First Steps:
The very best way to find a friend for your rabbit is to let your rabbit choose. Many people come to HRS when looking for a second rabbit because of several advantages we offer. First and foremost, adopting a rabbit from HRS allows us to rescue another rabbit waiting at a local shelter and thus saves a life. All our foster rabbits are already spayed and neutered, which makes it possible for your rabbit interact with a number of potential partners. If your rabbit is not already fixed, we advise you to have this procedure completed at least two weeks before meeting with other rabbits. This is crucial, not only for reproductive health reasons, but because intact rabbits can be very territorial and are far less likely to accept a new bunny friend.
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Speed Dating:
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You will bring your rabbit to an Adoption Event, where all our foster rabbits have been gathered to meet with approved applicants. Your rabbit is then introduced to a series of prospective partners, one at a time, in neutral territory. Our Bonding Coordinators observe and supervise the rabbits' interactions, making sure to separate them if needed. The Coordinator will talk you through the various signals they're watching for from the rabbits and what they mean.
It's interesting to see the very different reactions your rabbit might display to each potential candidate. He may ignore bachelorette #1, chase bachelorette #2, but let bachelorette #3 mount him. Opposite sexes usually work best, but same sex matches are not ruled out. After these initial introductions, the Coordinator then give their opinion on how the candidates rank and who they think will be the best and easiest match. Sometimes there is only one likely candidate; sometimes there are several. That is determined solely by your rabbit.
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The Bunnymoon:
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Once you and your rabbit have agreed upon a suitor, a date is scheduled for the actual bonding. Although an experienced rabbit person may choose to handle this part themselves, we find that most people are relieved to have one of our Bonding Coordinators do it for them as a part of our In-House Bonding service. The Bonding Coordinator takes the rabbits and conducts supervised dating sessions in neutral territory until they feel the bond has solidified. The length of a bunnymoon can vary, and the Coordinator keeps you updated during the process. After the newlyweds return home, it's generally advised to keep them in a neutral area for another week to acclimate.
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Because In-House Bonding services often have a waitlist, some adopters opt for our DIY Bonding supportive services. You take your rabbits home and house them in separate enclosures side-by-side so they get acclimated to each other. You conduct supervised dating sessions at your own pace and under the guidance of one of our Bonding Coaches. You will be provided with enough resources to be comfortable with the process. This is also a temporary option for those on the waitlist.