The House Rabbit Society rescues rabbits at what we call the "eleventh hour."  This means that these were rabbits whose time was up at the animal shelter, and they would have been euthanized.   When we take these rabbits into our own shelter or foster system, besides spaying or neutering them, litterbox training them, and socializing them, we make a commitment to them for life.

This means that we are very careful in screening potential adopters, to make certain that they will be well cared for for the rest of their lives.For this reason, we have a number of qualifications that a potential adopter must meet, in order to adopt one of our rabbits.These are included on our handout, "Adoption Policies.

Because we are run by volunteers, we also have had to create a system which makes it easy for potential adopters to visit with the rabbits and choose their future companion, but which also enables our adoption volunteers to work with potential adopters to make sure that their choice is the right one.

To that end, we have created the following procedures to help the adoption process for all parties. Finally, because of the costs to spay and neuter incoming rabbits, we must charge a $50 per rabbit adoption fee. This does not fully offset the immediate medical costs, but it covers most of them.

The adoption process is as follows:

1.Potential adopter visits the shelter to meet adoptable rabbits. Rabbits in the habitat rooms A-D are ready for adoption. Rabbits in the quarantine room must spend three weeks in quarantine, during which time their health is screened, personality is assessed, and they are spayed or neutered.  After their quarantine period is over, they are moved into the habitats rooms and are placed for adoption. Potential adopters can also look at non-shelter adoptables via a bulletin board in the office. 2.Potential adopter fills out Adoption Questionnaire and takes home Adoption Procedures, Adoption Policies and Care packet. Potential adopter looks at their home to take care of necessary bunnyproofing, and decides what purchases must be made in terms of cage, pen, or other housing arrangement, litterboxes, toys, and other care items. 3.Once potential adopter has read through the materials, made arrangements in their home, and decided that they want to make the commitment, they call the to go over details of adoption, or can simply return to the shelter. 4.A home visit may be scheduled with adopter by an adoption counselor, so that we can help adopter to prevent any accidents or potential problems. 5.If all goes well, adopter is invited to return to shelter to adopt rabbit. At that time, adopter will fill out the Adoption Agreement, and will pay the adoption fee.