Need Support

[sajohnson1280]

Hello,

I just joined today and the reason I joined is because I need some support from people who actually own bunnies.

Here's the story. In october of last year I purchased Fluffenstein, a mini lop, I fell in love with her personality immediately and wanted to get another bunny. In February I purchased Pepper, a rex mix. I went to the vet and was told they were both girls. Well SUPRISE I actually had a boy and a girl and Fluffenstein gave birth to a litter of 7, 4 made it.

Since the birth of the babies, Peper and Fluffenstein have been seperated. I cannot afford to get Peper fixed. I love him dearly but (as weird as this may sound) we havent formed a connection...He is VERY skiddish and always hides, he is scared of everything and I have tried and tried but cannot get him to trust me or anyone or anything.

I think I am going to have to surrender him :,(. I love him but I feel that someone else may be able to give him a better home and be able to deal with his temperment better..

I am going to keep a female baby so Fluffenstein has a companion still..

I just feel horrible giving Peper up :,(

What are your opinions on the situation? Any advice on what to do? How to make this easier?

(please do not post "you should have had them fixed etc," I am aware of this fact and I am coming for support, trust me when I tell you I feel bad enough already)

 

[Whiskerz]

Welcome!

Hmm, so about your situation...
Dont worry about people putting you down on here, they are not like that. This is a friendly forum and we are hear to support and help I am almost certain you will get only helpful comments.

So, Bunnies can be hard to sex, but for a vet to mess up..that's a bit rare. Did the vet specialize in bunnies? If not, that could be why the vet sexed one wrong.

But I am happy to hear that at least 4 babies made it. That is good :biggrin:

As for your male bunny, If you do not feel a connection and you feel that you are not providing him with the love he needs, then I think it would be best to give him to a home that CAN give him the love he needs and wants. He may not be getting a connection with you, just like you are not getting a connection with him, thus why he is acting the way he does around you. And again, if he goes to a home that can afford him to be neutered, that will change how he acts and make him a even better and friendly member of there family! Neutering can be expensive. And some people cant afford it, since you thought you had 2 female bunnies, I understand why you were not exactly intending on fixing one or both. But sometimes things happen, like your bunny being a male.

IN MY OPINION I think it would be best for you to rehome your male bunny. It would be best for both of you. It would take the stress off you about neutering, not having enough money, needing to separate,ect. And for him, he would have a family he would feel closer and more comftorable with, and one that will hopfully get him neutered.

When and if you do rehome him to somone else, you can be picky. Make sure he goes to the home YOU feel would be BEST for HIM.


I hope this helps, if you have any other questions. Just ask :wave:

 

[kirbyultra]

Hi sajohnson. Welcome to the forum. I moved your thread to the Nutrition and Behavior forum because I think it would get more readers and replies there than in the Intro forum.

 

[kirbyultra]

Whiskerz wrote:

Dont worry about people putting you down on here, they are not like that. This is a friendly thread and we are hear to support and help I am almost certain you will get only helpful comments.

:clapping::thumbup Thanks Whiskerz! I am sure the forum members won't disappoint to be respectful and helpful to our new member

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I have a rabbit in my home that isn't crazy about me, but loves her boy bun. So I spayed her, and they couldn't be happier together. I love her from a distance, and every now and then she shows up to see me.

If you neuter Peper, that would allow him to potentially fulfill that role in your girl's life. Did they get along prior to pregnancy?

I think that if you plan to surrender to a rescue, you should bring a significant financial donation, plus Peper's cage. Rescues are often barely hanging on by the skin of their teeth, and volunteers often contribute out of their own pockets to fund abandoned animal care. It will likely take a long time to place him with someone suitable, as he doesn't currently have the social skills to make him a stand-out adoptee. A life in a small cage while he waits for a home may prove even more detrimental to his self-confidence & security, potentially reducing his sociability even further.

(From my standpoint, a more appropriate approach would be for you to rehome him yourself with an experienced rabbit person, as this is not an emergency situation . You can give him plenty of space and time. And, as Whiskerz said, you get to screen potential adopters to find the best match)

However, I do hope that you are willing to work with him further to overcome his fears. There are a lot of great resources here in the RO library. Here is a particularly good thread that will help your situation -> Bonding With Your Bunny

Also, a nearby House Rabbit Society may have volunteers willing to help you socialize Peper. Heck, maybe some members here could come by and give you a hand!

Overall, I hope you give this situation some more time as you expand your bunny knowledge. I've had my cranky girl for over a year and a half, and she is just warming up now. It does happen... just takes time, new methods (& treats)

 

[sajohnson1280]

Well Peper seems to enjoy Fluffenstein (though I think that is because he wants thump thump time lol), But Fluffenstein really doesnt care if he is around or not. Actually..she is usually running away from him and not wanting to be humped lol so I know she really wont care.

 

[Nela]

It is my opinion that it might be worth trying to develop a better connection with your boy. You'll find that many people here have experience with 'distant' rabbits and they'd have a lot of tips and advice for you if you were interested. Also, the fact that he isn't neutered probably encourages the extra humping which may be annoying to your female which is why she runs from him more than anything.

If you absolutely cannot neuter and do not want to work at bonding with him yourself or cannot keep him for any other reason, then I hope your boy finds a good home. You can rehome him yourself and really weed out the bad homes from the best as well if you take your time. You could ask for help from a shelter as well if you think it is really necessary but I think you should do okay.

I would advise you not to get another rabbit right now. I'm sorry but in my opinion, if money is already an issue (you mentionned about not being able to neuter) then money will remain an issue. Females should definitely be spayed because without it, they have a really good chance of getting uterine cancer. Not only that, but it may be quite difficult to bond unspayed females. Also, what should happen if one or the other require immediate vet care? I think you should save the money for now and put it into a 'vet fund' for your current girl and when you have enough, you can have her spayed. After that, you should try and set up a fund for vet care and then, if you have money, then maybe you can get another bunny if you can afford to spay or neuter.

 

[sajohnson1280]

I just wanted to let everyone know, that as hard as it was, I made the decision to give up Peper . I took him (and the babies I had)to the local Humane Society. I hope he finds a better home than I could give him :cry1: