Thinking of adopting an abandoned male rabbit, need advice!?

Question

He was handed in to the zoo where I work, but he cant be rehomed in a conventional centre because he is 'violent'. I'm assuming that he has probably not been handled or anything and thats why. I also feel that I might not give him as good a home as he could have, but then I dont want him to get put down or anything. Any advice?

Answer 1

If he is violent it could of meant he was mistreated in some way as they are rarely any rabbits that are ''born' nasty. It s probably a good idea to get him neutered if he hasn't already been done, and keep him n a large hutch/run as some bunnies get depressed in small cages which can turn them  into nasty bunnies.If you decide to rescue him the first thing to do is let him calm down in his new hutch and then after a couple weeks or so have him neutered and then once he has recovered from that find some nice treats he likes and through the cage wire hand feed him these a few a day. Hopefully he will learn to trust and respect you, then with a long handled brush start to stroke him when hes eating the treats(if he backs up stop) and if he bites it just keep going slowly,eventually you can use your hand but be careful!!  After a while when he hopefully lets you near him,put on Your hand on his shoulders and the other on this lower back(in  preparation of picking him up) And once he has let you do this for a week or so sit down and lift him carefully (with one hand gently on his chest and the other on his belly/hind legs) out the cage and onto your lap feeding him treats as he is sat there. And hopefully this will work as i has with me!!! Hope this helps and good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

My 16yr old daughter is a whizz with rabbits and has much success with taming and caring for unwanted rabbits and I am sure would really love to help anyway she can.  She talks, sings,and handles them gently but firmly and has even taught them tricks.  One of them especially was a growling biting little horror but with time and lots of patience he sleeps in her arms and in a year has never bitten her.  Please let us know the sort of things you want to know - her email address is [e-mail] and she also knows how to get on line for a chat if you are interested.  Hope this is helpful.

Answer 3

My guess is that he's not neutered and not used to being handled.

If you decide you don't want to keep him, try to find a rabbit rescue group rather than a regular shelter - they'll have some patient, experienced foster homes who are willing to work with problem bunnies.

If you do want to give him a home yourself, I'd recommend bringing him to the vet right away - get him neutered and have him checked for any health problems. Sometimes "aggressive" bunnies are just in pain.

Here's a good FAQ on aggression in rabbits:

http://rabbit.org/faq/sections/aggressio...

And a success story for motivation

http://rabbit.org/journal/2-2/mean-rabbi...

Good luck!

Answer 4

Rabbit goes well with a honey glaze. J/K

If you have the room and dont mind the p**p why not?