Adopting an Older Rabbit

[cirrustwi]

Well, I've been thinking about those poor bunsat the W. PA Humane Society since it was posted that they are overrun. I've been debating and debating. I've lookedat the site tons of times. I thought about adopting a coupleof different buns, but then I noticed Thumper. It says she'sa spayed 7 year old New Zealand White who was brought in with ear mitesand very long nails.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is how good are shelters at determiningage? And if I adopt her is there anything I need to knowabout older buns? My oldest is about 2 1/2, so I don'tknow.

She tugs at my heart, I know I probably wouldn't have her for a long time, but I hope she could be happy in her twilight years.

Jen

 

[Blackthorn45]

cirrustwi wrote:

Well, I've been thinking about those poor buns at the W. PAHumane Society since it was posted that they are over run.I've been debating and debating. I've looked at the site tonsof times. I thought about adopting a couple of differentbuns, but then I noticed Thumper. It says she's a spayed 7year old New Zealand White who was brought in with ear mites and verylong nails.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is how good are shelters at determiningage? And if I adopt her is there anything I need to knowabout older buns? My oldest is about 2 1/2, so I don'tknow.

She tugs at my heart, I know I probably wouldn't have her for a long time, but I hope she could be happy in her twilight years.

Jen

Aww, bless you for considering giving her a chance. Sheltersaren't typically very good at determining rabbit age (not their fault,just not their areas of expertise).Usually they canonly tell young and old. However if she came from somewherewhere they knew her age, then it's probably correct. It neverhurts to ask how they know she is seven. The previous ownermay have had her that long, who knows?

Pretty much the things to watch with older rabbits are keeping acareful eye on her teeth, getting the molars checked from time to timefor spurs, and watching her weight. Older rabbits either tendto lose weight and may needmore pellets to keep it on, orthey tend to pack it on like there's no tomorrow and need a morerestricted diet. Since she's spayed, at least you don't haveto worry about uterine cancer, and she could well live to be 10 or 12with some TLC. If she hasn't been cared for properly up tothis point, she may have some strikes against her, but most olderrabbits do respond to quality care.

Thank you for considering the poor girl. Maybe go and meet her, talk to the shelter staff, and take it from there?

 

[cirrustwi]

I'm going to meet her tomorrow. Sowe'll see. I'm thinking that she wasn't cared for very wellbefore because of the terrible ear mites and the long nails, but theyalso said she is incredibly loving.

Jen

 

[PepperGrl]

Good luck with that Jen. I always feelbad for the older ones too... I get worried that no one will give thema chance. It's so great to hear you are looking into adoptingher. Please post lots of pictures if you do!

~ Jamie

 

[Blackthorn45]

I once took home an 11 yr old Nethie that wasgoing to be euthanized because his owners moved.. He was pretty healthyfor his age, but he only lived about 3 more weeks... but at least hewas happy and loved, and he died in peace.

There's something so absolutely priceless about older animals, and sopainful about seeing them cast aside. They really grab myheart.

 

[cirrustwi]

This is her. She looks so sweet.

Jen

 

[PepperGrl]

Ohhhh... how adorable. I'm sure shewould love to have a home with you. Just look at that facingsaying "take me home"

Let us know how it goes.

~ Jamie

 

[pamnock]

I hope it works out. You'll enjoy thebenefits of adopting an older rabbit because you get to skip over thosenightmare "teen" years!

One concern is that older rabbits may not metabolize their feed as wellas younger bunns. Nutri Cal can be a very helpful dietsupplement.

Pam

 

[CorkysMom]

The teenage years comment is very true!! Oreo isabout 2 and she's been great...real even temepred...haven't seen any ofthat "bratiness"

 

[Pepper]

cirrustwi wrote:

This is her. She looks so sweet.

Jen

Your right she does look so sweet.

 

[bunnydude]

You are doing a good thing:angel:. All too many people would just pass over an older rabbit.

 

AWWWWWWWWW Jen :a New Zeland Lady howsweet , them Nz alwaystugg at my heart strings , Ihave been in love with them for years, Thats one reason I decidedto take the PoorStandoffish Penelope , she was supposed torehomed but I just couldnt doit , I fell deeeply in lovewith her and even thoshe is still a bit standoffishshe will at least let me pet herand hold her calmly to trimher nails , Theres justsomething about those big lugga bunsthat rips right into you .. Ido so hope you can get her ,One can tell just from thepicture she has a lot of love left to pass around .

 

[naturestee]

Jen, it looks like she's commanding you to take her home. Now that's a LADY!

 

[cirrustwi]

I'm totally in love with her and I haven't evenseen her, she could be a total brat. LOL Now, Ijust have to convince Shawn...hmmm....not sure how I'm going to do thatone.

Jen

 

[CorkysMom]

Ya don't convince him...just tell him.. Or there's always the guilt trip, that if you don't takeher she'll most likely be one of the first put to death due to herage....

 

[LuvaBun]

Jen, bless you for thinking of taking Thumper -her remaining time, no matter how long, will be wonderful spent withyou. Good luck when you meet her. - Jan

 

[cirrustwi]

PuterGeekGirl wrote:

Or there's always the guilt trip, that if you don't take hershe'll most likely be one of the first put to death due to her age....

That's the way I'm thinking of going and telling him that she may notbe around very long anyway because she's older. He doesn'tknow how long rabbits can live....Maybe I'll throw in sometears that aways works with him. He's a big softie.

Jen

 

[CorkysMom]

cirrustwi wrote:

PuterGeekGirl wrote:

Orthere's always the guilt trip, that if you don't take her she'll mostlikely be one of the first put to death due to her age....

That's the way I'm thinking of going and telling him that she may notbe around very long anyway because she's older. He doesn'tknow how long rabbits can live....Maybe I'll throw in sometears that aways works with him. He's a big softie.

Jen

GO GIRL!!!! :ele: I was told we didn't needanymore bunnies too...but guess who's going to pick out a Flemish babythis weekend...

 

[Kricket]

Hey Jen, I think they are good at agingrabbits. The vets there could most likely come very close totheir age. I am SO excited for you!! You work thatman of your over and let us know you can do it!!

 

[TinysMom]

I'm so jealous of this wonderful opportunitythat you have. We honestly have no shelters that I can findwithin 150 miles - why I even wanted to adopt 2 Flemish from Louisianaand couldn't get the rescue people to respond to me....

I'm so happy that you want to adopt her - she looks soprecious. I think she'd be lots of fun - she just has thatcertain look about her that says so....

Peg