Long Road Trip With Rabbits | Need Advice!!

[Haybun]

Hello!

So next month my boyfriend and I will be traveling from San Diego to Monterey for a road trip and a 6 day stay. I have two Holland lops that id love to bring along, but I know there’s risks in this being I’ve never done this before. This will be about a 7-9 hour drive roughly there and back.

I don’t have anyone who can properly take care of them while I’m away and the only other option is to board them. I don’t wish to do this since they’re rescues & have just become comfortable in my home and with me. I would hate for them to be put into a facility because all I can think of is, “what if they catch something? What if they think they’re back up for adoption?, etc etc” you get the point; I’m paranoid!!

I’ve purchased them a carrier that they can both lay in together and also stretch out, travel bowls & litter boxes, all the essentials basically. We’re taking two cars there. I’m driving a car with AC and a stereo; I’ll be playing audiobooks/calm low volume music for them and myself.

I’ve also debated taking them in the car for short drives before our road trip so they can begin to get use to being in a car. Do you think this would help?

Overall, does anyone have any experience with this or tips that will help keep them safe and calm? I’m a very protective mom so I want to do whatever I can to make this comfortable for them. Thank you so much!

 

[Blue eyes]

Taking them on short trips beforehand is a good idea. Here is a great resource on traveling with rabbits.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Transport/Car/Car.htm

Also consider how you'll set things up at your destination. Once we stayed awhile at a hotel and setup bunnies in this way (using mats and bowls from their home cage so they would be familiar).


And this is what we did at a cabin. Started out setting up like this:


Then I switched it to make it larger...

 

[Haybun]

Taking them on short trips beforehand is a good idea. Here is a great resource on traveling with rabbits.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Transport/Car/Car.htm

Also consider how you'll set things up at your destination. Once we stayed awhile at a hotel and setup bunnies in this way (using mats and bowls from their home cage so they would be familiar).
View attachment 41977

And this is what we did at a cabin. Started out setting up like this:
View attachment 41974

Then I switched it to make it larger...
View attachment 41975

Thank you! I’m very nervous to take them out and about so I appreciate the response. Bringing their at home play pen stuff is great idea! Definitely going to do this for them.

 

[user 25471]

Before taking my buns in the carrier , i put it out a few days ahead (open) so they get comfortable and familiar with hanging out in the carrier itself too . They will likely go in and out if it and lay down in it since they are so curious . I bring have some watery treats for the car ( like some watermelon) since mine didn’t seem to want to use the “travel bottle” and you want to make sure they have some fluids . Also pack things in such a way nothing will shift and fall and bang against their carrier and scare them .