| Congratulations on taking
the first step toward saving a bunny's life! We applaud
your desire to share your life with a rabbit. However,
before making your final decision, we highly recommend
that you take a few moments to read: Is a rabbit right
for you? If you already have rabbits at home, please read
the section on adding another rabbit to your household.
Remember, most of our rabbits end up abandoned by somebody
who "thought" s/he wanted a rabbit and acted
on impulse without thinking through about the impact a
rabbit might have on his/her life.
The House Rabbit Society of Singapore (HRSS) is working
closely with the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
to facilitate the adoption of bunnies in SPCA's care.
SPCA runs the largest animal shelter in Singapore and
receives over 1,000 unwanted animals every single
month. However, the sad reality
is that less than 10% of these animals find good homes.
HRSS volunteers also respond to numerous requests to
rescue rabbits dumped around our neighbourhoods. HRSS
rescued rabbits are kept at the homes of HRSS volunteers
till they are adopted. If you find any abandoned rabbits,
please take them to your home and contact
HRSS immediately. We have a very small number of
volunteers who are able to provide foster homes. Due
to the limitation of our resources, we regret that we
are unable to assist if you are planning to give up
your bunnies.
We hope we have managed to convince you about the seriousness
of the rabbit overpopulation problem in Singapore. We
hope you can adopt one of the rabbits from our adoption
gallery.
The adoption of rabbits in our case is free of charge.
However, we hope you will take up the Friends
of HRSS membership and/or make a donation
to support our very important work.
As a pet is a lifetime commitment with considerable
responsibilities involved, we thoroughly screen potential
adopters. This may include a house visit and/or an interview
with the whole family. After the adoption formalities
are completed we hope you will keep us regularly updated
on how the bunnies are doing. Of course, HRSS volunteers
will always be available, both online
and offline, to answer your queries and advise you on
how to take proper care of your new companion.
Please click here to
see an overview of our screening process.
A Must Read: Bunny
Business before adopting any rabbit.
Kindly review the following adoption policies if you
are interested in adopting any bunnies in our care.
- Primary Caregiver: When a rabbit is adopted
from a HRSS foster home, the primary caregiver must
be a responsible adult. This adult must be 21 years or older, have time and financial resources for a rabbit. The rabbit should be treated
as an integral part of the family, i.e., no group
ownership (such as a classroom pet). We do NOT
permit the adoption of rabbits as pets for children.
As with all pets, rabbits need love, attention and financial support from their primary caregiver. The entire family must want the rabbit. Adoptions to families with children will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Indoor Housing: Adopters of HRSS rabbits
must understand that our rabbits are to live as household
companions. This means that they must have their primary
living space indoors, and must spend every night indoors.
A rabbit who lives inside with the family becomes a more meaningful part of the family. He will also provide entertainment as he plays with his toys and does his happy-bunny dance called "binkies". In addition, a rabbit housed outside is at high risk for fleas, mites, ticks, heat exhaustion, and predators. If you would like us to help you prepare your house for a bunny, we will be glad to assist.
At HRSS, we strongly advocate a CAGE-FREE environment 24/7 for all of our rabbits as our rabbits are litter-trained. If your rabbit cannot have run of the house or a rabbit proofed room, alternatively, a 6-8 pcs of playpen housing should be considered as rabbits need plenty of exercise to move in ways instinct tells them to - this is both physically and emotionally healthy for the rabbits.
- Homes with Dogs & Other Animals: Homes with dogs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. It takes a rabbit with a special personality to feel comfortable living in close proximity to a dog. It also takes a special dog! Although HRSS does occasionally place foster rabbits in homes with dogs, we have few rabbits who have compatible personalities, and the dog always meets the potential rabbit first.
- Social Requirements: If the rabbit is going to be alone for a majority of the time, then we recommend that the applicant adopt a second rabbit as a companion for the first. Alternatively, we recommend that the applicant consider a pair of rabbits.
- Sterilising: HRSS is working on a scheme
to ensure that all mature rabbits in our care are
sterilised before they are re-homed. This way, you will never have to find homes for a surprise litter of bunnies. If you are looking for a best friend for your rabbit, and your rabbit has been spayed or neutered, then we can begin the matchmaking bonding process.
- Allergies: The primary component of a rabbit's diet is hay. There are different kinds of hay, some with less dust than others, but PLEASE have all family members tested for hay allergies before getting a rabbit if you suspect their may be an issue.
Also, rabbit sheds every 3 months. The shedding of furs could lead to sensitivity to babies, toddlers, young children or even adults who have asthmatic background.
- Returns: If, after the adoption process has been completed, you find that you cannot take care of your bunny, please contact HRSS immediately to seek assistance and discuss alternative measures.
Once a bunny is adopted from HRSS, the space is usually filled with another rescued rabbit within a week. A return requires two preparations: a space must be opened by a new adoption, and another rabbit must be "bumped" from the rescue list at our foster homes.
Nevertheless, all rabbits adopted from HRSS must be returned to HRSS if insurmountable problems exist. Please do not choose to abandon!
- Exchanges: HRSS does not exchange animals.
Exceptions may be made when:
- The fosterer and adopter are working together
on making a match between an adoptee and a pre-residing
rabbit AND
- In the fosterer's judgement, a different match
would be less stressful to the animals.
- Adoption Fee: HRSS adoption fee is free however upon any successful adoption, adopter needs to become a friend of HRSS. The annual membership fee is $25, and goes towards funding our various activities in creating awareness, education and rescue & adoption work. Hope you can support our causes.
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