SDHRS Adoption Application Follow-Up

Thank you for meeting with me to discuss adopting a rabbit!

As we talked about, the next step is for you to set up your rabbit’s living and play areas. Once everything is in place, please send over photos for review before we can approve your adoption.

If you agree to completing our minimum requirements, I can place a bunny on hold for you. Please email me to confirm that you agree to the minimum requirements.

Please note: we can only hold rabbits for 7 days at a time, and we do require weekly check-ins during the setup period. If we don’t hear from you within the 7 day hold period, we will release the adoption hold.

A Note About Housing

Please keep in mind that we do not approve hutch or cage living. All SDHRS rabbits are housed in x-pens that are 4’x4’, 4’x6’, or 4’x8’, or they free-roam in their foster homes. Our rabbits are used to having space to stretch out, run, binky, and engage in normal rabbit behaviors. We do not want their quality of life to move backwards once they go to their forever homes, so maintaining adequate space is essential.

Please refer to the photo gallery below for examples of approved setups — following these guidelines will help expedite your adoption process.

Supplies & Setup

We recommend visiting our online bunny store for the items you’ll need. As we discussed, please get as close to everything on our list as possible—this helps the approval process move much faster.

Basic Bunny Supplies (Minimum Requirements)

• 4’x4’ X-pen (minimum height of 30”)

  • This is the minimum space for one rabbit, even if they’ll have a larger play area.

  • Two or more rabbits or larger rabbits require a 4’ x 8’ X-pen (minimum 30” tall).

  • Pen extenders and lids are optional add-ons.

• Large litter box

• Paper-based or wood pellet litter (e.g., Carefresh or wood pellets)

• Large box of grass hay (Timothy, Orchard, or mixed)

• Small food bowl 

• Large (7.5”) ceramic water crock

• Hidey box with at least two openings for entrance/exit such as a  Cottontail Cottage or the Kissing Booth or gable house.

• Non-slippery flooring such as carpet squares, area rug, towels, or blankets.

  • For carpet protection, here is one option from Home Depot (photo of vinyl piece on the right)

• Timothy hay-based pellets.  Because our rabbits are on the Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food, we ask our adopters to purchase this food

  for the bunnies, even if they want to TRANSITION the bunny to another food.

• Leafy green vegetables

• Bunny-safe toys 

• Hard-sided carrier with non-slip pad in bottom

• Comb such as the HairBuster

• Rescue™ disinfectant (or equivalent effective against RHDV2)

  • Disinfect all living and exercise areas before setting up the pen and supplies.

  • Important: If your home has carpet and you wear shoes indoors, please use a deep-cleaning machine (steam/shampoo) before applying Rescue. Attached is a report showing that Rescue is far less effective on carpet without agitation. Starting with a clean base is much safer for your rabbit long-term.

• Please see photos below to see what we minimally require in all of our bunny spaces.