FAQs | Alabama Rabbit Rescue

Frequently Asked Questions

Owning a rabbit is a lot different than owning a cat or a dog, and it normally comes with a lot of questions. Below we have comprised a short list of our most commonly asked questions.

My rabbit is a single bunny. Why do I need to get it spayed or neutered?

For those of us who are involved in rabbit welfare, there is no choice when it comes to spaying or neutering a rabbit. It absolutely must be done. It is our policy to have this beneficial procedure performed for all of our rabbits before they are adopted and it should be yours too!

Please consider the facts below so you can make the best decisions for your bun:

Altered rabbits are healthier and live longer than unaltered rabbits.
Altered rabbits have fewer behavioral problems and make better companions when not driven by sexual hormones.
Altered rabbits have better litter-box habits and don't spray to mark their territory.
Altered rabbits can safely have a human or rabbit friend to interact with since they are less driven by hormones to reproduce.

Where can I find a safe, low cost spay or neuter for my rabbit?

We often receive calls and emails from rabbit owners asking about low cost spay/neuter programs in the area. Rabbits have very special needs when it comes to care and surgeries. Unfortunately, very few vets have the expertise required to care for your bunny. However in the Birmingham surrounding area, we have a few we can recommend here.

If you do not live in the Birmingham area, please contact us and we will try to help you find a well-trained/equipped vet near you.

Does my rabbit want a companion?

Rabbits are inquisitive, active and loving animals. They want company so that they can play, socialize, groom, and cuddle. Though some of these needs can be met by humans, having a bunny friend for company is much more fulfilling!

Once you see a bonded couple interact, you will never want your rabbit to be single again. You will probably realize that, for all the love and attention you may give your bunny, you really can’t replace the affection and companionship they could receive from another bunny friend.

If you are interested, contact us! We have staff on hand who are experts at pairing rabbits and will help you with the process!

My bunny stopped eating. What should I do?

Bunnies love to eat (and why we have to be so careful about what and how much we feed them)! So, when a bunny stops eating, it's an indication that they aren't feeling well and need immediate intervention by a vet. Rabbits who stop eating can die within the first 24 hours if not treated. If you cannot get to a vet until tomorrow, there are some basic steps that you should follow to assess their condition and stabilize them until you can take them for a check up.

Refer to our "Rabbit Emergency 101" found in our Learn section.

If you do not see your question above, please feel free to contact us!

I found a nest of wild baby bunnies. What do I do?

Our organization only rescues domestic rabbits and not wild cottontails that you often see in your yard. Unfortunately, due to Alabama wildlife laws which prohibit owning a wild rabbit, we cannot help in these situations.

The first thing to do is leave it alone. Typically, wild baby bunnies leave the nest as young as 3 weeks. So, a wild rabbit probably does not need your help. In fact, your interference will most often do more harm than good.

If you find a nest, cover it back up. The mom will come back at dawn or dusk to feed (and will be very distressed when she doesn't find her babies.) If they have left the nest and are hopping around, they are fine on their own. Therefore, watch them from a distance and leave them alone. If it's injured, please contact Alabama Outdoor for next steps.

Contact ALABAMA OUTDOOR if you found a wild baby bunny:

205-403-7394 or https://www.outdooralabama.com/node/1304

I can't keep my rabbit. How can I find it a new home?

If you are thinking of rehoming or "getting rid of" your rabbit due to behavioral issues, please contact us for suggestions and advice on how to potentially remedy problems. Keep in mind that if your rabbit isn’t fixed, this is most likely to be the root cause of many issues. For these reasons, as well as many others, we urge all rabbit owners to get their rabbits spayed or neutered. This procedure alone may fix several unwanted behaviors.

In addition to our organization, there are multiple online Facebook rabbit support groups that can help you work through most problems and situations.

If you still need to rehome your rabbit, please try to find a local shelter in your area or use PetFinder with careful screening. The last thing we want is for your rabbit to be abandoned.

If you originally adopted your rabbit from the Alabama House Rabbit Society you MUST contact us as it is not permitted for anyone to rehome any rabbit adopted from our shelter. If you adopted the rabbit from a different rabbit rescue, check with them as they might have a similar policy in place.