The Joy and Importance of Fostering

By Maxine K.

According to a 2012 study in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, rabbits are the third most surrendered animal to animal shelters in the United States. Friends of Rabbits (FoR) mainly takes in rabbits in immediate danger of euthanasia from shelters or those reported as strays. We also provide temporary foster care to abandoned and neglected rabbits, provide for the spay/neuter service, and arrange adoptions into loving, indoor, forever homes. FoR volunteers serve as fosters providing love, support, and stability for homeless rabbits awaiting adoption. Fostering gives each rabbit time while it waits to find a permanent home. It allows a rabbit to be socialized, get accustomed to a home environment, and to gradually learn to trust humans again if they were abused.

FoR provides education on rabbit care and behavior to its fosterers. We give one-on-one guidance to ensure the family is familiar with common rabbit behaviors, such as chewing and litter box habits. Knowing how to properly handle a rabbit is important, including the correct method for picking up and holding them. The foster parent must recognize behavioral changes that may indicate the rabbit is ill or injured and may require veterinary care. In these cases, FoR can administer medical care for rabbits in need. Foster parents should contact FoR officers to receive pre-approval for this care, except in cases of emergency.

Fostering requires a certain time commitment for the rabbit’s daily care. Rabbits are typically in foster care for six to nine months. Sometimes, though, they stay for as long as one year if adoptions lag for any reason. The fosterer must provide a regularly cleaned indoor living space for the rabbit, such as a large cage, exercise pen, or bunny-proofed room (preferably min. 8 square feet) in a space separate from their own rabbits. If the rabbit is housed in a cage, it must be given regular opportunities to stretch and exercise. FoR provides exercise pens or large cages to house the rabbit. Fosterers feed rabbits a regular diet of unlimited timothy hay or some other grass hay, such as brome or orchard, measured amounts of pellets, fresh water, and salad. We several supply locations and offers these consumables at cost to fosterers.

Socialization is an important part of fostering. The fosterer must be willing to work with shy bunnies to help them become more socialized, and thus make them more adoptable. Additionally, the fosterer must be available to drive the rabbit to adoption events and veterinary appointments as necessary. If the foster family has other pets in the home, they must not pose a danger to or aggravate the rabbit.

Fostering also includes public relations work. Fosterers should have access to a camera to take pictures of the bunny. Otherwise, they may take the bunny to the Media Coordinator for pictures. Fosterers are essential in educating the public about the rewards and challenges involved in life with a house rabbit. Foster parents interview potential adopters and provide information about the rabbit’s personality and any behavioral or medical issues it may have. Knowledge of the rabbit’s personality plays an essential part in finding the right forever home.

When the time comes, the fosterer should be prepared to give up their little charge to his or her forever home, where it will get the one-on-one attention that they deserve. Of course, if you become attached, you always have the option of adopting your foster bunny. When this happens, it is jokingly referred to as a “failed fosterer.”

Opening your heart and home to a rabbit in need is a special way to show your love for these gentle, intelligent, and sensitive creatures. Fostering can save a shelter bunny from euthanasia or a rescued stray bunny from injury or starvation. It is a wonderful way to get to know rabbits better and watch them blossom under your care. Witnessing your foster rabbit’s transition from a shelter to a loving home of its own is rewarding. Best of all, fostering saves lives. The more foster homes FoR has, the more rabbits they can save.