Rabbit Rehoming Season

Something that shouldn't exist, and shouldn't be a trend, but here we are.

Every year, I brace myself for this, but this year, it feels like it started early. Easter hasn’t even happened yet, and my Kijiji and Facebook feeds are already filling up with rabbit listings.

• “Free to good home.”

• “Can’t keep anymore.”

• “Looking to rehome ASAP.”

• "Moving and can't take with me."

• "Adorable rabbits in time for Easter!"

  
  

I’ll be adding screenshots here because, honestly, you have to see it to believe how many there are. All of these screenshots were only taken from page ONE of many this morning.

This Isn’t Hypothetical for Me

I’m not just watching this happen online. I’m living the result of it every day.

Brian and I have eight rabbits. Five of them came from the return bin: rehomes, giveaways, situations where someone just… couldn’t or wouldn’t keep them.

Once, I went to pick up free rabbit supplies and somehow came home with an entire rabbit (if you know me, this isn't actually that surprising). We call her Dandelion. I was told she was spayed. She wasn’t. She had babies.

Two others of ours came from a litter of 6 that we fostered after their mom died. The person who bred them had no backup plan and no real interest in stepping in when things went wrong. We bottle-fed those babies ourselves from 2 weeks of age. Two of them never left. Another two of them are still in the family (adopted by my sister). And yes... that same person is still breeding and selling rabbits on Kijiji. I thought I was doing something helpful by taking the kits out of their hands and "rescuing" them, but the reality of that situation hit me later.

Two more of our rabbits were returned to us five months after being adopted out (Dandelion's kits). Financial reasons. They’re amazing, sweet rabbits, and we love them, but five months isn’t a long time. That’s barely getting started.

At this point, we have an entire room in our house dedicated to rabbits. We go through an absurd amount of hay every week. We’ve dealt with vet shortages, waitlists, and the reality of trying to find care for animals that not every clinic will even see. We spend hundreds (more like thousands, but I'm in denial about that, so shhhhh...) on vet care, food, and supplies for our rabbits.

This is what “free to good home” can turn into on the other side.

Rabbits Aren’t What People Think They Are

I’m going to say this as plainly as possible... rabbits are not easy pets. They’re not low maintenance. They’re not starter animals. And they are definitely not cute little Easter accessories.

I actually wrote a post called Stop Buying Rats for Your Kids, and honestly, the same message applies here: there is no such thing as a “beginner” pet. There are only animals with needs, and people who either meet them or don’t.

Rabbits require time, space, money, and access to proper veterinary care. They need to be spayed and neutered. They make messes. They chew things. They get sick. They depend on you completely.

And yet every year, they’re marketed all over social media like they’re simple. Like they’re easy. Like they’re temporary. They’re not.

I Love This Life—But That’s Not the Point

I want to be clear about something: I love my pet-filled life. But owning eight rabbits (among our other pets) is not for the weak.

• It’s why I work from home.

• It’s why I work in veterinary medicine.

• It’s why I struggle to say no when an animal needs help.

• It’s why I started the rattery.

• It’s why I started The Second Chance Program.

This life didn’t happen by accident.

Pets Aren’t Temporary

I think what’s been bothering me the most lately is how easily these animals are treated like they’re temporary. Like they’re seasonal. Like they’re something you try out and return if it doesn’t fit your life. Like they’re a piece of furniture that doesn’t make it onto the moving truck.

Years ago, when I went through a breakup, I had my cat Archie, and there was never a question about whether he was coming with me. Of course he was. Right now, Archie is the only animal in our home who has had just one owner. Everyone else? Rehomed. Passed along. Given up.

Jubilee (🐈‍⬛) came to me at five years old. I’m her third home. Moose (🐕) came to us at six, and he was a shell of himself when he arrived. We love them. They’re safe. They’re staying. But they shouldn’t have had to go through multiple homes to get here.

So What Changes?

Honestly, I don’t think this is about one bad decision here or there. It’s a pattern. And Easter just puts a spotlight on it.

If you’re thinking about getting a rabbit this season, I’m not here to shame you, but I am asking you to slow down. Ask yourself a few questions:

Lifestyle & Time

• Do I have time every single day to clean, feed, and interact with a rabbit?

• Am I okay with a pet that needs attention but may not always want to be handled?

• Can I commit to this for 8–12+ years?

Space & Environment

• Do I have enough space for a proper enclosure (not just a small cage)?

• Can I bunny-proof my home (cords, baseboards, furniture)?

• Am I okay with some level of mess (hay everywhere, occasional accidents)?

Financial Responsibility

• Can I afford:

  • High-quality hay, fresh greens, and pellets?

  • Exotic vet care (which can be expensive and harder to find)?

  • Emergency visits if something suddenly goes wrong?

Health & Vet Care

• Do I know where the nearest rabbit-savvy (exotic) vet is?

  • Recently, the CVO (College of Veterinarians of Ontario) introduced a separate license requirement for treating pocket pets and exotic animals, which meant many clinics that previously saw rabbits had to stop, including our original rabbit vet, since the practice's focus is on other types of pets.

  • This recent change makes it even harder for small pets to seek veterinary care and is something to be very mindful of if you're getting a new pet.

• Is that vet accepting new clients?

  • Seriously, call and ask.

  • Having a vet nearby that sees rabbits does not mean they will see YOUR rabbit.

  • When I first got Alfie, I joined a waitlist at a nearby vet, and it took over a year before we finally got in. Even in a big city with lots of clinics, finding a rabbit-savvy vet wasn’t easy. We ended up driving 1.5 hours to see a vet who was actively accepting new clients so we could get our boy sterilized (along with a couple of others in our house).

• Am I prepared to act quickly if my rabbit stops eating or pooping?

• Where is the nearest emergency vet that sees rabbits? Is it open 24/7?

• Do I have transportation to get to the vet?

• Am I willing to spay/neuter my rabbit for their health and behaviour?

Behavior & Expectations

• Am I okay with chewing, digging, and natural rabbit behaviours?

• Do I understand that rabbits are prey animals and may be shy or skittish?

• Am I willing to learn their body language instead of expecting dog/cat-like affection?

Social Needs

• Can I give enough companionship, or am I open to bonding a pair?

• If I get one rabbit, how will I ensure it isn’t lonely?

Cleaning & Maintenance

• Am I okay cleaning litter boxes frequently?

• Can I keep up with daily hay refills and regular deep cleans?

Impulse Check

• Am I getting this rabbit because it’s “cute,” or because I understand the responsibility?

• What will I do if my life situation changes (moving, school, job)?

If the answer to any of the questions above is “no” or “I don’t know,” then you’re not ready to take on a rabbit. These animals deserve more than being passed from one home to the next because someone wasn’t prepared.