Is a bunny the right fit for your family?

And Why So Many End Up in Shelters

Rabbits are adorable, expressive, and surprisingly intelligent animals—but that doesn’t always mean they’re the right fit for every home. Every year, thousands of rabbits are surrendered to shelters or abandoned outdoors (where they cannot survive as pets). Many families adopt a rabbit with the best intentions, only to discover they weren’t prepared for the level of care and responsibility these gentle animals require.

If you’re thinking about adding a rabbit to your family, here’s what you need to know—and what contributes to so many rabbits needing new homes. And remember, we will always take one of our home grown babies that we produced back. 

1. Understanding a Rabbit’s Personality

Rabbits are not low-maintenance “starter pets.” They each have unique personalities—some are cuddly, some are shy, and some are full of attitude.

A rabbit may be the right fit for your family if:

• You enjoy calm, quiet pets rather than loud, high-energy animals.

• You want a companion who interacts on their terms.

• You appreciate animals that communicate through subtle body language.

A rabbit may not be the right fit if:

• You want a pet who loves to be held or carried (most rabbits dislike this, but if handled from the beginning -- you can get your bunny to tolerate being held).

• You want a pet for small children to play with. Rabbits are fragile!

• Your home is loud, chaotic, or full of sudden movements, which could be stressful to a rabbit. 

  
  

2. Housing and Space Requirements

Despite their size, rabbits need a significant amount of space. A small cage is not enough—they need room to hop, explore, binky, and stretch fully.

A rabbit fits well in your home if:

• You can provide a large exercise pen or a bunny-proofed room.

• There’s time and space for several hours of supervised free-roam daily.

• You can protect wires, furniture legs, baseboards, and plants.

They may not be a good fit if:

• You have limited space.

• You can’t secure dangerous chewable items.

• Enclosures would have to remain small due to your living situation.

  
  

3. Time and Daily Care

Rabbits require consistent daily care, including:

• Litter box cleaning

• Fresh hay (their main diet!)

• Daily play and attention

• Grooming

• Regular nail trims

• Monitoring for signs of illness (rabbits hide symptoms)

A rabbit is a good match if your family is home often and you enjoy a steady routine. Families with busy travel schedules or long work hours may struggle to provide the consistency rabbits rely on. Rabbits enjoy consistent routine or schedules and seeing people daily. 

4. Lifespan and Financial Commitment

Rabbits can live on average 8–12 years, meaning they’re a long-term commitment. They also require specialized exotic veterinarians which can be harder to locate and more expensive.

Ongoing costs include:

• Hay, pellets, and fresh greens

• Litter

• Toys and chew items

• Annual vet exams

• Emergency care (which can be expensive)

  
  

5. Why So Many Rabbits End Up in Shelters

Rabbits require the same level of commitment as a cat or dog. Many end up in shelters for a few major reasons:

1. Misconceptions

Many people assume rabbits are easy pets like hamsters or guinea pigs. When they discover the care level required, they feel overwhelmed.

2. Impulse Easter Purchases

Each year, rabbits are bought as holiday gifts for children who are not prepared for the responsibility. Many of these rabbits end up abandoned within months.

3. Lack of Understanding of their Behavior

Rabbits chew, dig, and can be territorial. Those who don’t research rabbit behavior often mistake normal actions as “bad behavior.”

4. Housing and Lifestyle Changes

Moves, landlords who don’t allow pets, new babies, or incompatible other pets can lead to surrender. If you rent, make sure your landlord is okay with a rabbit beforehand. They're also territorial in nature to other rabbits, so getting more than 1 is a huge time commitment to try to bond them, and it may not even work out in the long run. 

5. Medical Costs

Rabbit healthcare can be expensive, and untreated issues can become emergencies quickly.  Rabbits have sensitive guts and are prone to GI-Stasis, which is a medical emergency if they stop eating. You must be prepared and know the signs, or it could be fatal. They also could get things like pasteurella or snuffles. It's important to know of a rabbit-savvy vet during these times. 

6. Signs a Rabbit Is Right for Your Family

You might be ready to welcome a rabbit if your family:

• Has calm, gentle children or adults who respect boundaries.

• Understands that rabbits don’t like to be picked up.

• Is prepared for long-term, daily care.

• Has enough space for safe, enriching play.

• Wants a quiet, sensitive, affectionate companion.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Rabbits are wonderful pets—affectionate, silly, and full of personality—but they thrive in families who are truly prepared for their needs. Before adopting, research their care thoroughly. Rabbits are full of different personalities too. If you decide to buy from a breeder, or adopt from a rescue, try to find one that will fit your scenario. If you have older kids, you may want a more playful bunny. Whereas an older adult may want a more relaxed bunny. 

By choosing thoughtfully, you not only ensure a good fit for your family, but you also help reduce the number of rabbits who end up in shelters looking for a second chance.

From the time our babies are born, they become part of our family until they find a new home. While we strive to find the perfect fit bunny for your family, we understand situations do change. We will always be willing to take our bunnies back if the situation is warranted. The last thing we want is for one of our rabbits to end up in a shelter. So please make sure a rabbit is the right fit for your home.