adopt

Thank you for your interest in adopting a bunny! We partner with Rabbitats Rescue Society and it is our goal to find responsible, loving homes for each and every one of our rabbits. All of our bunnies have been spayed / neutered and vaccinated for RHD. 

  1. Visit
    Book a visit so you can meet and interact with the rabbits at The Bunny Cafe. Each rabbit’s personality is unique and our Bunny Whisperers would be happy to tell you more about them!

    Rabbits are very social creatures so we encourage you to consider adopting a pair. Pairs of bunnies are often happier and less stressed because they have each other for emotional support, socialization, and grooming. Many of our bunnies are bonded pairs or used to living in a colony setting and would thrive with a companion.

    If you have a bunny and are looking for a mate, the adoption process is very similar. After you submit an adoption application and complete a phone interview, we will schedule a “speed dating session”. Bunnies can be picky and it’s important to let them choose their own mates! To be eligible for a speed dating session, your bunny must be spayed / neutered at least 6 weeks ago and vaccinated for RHD. Please do not bring your rabbit to The Bunny Cafe without prior approval.

  2. Apply
    Complete and submit the adoption application located at the bottom of this page. For the question “Is there a specific rabbit(s) in whom you are interested?”, write down the rabbits’ names and note that they are at The Bunny Cafe. It may take a week or so for us to process your application and get in touch (make sure to check your Spam folder!). 

  3. Interview
    One of our adoption coordinators will contact you to schedule an interview. If we ask for follow-up information, please get back to us as soon as possible so we can continue processing your application.

    Adoption approval is based on the best match for the rabbit’s needs, and is not first-come-first-served. Our adoption process typically takes between 2-4 weeks.

  4. Welcome
    We will schedule an adoption day and provide a care guide to help make a smooth transition for your newest family member! The adoption fee is $100 per animal, which will be collected upon adoption. The full adoption fee goes to Rabbitats Rescue to support the bunnies in their care.

 foster

While all bunnies at The Bunny Cafe are adoptable, they don’t become available for adoption until they’ve been spayed or neutered. When a group of very young or baby bunnies comes to us, we eventually need to split them up into foster homes until they are old enough to be spayed and neutered, and then they become officially adoptable.

If you’re interested in fostering a young bunny, below are some things to consider. Have more questions? We’d love to answer them! Email us at hello.bunnycafe@gmail.com.

  • If you are fostering a young bunny, you are committing to caring for them until this time comes. Once they’ve had their surgery, they will become available for adoption. If you, as their foster, wish to adopt at this time, you get priority! If you choose not to adopt, the bunny will become available for adoption to the public

  • Baby bunnies are energetic, fun, and super loveable, but they’re also a whole lot of work, and there can be some potential unwanted behaviours. Unlike neutered adult bunnies, babies can be difficult to litter train. Their hormones will be rampant in the months leading up to their spay/neuter. They will want to mark their territory and will often poop and pee all over. They may spray you, and unfixed rabbit pee often has a stronger smell than that of adult bunnies. As they develop, more unwanted behaviours can kick in. They may hump you. They may growl at you or become aggressive or territorial. They may get destructive and will chew and dig.

    You will need to have a good cleaning routine and be able to spend time with your foster bunny daily. They need a big space to run, jump and play - 24 square feet is recommended as a minimum. An exercise pen is usually the easiest setup. These bunnies must live indoors and cannot be allowed to interact with unspayed/unneutered rabbits, under any circumstances.

  • Yes, fosters are generally expected to be able to pay for food, hay, and litter pellets. You will also generally be expected to supply your own x-pen or other enclosure for the bunny. If you are unable to provide these on your own, it can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

  • Growing babies need lots of food! Generally, at the time we send the bunnies out to foster, they will be on a diet of unlimited hay (a 50/50 mix of alfalfa and timothy), ¼ cup of pellets (Martin Little Friends brand, a 50/50 mix of “Original” baby and Adult pellets), and 1-2 cups of fresh veggies daily. The ¼ cup of pellets can be split into 2 small meals per day.

    As the bunny ages, they will need to be gradually weaned off of the baby pellets and alfalfa hay. This is a very slow transition. Usually by 6 months of age we can fully wean them off, and at that time they will be on a diet of unlimited timothy hay, ¼ cup of Adult pellets, and 1-2 cups of fresh veggies per day.

    Treats, including fruit, sugary vegetables, and some store-bought bunny snacks, are okay in limited quantities!

  • Bunnies are social animals and are almost always happier with a partner. That being said, when bunnies are young and hormonal, it can be difficult for them to get along with others, so they may need to be fostered alone. Once they’re older, they’ll be eligible for bunny speed dating where they can find a friend.

    Because our main goal is to get these rabbits into good, permanent homes, priority will be given to those who wish to “foster-to-adopt;” that is, fostering with the intention of later adopting the bunny.

    While children are often very excited at the prospect of bringing a bunny home, they are generally not recommended as pets for kids, and are not good starter pets. We require that all bunnies adopted or fostered must be primarily cared for by a responsible adult.

    The cost of the spay/neuter surgery is included in the adoption fee of $100, and they will have had their first RHDV vaccine prior to adoption, but donations toward these are always welcome and appreciated!

  • Rabbitats does not adopt out unspayed/unneutered rabbits. With the numbers of rabbits in shelters and being abandoned every day, it’s important to reduce chances of accidental litters. Additionally, fixed rabbits live longer and healthier lives: a huge percentage of unfixed rabbits will end up with reproductive cancer. Spaying and neutering eliminates this risk.