Adoption Guidelines for Triangle Rabbits
Thank you for considering adoption!
These guidelines are for animals available for adoption through Triangle Rabbits. We follow general House Rabbit Society policies for adoption and promote indoor homes, a healthy diet, daily exercise, roomy enclosures, and regular medical care. Triangle Rabbits is made up of a network of foster homes, so meet and greets are by appointment.
These guidelines are for animals available for adoption through Triangle Rabbits. We follow general House Rabbit Society policies for adoption and promote indoor homes, a healthy diet, daily exercise, roomy enclosures, and regular medical care. Triangle Rabbits is made up of a network of foster homes, so meet and greets are by appointment.
The primary caregiver must be an adult. The rabbit should be wanted by the entire family. Like a dog or a cat, caring for a rabbit is quite a responsibility, and while a child can certainly help with this, an adult should assume ultimate responsibility for their care. Interest forms should be completed by the primary caregiver.
Roomy living space is essential to a happy house rabbit. An indoor enclosure at least eight square feet is required to house the bunny which can be an exercise pen, an extra large dog crate or a spare bedroom. The space should contain the rabbit’s litterbox, food and water bowls and an assortment of toys (boxes, baskets, etc.) for them to play with. The rabbit should be out of his or her house at least 2-3 hours per day for quality time with the family in a bunny-proofed area.
All of Triangle Rabbits’ rabbits are spayed or neutered. Exceptions may apply to special needs rabbits. All rabbits seeking the companionship of a rabbit friend are required to have been altered at least one month prior to the introduction process.
Other rabbits in the home should also be spayed or neutered. If resident rabbis are not altered, we would be happy to provide a list of local veterinarians that work with rabbits. Exceptions for special needs rabbits are considered on a case by case basis.
No rabbit can be adopted into a home with snakes or ferrets. Homes with dogs, cats, and other pets are considered on a case by case basis. Gentle dogs and cats usually do well with rabbits following a gradual introduction.
We do not place animals as surprise gifts or classroom pets.
Rabbits require regular veterinary care by a rabbit-experienced veterinarian. In the event of rabbit illness, the adopter must be prepared to handle the financial responsibility. Often rabbit health problems require an exotics specialist vet and this can cost more than for a dog or a cat.
Adopters should provide a nutritious diet. Good health requires a diet of fresh water, limited, high-quality timothy pellets (no seeds or nuts), unlimited grass hay, and a daily salad consisting of mixed fresh greens.
A rabbit is a lifetime commitment. House rabbits live an average of 8 – 10 years and adoption is a commitment. Please consider carefully – “Will you be willing to take your rabbit with you when you move? Break up, if in a relationship currently? Lose your job, or take a new one?”.
If an adopter needs to return one of our rabbits, we ask that you give advance notice. We do need time to make preparations for a foster space for the returning rabbit.
Triangle Rabbits will exchange a previously adopted bunny if 1) The adoption team and adopter are working together on making a match between an adoptee and a pre-residing rabbit and in the adoption team’s judgment a different match would be less stressful to the animals, OR 2) If the adopted rabbit does not adjust well to his or her new home environment and a judgment is made by the adoption team that it is in the bunny's best interest to be returned to foster care.
Triangle Rabbits adoption fees are donations that cannot be refunded. We are a federally recognized tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.
Triangle Rabbits reserves the right to refuse any adoption for any reason. We do our best to match our foster rabbits with loving homes that align with our adoption policies and that meet each individual rabbit's needs.
Roomy living space is essential to a happy house rabbit. An indoor enclosure at least eight square feet is required to house the bunny which can be an exercise pen, an extra large dog crate or a spare bedroom. The space should contain the rabbit’s litterbox, food and water bowls and an assortment of toys (boxes, baskets, etc.) for them to play with. The rabbit should be out of his or her house at least 2-3 hours per day for quality time with the family in a bunny-proofed area.
All of Triangle Rabbits’ rabbits are spayed or neutered. Exceptions may apply to special needs rabbits. All rabbits seeking the companionship of a rabbit friend are required to have been altered at least one month prior to the introduction process.
Other rabbits in the home should also be spayed or neutered. If resident rabbis are not altered, we would be happy to provide a list of local veterinarians that work with rabbits. Exceptions for special needs rabbits are considered on a case by case basis.
No rabbit can be adopted into a home with snakes or ferrets. Homes with dogs, cats, and other pets are considered on a case by case basis. Gentle dogs and cats usually do well with rabbits following a gradual introduction.
We do not place animals as surprise gifts or classroom pets.
Rabbits require regular veterinary care by a rabbit-experienced veterinarian. In the event of rabbit illness, the adopter must be prepared to handle the financial responsibility. Often rabbit health problems require an exotics specialist vet and this can cost more than for a dog or a cat.
Adopters should provide a nutritious diet. Good health requires a diet of fresh water, limited, high-quality timothy pellets (no seeds or nuts), unlimited grass hay, and a daily salad consisting of mixed fresh greens.
A rabbit is a lifetime commitment. House rabbits live an average of 8 – 10 years and adoption is a commitment. Please consider carefully – “Will you be willing to take your rabbit with you when you move? Break up, if in a relationship currently? Lose your job, or take a new one?”.
If an adopter needs to return one of our rabbits, we ask that you give advance notice. We do need time to make preparations for a foster space for the returning rabbit.
Triangle Rabbits will exchange a previously adopted bunny if 1) The adoption team and adopter are working together on making a match between an adoptee and a pre-residing rabbit and in the adoption team’s judgment a different match would be less stressful to the animals, OR 2) If the adopted rabbit does not adjust well to his or her new home environment and a judgment is made by the adoption team that it is in the bunny's best interest to be returned to foster care.
Triangle Rabbits adoption fees are donations that cannot be refunded. We are a federally recognized tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.
Triangle Rabbits reserves the right to refuse any adoption for any reason. We do our best to match our foster rabbits with loving homes that align with our adoption policies and that meet each individual rabbit's needs.
Adoption Process for Triangle Rabbits
Our virtual adoption process:
Please contact us at adopt@trianglerabbits.org with questions.
- Fill out an adoption application and return it. The form is sent to our adoption team and any additional questions are gathered together. Prospective adopters are asked to answer any questions via telephone or email. Please keep in mind that we may receive more than one interest form for a particular animal, and sending a form does not guarantee an adoption.
- Schedule an adoption call. Meetings take place over Zoom. At the meeting we chat about your home and the personality traits that are important to you in a new friend, general rabbit care, answer any questions, and address any concerns from either the potential adopter or the adoption team. We will do our best to match rabbits in our adoption program with potential adoptive homes based on our adoption call conversation.
- Send photos of the space where the rabbit(s) will live and the space where they will be allowed to have daily exercise. Please plan to include any special rabbit proofing, gates that prevent entry by other pets, etc. A video call can be scheduled in lieu of photos.
- Schedule a follow-up call to meet foster bunnies. Foster homes will be on the call to answer questions about the bunnies.
- Review and sign the adoption contract and pay the adoption fee. At the close of the meet and greet process, arrangements will be made to transfer the rabbit(s) to their new home. All rabbits are spayed or neutered and checked by an exotics veterinarian. Adopters will receive handouts by email with contact information and rabbit care information.
- Triangle Rabbits has moved to a trial adoption procedure. Families will have two (2) weeks for the rabbit(s) to get to know them, and to get to know their new friend. If during this time a family finds that the adoption is not a good match, the rabbit(s) may be returned to foster care with Triangle Rabbits and the adoption fee will be refunded, less any payment processing fees. During the trial adoption period, Triangle Rabbits will schedule follow up meetings with the adopting family to answer any additional questions and provide support to new adopters.
- Send cute pics! Keep us posted with adorable update photos of your bunny in their new home!
Please contact us at adopt@trianglerabbits.org with questions.
Triangle Rabbits is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving North Carolina, U.S.A.