Adoption Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I adopt from Rabbit Advocates?

Rabbit Advocates is celebrating 20 years of rescuing rabbits and we know A LOT about bunnies! We pride ourselves on making sure our foster bunnies receive dedicated attention and plenty of space. All of our adoptable rabbits are spayed/neutered, litter trained, and have received proper veterinary care prior to adoption. When you adopt with us, you join a vibrant community of people who care. We do everything we can to help you find the right bunny or bonded pair.

Where are the bunnies and how can I meet them?

Rabbit Advocates is an all-volunteer organization and all of our bunnies live in certified foster homes in the Greater Portland Area until they adopted by approved adoption applicants. All applicants must submit an adoption application first and then complete a phone screening with a member of the Adoption Team prior to meeting adoptable rabbits. After the call with the Adoption Team, approved applications will be sent to the foster providers of the bunnies in whom the applicant has expressed an interest. Foster providers then reach out to approved adoption applicants to schedule a virtual and/or in-person meetup following current COVID-19 distancing protocols and RHDV2 biosecurity guidelines. For upcoming Adoption Outreach Events, check out our Events Calendar. Kindly note that bunnies may not be adopted directly from events.

Are indoor homes required?

Yes, our rabbits are adopted to indoor homes only. Between parasites, predators, and temperature swings, there are a lot of dangers for bunnies outdoors. Bunnies can die of fear-induced heart attacks from the sounds and smells of predators lurking, and the stress of living outdoors can also cause other issues to develop. A deadly disease carried by both wild and domestic rabbits, RHDV2, was first found in Oregon in March of 2021 which has led Rabbit Advocates and the the House Rabbit Society to recommend not allowing rabbits outdoors. Garages are not considered indoor housing unless they are temperature-controlled and have been converted into family rooms, play rooms, home offices, or studios. Bunnies must have room to run, hop, binky, and play in order to be healthy and happy, and they must have sufficient time with their human family members.

Are the rabbits spayed/neutered?

Yes, all rabbits are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Rabbit Advocates typically posts new bunnies to the website two weeks after their spay/neuter as they are fully recovered and have responded well to post-surgery litter training.

Do you adopt out baby bunnies?

Rabbit Advocates does not have baby bunnies available for adoption because they are too young to spay/neuter. If you are interested in caring for a baby bunny, please consider applying to become a foster provider with Rabbit Advocates. Many bunnies we rescue are pregnant and give birth to babies while in our care, and these babies need foster placements who can handle the joys — and the messes — associated with baby buns.

I have a single bunny. How can I take them on bunny dates? How does the bunny bonding process work?

If you already have a bunny and would like to find a friend for your bunny, it is best to adopt the second bunny from a dedicated rabbit rescue who understands the bonding process and can help with bunny matchmaking. At Rabbit Advocates, your Adoption Counselor will help guide you through the process. All bunnies must be spayed/neutered for at least one month prior to dating, and fixed male-female matches tend to have a greater likelihood of success and lower likelihood of dangerous aggression. Fill out an adoption application to start looking for a “husbun” or “bunwife” for your single bun! * Note: Both the adopter’s own bunny and the Rabbit Advocates foster bunny must be vaccinated against RHDV2 prior to dating.

Should I adopt a solo rabbit or a bonded pair?

Most rabbits like to live with another rabbit of their choosing, so if you think you might want a pair, we highly recommend you adopt an already-bonded, fixed pair from Rabbit Advocates. Although new bunny parents are sometimes intimidated by adopting two bunnies at once, there are a ton of advantages to adopting an already-bonded pair.

Rabbit Advocates almost always has bonded pairs available for adoption, often parent-child, sister-sister, and brother-sister pairs who have stuck together since one or both both bunnies were infants. Both rabbits must be fixed to consider them fully “bonded” and males often will not bond (or stay bonded) with other males. It is very common for siblings and parent-child units to go their separate ways as the youngsters mature.

What kind of housing do you recommend?

Smaller single rabbits need to have access to minimum of 16 square feet of space at all times, plus at least 3 hours per day of free-roam time indoors in a bunny-proofed space. Bonded pairs need to have access to at least 20 square feet of space at all times, plus at least 3 hours per day of free-roam time indoors in a bunny-proofed space. The larger the rabbit(s), the more space they’ll need. Most cages, crates, condos, and indoor hutches advertised for bunnies are too small. Many people use an exercise pen that is at least 4ft by 4ft and a minimum of 30 inches high. Get some inspiration for your bunny’s housing by visiting our Housing page.

Where do your bunnies come from?

Many of our bunnies were found in parks, neighborhoods, schoolyards, or shopping areas in the greater Portland, Oregon area and reported by caring community members to the Rabbit Advocates Rescue & Foster Teams. Domesticated rabbits are not safe living outdoors. Some of our bunnies were born into our care after their mothers were rescued. Abandoning pets is a crime, but a sadly common phenomenon. Other bunnies are surrendered by owners facing difficult situations. Rabbit Advocates also partners with local county shelters and other animal rescues to find safe indoor homes for as many bunnies as we can.

Will you split up adoptable bonded pairs?

No, bonded pairs must be adopted together. Bonded bunnies who have both been spayed/neutered should never be separated from their bond-mate(s) as it can cause them distress. Often, a pair or trio of bunnies who were bonded as babies to a sibling or parent while in foster care will split up as they reach adolescence or after spay/neuter. However, Rabbit Advocates does not split up pairs (or trios) who wish to stay together.

Do you have rabbits who are not featured on your site?

All rabbits currently available for adoption are featured on our site. However, Rabbit Advocates always has other rabbits in foster care awaiting their spay or neuter surgery. We often post about recently rescued rabbits on our social media pages. Check our site regularly for new bunnies!

What do you mean by “special needs”?

When rabbits require extra care for medical and/or behavioral conditions, we list them as having “special needs.” Read the rabbit’s bio to learn more about the special care they need. Sometimes rabbits will need extra care for the rest of their lives; other times, they will just need a bit more time to finish healing from a temporary condition. Examples include bunnies who are not yet litter trained, require regular medical care, and/or who need additional help with socialization. These rabbits are given a second chance when they are fostered in by our volunteers who provide them with appropriate medical care and help them develop social skills. Adopting a bunny with special needs is very rewarding. Rabbit Advocates discloses all known medical and/or behavioral issues with prospective applicants prior to adoption.

Do you adopt to children?

No, adopters must be at least 18 years of age. The primary caregiver must be a responsible adult. The rabbit(s) must be wanted by the entire household and treated as part of the family. We have a lot of fantastic young people in the Rabbit Advocates community who do a terrific job of helping care for rabbits. Adoption and Foster Applications and Contracts must be submitted by someone 18 years of age or older.

Should I foster or adopt?

Many people who are not sure if they can commit to 10+ years with a rabbit, are not 100% sure a bunny is the right pet for their household, and/or wish to care for a baby bunny might be a good fit to begin as foster providers. Although most of our foster bunnies are not yet spayed/neutered, may be messier, and will need help getting to vet visits, it is rewarding to watch the bunnies turn into happy house rabbits. Rabbit Advocates tries very hard to find the right “foster fit” when placing new foster rabbits in foster homes, but choices may be limited to the bunnies in need of urgent placements at a given time. We do not want to move foster bunnies from one foster home to another unless absolutely necessary because rescued animals need stability. Foster providers often receive first priority to apply to adopt their own foster rabbits.

If you are certain you would like to adopt a rabbit or are looking for a very specific look, breed, size, or personality, however, the adoption route may be best. Our Adoption Counselors and Foster Counselors are happy to discuss both routes with you, and help you decide which one makes the most sense for you.

Do you adopt to schools or organizations?

No, we do not adopt rabbits as classroom pets. We discourage schools, organizations, care facilities, and other groups from adopting rabbits. Bunnies benefit from stable homes and trusting relationships with known caregivers. It is not good for bunnies to be left alone overnight or over weekends, nor to go to different homes with different people and pets frequently. Most bunnies do not like to be held, and need to be handled by confident, consistent caregivers. The House Rabbit Society also discourages keeping rabbits as classroom pets.

Can you ship adoptable rabbits?

No, all rabbits must be adopted by individuals within a reasonable driving distance of Portland, roughly within ~4 hours away.

What kind of vet care is required for bunnies?

Rabbit Advocates recommends establishing care with a rabbit-savvy vet within ~3 months of adopting. This helps to ensure that you can get care in the event of an urgent medical situation. Young, healthy rabbits benefit from an annual exam and wellness check, and senior rabbits often need a checkup every 6 months. Indoor rabbits should not need regular flea/mite treatment, and many treatments that are safe for cats/dogs are toxic for rabbits. Vaccines that protect against RHDV2 are available in Oregon and Washington, and a new domestic Medgene Labs vaccine against RHDV2 should be available soon at wider scale in the United States. This article has an excellent overview on common bunny medical issues and how to interpret bunny behavior.