ADOPTING A RABBIT
Increasingly popular companions in Quebec, rabbits are cute, quiet, sweet, playful, and can be affectionate and house-trained. They are great animals for people living in apartments.
However, rabbits are frequently abandoned because many people adopt them without being informed of their needs. Like any other animal companion, a rabbit whose needs go unmet is likely to develop undesirable behaviour.
DID YOU KNOW? RABBITS…
- are gregarious animals with a highly developed social language and need to be with another rabbit to express their natural behaviours.
- have an average life expectancy of 8 to 12 years.
- need a lot of space to hop and exercise. They can live loose in the house or in a large pen.
- should be fed hay (those with allergies should abstain!), grain-based rabbit feed and green vegetables every day. Since very sweet, carrots should be only occasional treats!
- like to chew, dig and search. It is important to provide them with stimulating toys and activities.
- are fragile and so handling should be kept to a minimum and interactions, on the ground.
- must be sterilized, just like cats and dogs, in some municipalities, including Montréal.
- need veterinary care, just like any other companion animal, but not all clinics offer this service, which can be expensive.
- cost about $1,000 a year when healthy.
Ready to welcome a pair of rabbits into your home? Visit our webpage showing the rabbits we have available for adoption here.
