We believe that rescue groups and local shelters are the best places to get a pet rabbit. When you adopt a rabbit from a rescue organization like the House Rabbit Resource Network, you are giving a "second-hand" animal a chance at life in a caring, well prepared home. More good reasons to adopt. You may apply to adopt a foster rabbit by completing our on-line Rabbit Adoption Application. You may also call us at 512-444-EARS (3277) for additional information or questions. The fee to adopt is $55 for a single rabbit and $85 for a pair. All rabbits are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. You will be required to sign an adoption contract. The adoption fee includes a packet of educational materials and a starter kit of food to transition your rabbit. We encourage you to also purchase additional supplies at the time of adoption. The fee we charge only partially covers our expense of having the rabbit spayed or neutered. HRRN rarely recovers the costs associated with spaying/neutering and caring for a foster rabbit via our adoption fee. Depending on a number of factors, it can take from 2-3 days to 2-3 weeks. Once your application to adopt has been received, a volunteer will contact you. If approved and the rabbit in which you are interested is already spayed or neutered, the process can go fairly quickly. If the rabbit has not yet been spayed or neutered, we will make an appointment to do so. Post-surgery, the rabbit is cared for by one of our knowledgeable volunteers to insure there are no complications and the rabbit is eating well prior to going home. If you are a first time rabbit-adopter, we can assist you in selecting a rabbit companion. This will entail a visit to one or more foster homes or the shelter to meet adoptable rabbits. If you are seeking to adopt a rabbit as a companion for a rabbit you already have, this may take a few weeks. The ideal match is to select a bunny of the opposite sex that is of a similar size and age to the adopter's rabbit. The potential adopter would select a first choice and several alternates. The two rabbits are then taken to a "pairing home" for 4-5 days where they are supervised and given time to bond. If the first choice does not work out, then an alternate is tried. Please note: your rabbit must be spayed or neutered prior to pairing. Despite the fact all of our shelter and foster rabbits are altered prior to adoption, we will not consider adoption to a home with an unaltered rabbit. Many first time adopters want suggestions on cages. We can make suggestions primarily based on the size of rabbit/s or space limitations in your home. You may order a cage from HRRN at the time your application has been approved so it will be ready when you bring home your new rabbit companion. In most instances, having a cage built does not add any additional time to the adoption process. If someone finds it to be too much work to fill out a 15-20 minute application and go through a 45 minute phone screening to adopt a companion rabbit that will be part of their lives for the next 8-10 years, then they will not have the commitment of time and love needed to give the rabbit the care s/he deserves. The rabbits we care for have ALL been abandoned in one way or another; they are quite literally "second-hand" animals. The absolute LEAST we can do is to ensure their next home will be their last - a happy and safe home at that, and ensuring their new family knows how to properly and humanely care for them. Remember, that which is easy or free is never valued as much as that which one must work for.
Rabbit Adoption FAQ's