor rabbits or a mix of both? My mum has 7 rabbits. They all have their own personalities, in my experience rabbits are quite independent and aren't like cats where you can have them sit and you pet them.

Why do you need to handle them? The only time my mum picks her rabbits up is when they need to go to the vet (actually she may handle them a bit more than that but rarely)

Rabbits are hard work and my view is, if you are going to rehome them please make sure they will go to someone that will care for them and know how to look after them properly

My mum has rehomed guinea pigs who have died soon after because they have been fed on a terrible diet and were malnourished.

Fireflyaway

Thanks for all your replies. I'm not bored of them at all and on the whole I do agree animals are for life. My point is I'm not sure they are happy enough with us.
So we got them from the farm because they apparently we're so friendly they used to jump up on the children so the staff didn't think that was safe. We were told they were handled every day and 2 of the most popular rabbits.
After not being able to get near them for around 4 months I contacted the farm. They told me that rabbits don't like being picked up but are usually fine once you have a hold of them. They also suggested their personalities could have changed.
So they live outside in the largest hutch I could find. It has an upstairs and downstairs. I talk to them when I clean them and feed them. I've tried feeding them by hand letting them sniff me. I've just sat next to the hutch so they get used to me. I don't know what else to try. Even going to stroke them softly they bolt off. If I change the water they run. When I put hay in they go off and hide.
Whenever I have held them on my lap they seem scared, breathing fast and then trying to get away. I sense they are stressed.
I'd rehome them if I knew they would be happier but I am reluctant because I can't guarantee they would be happier....
I've thought of making a huge run attached to the hutch so they can be in the hutch or go in the run without being handled?
They are not time consuming or expensive so that's not the issue. I just hate the feeling that I'm stressing them every time I go near them. We don't have pets or kids that could have stressed them either.

Red-Squirrel_2

Rabbits shouldn’t just be in a hutch, sadly most are but they are really not adequate. Think about a wild rabbit and what they do all day!

Your rabbits need a covered run attached to the hutch at a bare minimum, then they also need plenty of time out of the hutch and run, ideally on grass, ideally every single day.

During their free time, you should sit calmly and quietly in the area they are exploring. Don’t reach out to them, don’t rush it, they will gradually get used to you and eventually realise you are not something to fear! You can use food to hurry this along, put the really tasty stuff right next to you or even in your lap.

Do you want to put that time and effort in? If not, contact a rabbit rescue or give them back to the home where they were happier.