rabbits: bonded pairs and living situations

Question
hi there, i need your opinion on something.. My friends rabbit recently got its
hind leg amputated at the same vet where my rabbits were being boarded
while i was away for a week.. I come home from vacation to find that my
rabbit (spayed female) was placed in the other rabbits cage (neutered male)
in some mix up and they are now fully bonded. I am babysitting the couple at
my house now and am torn on what to do next. My friend is asking for his
rabbit back with no real concern for the bond whereas i feel as though these
two rabbits should stay together in either house, his or mine.

I feel as if her quality of life has soo much improved with the company on
another bunny. Before this she has a litter of babies and since their maturity
has chosen to be a recluse hiding in my closet all day only coming out at
meal times. Running away from the other rabbits. Dont get me wrong, i love
this bunny very very much and giving her up will be difficult but im trying to
do whats best for all involved.

I understand you have experience with house rabbits and bonding, what do
you think?


Answer
Hi Lauren,

I am sorry you find yourself in such a situation although there are some positives here.

First, you can't keep the other person's rabbit, unless he'd sell him to you.  If you guys are friends, maybe you can explain the whole bonding thing to him (calmly) and give him some things to read about it, and maybe he'd sell him to you, even if that means you help cover part of the costs for the hind leg operation.  As long as you were friends he could see his buddy.

If he won't sell him to you and wants him back, you need to give him back.  You can't keep another person's animal.  You could give him your gal, but I would be hesitant to do it because if he's having problems understanding the bonding issue and such, I wouldn't want to hand a rabbit of mine over to a person that I think isn't as in tune with rabbits as I am.  Or you are.  So I would advise against giving him your gal.  She is better off with you.

The good news for you, however, is that your gal is open to being friends with another bunny.  This is extremely important to know.  The thing is, if you can't keep this bunny, you have a good chance at bonding her with another bunny.  My suggestion would be to go to your local rabbit rescue group, or animal shelter that has rabbits, and have a rabbit volunteer and yourself do a few bunny dates to see if there are any good matches, and go from there.

So that's my take on it.  Feel free to write back.  Lee