As you begin to think about adding a rabbit companion to your family, its only natural to start looking at rabbits and to base your initial choice on appearance. Are you attracted to the spotted lop-eared bunnies? Or perhaps the big, white rabbits with the mellow temperaments? Many peoples favorites are the little tiny dwarf rabbits. But, what can you tell about a rabbit by his looks? And, can the rabbits “look” tell you if he will be a good match for you?
When preparing to adopt a rabbit, it is important to consider not only the health of the rabbit, but also the rabbit’s temperament and activity level. Of course, you need to be attracted to your new companion, but the personality of the rabbit and expectations of your family members should play a big part when making your decision. Is your home better suited to a quiet, older rabbit? Or are you interested in a smaller, active bunny? Remember, rabbits are like people in that they have a full range of personalities. Sometimes a “difficult” rabbit may not be so demanding in the right, experienced home. Do you have other pets? Small children? Live in an apartment or a house? All of these factors must be considered when choosing a rabbit who is a good “match” for you.
Often, smaller rabbits are more difficult to handle and have more “high strung” personalities, making them a poor choice for young children. Some of the “lop eared” breeds have a history of health problems that you should investigate before making that choice. The big white bunnies, who so many people react to as “so big,” are often the best choice for a first-time rabbit family based on their friendly, easy-going natures. Big bunnies are difficult for children to pick-up, requiring them to get down on the floor to interact with bunny – the perfect place to make friends with your new rabbit companion.
One of the many benefits of adopting through the House Rabbit Society with its network of foster homes is that a rabbit in a home setting will let his personality emerge. You, then, can rely on our adoption counselors to tell you a bit about the personality of the rabbits you are interested in meeting. Also, if this is to be your first rabbit, you can rely on us to help educate you about the care and needs of rabbits, and how best to integrate them into your home. Most importantly, when adopting from House Rabbit Society or a local shelter, your rabbit will already be spayed or neutered, preventing the behavior problems usually experienced when bringing an unaltered rabbit into your home.
Contact San Diego House Rabbit Society and let us help you find the “right” rabbit for your family. We can be reached by email at: hrs@sandiegorabbits.org, telephone: 619-718-7777, or visit us on the web at: www.sandiegorabbits.org