Bunny FAQs

You will need:

• an enclosure–x-pens and Living World XL cages are great starter spaces;
• a large or extra-large open-top litter box (that has not been used by a cat);
• pelletized Pine Litter non-clumping (Feline Pine, Equine Fresh, TSC Pine Pellet Stall Bedding, etc);
• water bowl–water bottles are not recommended and the buns are accustomed to larger bowls or gravity waterers;
• grass hay (timothy hay, orchard grass, oat hay, etc–not alfalfa);
• rabbit pellets (the kind that is all brown/greenish-brown);
• bunny safe treats;
• Lots of love and little patience while your bun adjusts to his/her new surroundings.

This is a common myth.  Rabbits are not starter pets and require specialized vet care that can often be expensive.  Rabbits can live for 8-12 years with proper medical care and diet. Rabbits are not animals that can be placed in a cage and checked on occasionally. They require daily care and exercise other than that in an enclosure.

No. While rabbits do enjoy some supervised time outdoors, domesticated rabbits must live in a temperature-controlled environment. The summers are too hot and the winters are too cold for rabbits to live outdoors. There are also risks of injury or death by predators such as dogs, stray cats, coyotes, or owls. Just the mere sight of a predator can cause sheer panic for a rabbit.

We have adoption events in both Elizabethtown and Lexington, Kentucky.  If you have a rabbit you want to foster or adopt, contact the rescue via Facebook or contact us here to let us know you’re interested in a specific rabbit.  Fill out an adoption application and one of our directors will respond to you via email within 72 hours.

Yes! Some rabbits such as our larger, gentle rabbits would be best for families with small children, as children are less likely to try to pick up a large rabbit.  Larger breeds are also calmer and tend to not frighten as easily. We recommend any children under the age of 8 (eight) years are supervised while interacting with a rabbit.  Children over the age of 8 should have the assistance of a parent or other caregiver and should not be expected to provide all the care rabbits require.

• Rabbits need at least 8 (eight) square feet of space, so if this situation is temporary, we encourage you to just alter how you and your rabbit share space to accommodate the rabbit. 
• If you are no longer able to care for the rabbit you adopted from Bun Bun Brigade, you are required to bring the rabbit back to the rescue per your adoption agreement.  
• If you are determined to return your rabbit to the rescue, please fill out this intake form so we may process the return for our records. Adoption fees are non-refundable.

• The first step is to fill out an intake form.
• We charge a fee for intake and typically have a waiting list, however, if you are willing to have your rabbit spayed or neutered at your own cost prior to surrendering your rabbit, we will review your request and move you to the top of our intake list.  Coordinate with our director when they respond to your intake form. 
• Please note: the rescue requires the rabbit enclosure or habitat to be surrendered with the rabbit. Donations of remaining food, pelleted litter, toys, and travel carriers are always accepted.
• Buns adopted from us are first priority. Other buns are added to the list in the order in which their intake form was submitted. The length of time a bun is on the waiting list is entirely dependent upon the number of adoptions we have. Wait times can be several months depending on how many requests we have received.

The bigger the space, the better! Bunnies need at least eight square feet of space for their enclosure. Special needs buns may need additional space. Some larger buns need a bunny-safe room such as a bedroom.

• Grass hay makes up 80% of a rabbit’s diet and should always be available for rabbits to eat;
• Rabbit pellets make up another 15% of their diet;
• Leafy Greens make up the remaining 5% of their diet;
• Fruit only as treats due to their high sugar content;
• Fresh water should be available at all times.

• Parsley
• Spinach
• Mustard Greens
• Radish tops
• Arugula
• Carrot tops
• Cucumber leaves
• endive
• Lettuce (any kind other than iceberg)
• Dandelion Greens
• Mint
• Kale
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Fennel
• Dill Leaves

• Apple
• Pear
• Peach
• Papaya
• Mango
• Berries (of any kind)
• Nectarine

Rabbits are prey animals and will often find it safer to run away.  To earn a rabbit’s trust, you need to get on their level and just exist quietly on the floor with them.  A very brave bunny will come over to investigate the new obstacle on the floor. Treats help to speed along the bonding process between owner and rabbit. The bunnies would also like us to remind you that breaking a treat in half doesn’t count as two treats.

The House Rabbit Society has great resources on this.  Please see this link and read about the bonding process.

We do! Please visit House Rabbit Society. They have a wealth of information.

We are not licensed to care for wildlife. Please visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife for a wildlife rehabilitator in your area: http://app.fw.ky.gov/rehabilitatorNew/

Volunteers are the reason we can help so many rabbits each year!  Our current roles for volunteers include weekly cleaning of enclosures, transporting buns to and from the vet for spays and neuters, and assisting with events.  You can find additional information on our volunteers’ page.

• We love to hear this!  Our PayPal link is listed on every page and we encourage you to set up recurring donations.  You can also donate through our online shop.
• If you want to donate to our vet for our spays and neuters, please call Town & Country Veterinary Services at (270) 692-1297.  So we can thank you properly, please be sure to let us know you’ve made the donation.
  
  Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law but non-refundable.
• Postal mail and packages can be sent to:
• Bun Bun Brigade
  PO Box 210
  Rineyville, KY 40162