Photo provided by Carlene Field
Thinking about how to help rabbits this Easter? Carlene Field, a dedicated board member of The Fur-Bearers and passionate rabbit advocate, wants you to hear directly from someone who’s made a difference — a rabbit foster parent. Here’s their experience.
Q Thank you for taking time to share your experiences with us, Carlene. What inspired you to become a foster home for a rescued rabbit, and how did you get started?
A I started fostering in my 20s when I wasn’t quite ready for the multi-year commitment of adopting, but I loved animals and knew that I could still provide someone a safe, temporary home. Fostering turned out to be the perfect fit. I could foster for weeks or months at a time, and I could also take breaks. Rabbits ended up being a great fit for me too. They’re most active in the morning and in the evening, when I’m often around. They nap a lot of the day and use a litterbox, so they’re a lot easier than a dog to leave at home for an 8-hour workday. I quickly fell in love with sharing my home with rabbits, and learned a lot from spending time with rabbits will all different personalities.
Q What kind of care and setup does a foster rabbit need on a day-to-day basis?
A Rabbits need at least a few square meters, and more space is always better. As a fosterer, you’ll probably be given a pet playpen, which you’ll set up as their space with their litterbox, den, water dish, food and toys. When getting a new rabbit, I’ve cut a tarp as a footprint, which I cover with a bedsheet under the whole pen in case they aren’t litterbox trained yet. Most rabbits will learn to use their litterbox on their own within a week or two. Whenever I’m home, their pen is always open so they can come and go freely, which helps them build confidence and feel safe.
My foster rabbit right now is completely free roam and we no longer need a pen in our home. Lots of rabbits get up to mischief though. They’ll nibble on anything and find ways to squeeze behind or under any piece of furniture. It’s in their nature to chew and find cozy nooks, but you can do simple things, like tuck cords away and block underneath your sofa, to help rabbit-proof the rooms they’ll be in. It also helps if you provide them lots of other enrichment as they’ll be more mischievous when they’re bored.
Aside from that, rabbits always need a safe den to hide in. A cardboard box will do. A heavy or flat bottom water dish they won’t tip over. Puzzle toys made for dogs are great, as are enrichment balls that they roll around to get treats out of. Willow and apple branches are perfect for chewing on. They also need an endless supply of hay and a variety of fresh vegetables every day.
Photo provided by Carlene Field
Q As many readers may have experience with different companions, can you share how rabbits differ from other pets?
A If you grew up with dogs and cats, rabbits are quite different. They are prey animals, so they’re skittish by nature. Most rabbits will eventually lounge with you and enjoy being petted, but some will never be cuddly and most don’t like being picked up. Quality time is often watching tv on the couch or reading a book on the floor together, just enjoying each other’s company.
Rabbits may not make a good pet for kids because they require a lot of understanding and patience. Everything needs to be on the rabbit’s terms, and kids will often want a lot more immediate and obvious reward playing with an animal. This isn’t to say that they can’t still be a good fit for a family, as long as it’s well understood that a rabbit is a long-term commitment and all the unique behaviours that come with a rabbit.
Photo provided by Carlene Field
Q How did you support the rabbit’s emotional well-being, especially if they came from a difficult background?
A Some rabbits will be bold and outgoing right away, but it’s quite common for rabbits to be scared and under socialized. I’ve fostered rabbits that were so terrified they hardly came out of their den for weeks. I have quite a soft spot for these rabbits because, as a foster parent, you’ll see them completely transform and blossom.
Most rabbits just need time in a quiet, calm environment where they can get used to you and gain confidence. I’ll lay on the floor if I’m reading or working on my laptop. They’re in the room when I’m watching TV. I hand feed them treats and veggies. Over time they’ll come lay next to you, hop onto the couch, and explore further and further out of their comfort zone. It’s a joy watching them be brave and curious.
Photo provided by Carlene Field
Q What have been the most rewarding—and the most challenging—parts of fostering a rabbit?
A The most rewarding part of fostering has been the special ways that a rabbit tells you you’re doing a good job. Many times I’ve thought that a rabbit was settled in, and they’ll surprise me by doing something else new for the first time. They will flop down next to me for the first time, which they only do when they’re truly relaxed (look up rabbit flop, it’s very cute!) When rabbits are happy, they’ll get the zoomies and binkies (look up binkies while you’re at it too!) If you’re really lucky, you may even get bunny kisses. Rabbits bond by grooming each other, so if they groom you it’s a high compliment. It’s the most rewarding thing when a once-timid rabbit shows you that they trust you and are happy.
I personally find the more challenging rabbits are the ones that are hyper and bold. They need to be monitored a lot more closely because they’re always getting up to something. If they’re curious and outgoing, they need a ton of space and enrichment to keep them happy. It’s an entirely different experience, but they are absolutely hilarious and so much fun.
Photo provided by Carlene Field
Q What would you tell someone who’s thinking about fostering a rabbit but isn’t sure if they’re ready?
A
Fostering rabbits is a wonderful thing to do. Sadly, there are a lot of abandoned and dumped rabbits, so it helps free up critical space in rescues that are completely overloaded. Having a rabbit in your home also helps them become more adoptable, as they get used to living in a home and being around people. It also helps set them up for a better chance of a successful adoption because you’ll know the individual’s personality and needs and can help ensure a potential adopter is a good match.
Do you have a quiet home, a bit of space, and patience? Go for it! Each one of them is so different, with their own huge personality, and you’ll learn so much about their unique behaviours. I love that their affection is sometimes hard earned. Sharing your home with a rabbit is truly special—they’ve brought so much joy, laughter and love into my life, and I’m sure they would do the same for you.
Photo provided by Carlene Field
Learn more:
- Vancouver Rabbit Rescue & Advocacy
- BC SPCA: Become a Foster Guardian
- Toronto Humane Society: Foster Program
- Montreal SPCA: Temporary Foster Program
- Calgary Humane Society: Foster a Pet
- Winnipeg Humane Society: Foster Program
- Humane Canada: Struggling shelters in the throes of a ‘perfect storm’
- Amy’s Bunny Barn
