Rabbit kept outside

Question
While visiting relatives I came upon a domestic rabbit being kept outside in a cage.  This got me very upset, and I am trying to educate the owner- I even offered to take the rabbit to my home as we have a house rabbit.  My cousin said they don't bring the rabbit in the house even for short periods of time because it is used to the cold and the warm house could make it sick. Is this as ridiculous as it sounds?  I would like to tell my cousin that I checked with a vet and there was no basis for this logic.  Can you help?  Thanks for your help.
Nancy

Answer
Dear Nancy,

I have heard this over and over again, and it truly is as ridiculous as it sounds.  If that poor rabbit is out in the freezing cold, he will be *grateful* to come into the warm house, as long as it's not outside the comfort temperature range of a bunny (anything over 75 Farenheit is a bit too warm, and certainly 80 Farenheit is too warm for long-term comfort).

It's more dangerous for a rabbit used to the warmth to be put out into the cold, since s/he will not be able to acclimate as quickly and will suffer greatly.  But bringing the poor bunny into a warm house will not make him sick, especially if you do this gradually.  Bring him into a room where it's no warmer than about 60 Farenheit, let him get accustomed to it, and then into the warmer areas.

While it's true that this bunny might have grown an extra-thick coat to deal with the cold weather, NO fur coat is thick enough to protect him in a cage with no shelter, open to the wind and elements.  Rabbits in the wild don't live out in the open; they live in protected burrows.  So this situation is not normal nor natural for him.  Many of rabbits freeze to death in the winter while in the "care" of people who are ignorant of their natural history.  :(

I hope you will be able to convince these people to give you the bunny.  But if so, be prepared to house him/her until you can get him/her spayed/neutered and only *then* do gradual introductions to your rabbit.  Rabbits are fiercely territorial, and most will fight viciously with a newcomer unless they are introduced in a neutral territory and allowed to get to know each other.  For tips on bonding, please see:

http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=bonding&sp-a=00062824-sp00000000

Hope this helps, and that you can rescue this unfortunate bunny.

Take care, and thank you for caring.

Dana