Philosophy

1. The House Rabbit Society believes ALL rabbits are valuable as individuals, regardless of breed purity, temperament, state of health, or relationship to humans. The welfare of all rabbits is our primary consideration.
    

2. Except for unique situations in which wild animals are being nursed or rehabilitated, it is in the best interest of wild rabbits that human intervention be held to a minimum.
    

3. Domestic rabbits are not the product of natural selection, but rather of human interference by means of breeding programs, resulting in human-dependent animals who need protection. It is therefore a human responsibility for these animals to be cared for in a manner appropriate to their needs.
    

4. It is in the best interest of domestic rabbits to be neutered/spayed, to live in human housing where supervision and protection are provided, and to be treated for illnesses by veterinarians.
    

5. Domestic rabbits are companion animals and should be afforded at least the same individual rights, level of care, and opportunity for longevity as is commonly afforded dogs and cats who live as human companions.
    

6. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals who require mental stimulation, toys, exercise, environment activity, and social interaction from, as appropriate, people, other rabbits, or other animals.

General Policies

1. The House Rabbit Society believes ALL rabbits are valuable as individuals, regardless of breed purity, temperament, state of health, or relationship to humans. The welfare of all rabbits is our primary consideration.
    

2. Except for unique situations in which wild animals are being nursed or rehabilitated, it is in the best interest of wild rabbits that human intervention be held to a minimum.
    

3. Domestic rabbits are not the product of natural selection, but rather of human interference by means of breeding programs, resulting in human-dependent animals who need protection. It is therefore a human responsibility for these animals to be cared for in a manner appropriate to their needs.
    

4. It is in the best interest of domestic rabbits to be neutered/spayed, to live in human housing where supervision and protection are provided, and to be treated for illnesses by veterinarians.
    

5. Domestic rabbits are companion animals and should be afforded at least the same individual rights, level of care, and opportunity for longevity as is commonly afforded dogs and cats who live as human companions.
    

6. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals who require mental stimulation, toys, exercise, environment activity, and social interaction from, as appropriate, people, other rabbits, or other animals.

Adoption Policies

1. Primary caregiver: When a rabbit is adopted from HRS, the primary caregiver must be a responsible adult. The rabbit should be treated as an integral part of the family, i.e., no group ownership (such as a classroom pet).
    

2. Indoors: Adopters of HRS rabbits must provide indoor housing for them at night. Indoors is defined as “space in a human house or a building structure with solid walls (not wire mesh) and human-size, walk-through doors of solid material”.
    

   • Wire cages offer no safety against predators. Rabbits die not only by the predator’s jaws or claws, but by their own fright from the proximity of the predators. Common predators include dogs, cats, raccoons, owls, hawks, and large reptiles. These threats can come from the trees, the ground, and even from the air.
      

3. Social requirements: When safe indoor housing is provided which is NOT part of the human adopter’s living quarters (such as a shed, garage, or basement), then adoptions must be in pairs or groups to avoid loneliness, unless the HRS rabbit is being adopted as a companion to a resident rabbit or group of rabbits.
    

4. Neutering: Sexually immature rabbits of mixed sexes can be adopted together as long as the adopter agrees to separate them when the males are 3½ months old and to neuter them as soon as the testicles have descended (usually around 4 months). Males may be returned to female partners two weeks after neuter surgery. Except for medical reasons, females are to be spayed within 30 days of reaching 6 months old.
    

5. Outdoor pens: Adopters who plan to allow their rabbits outdoor DAYTIME exercise mush have secure fencing and provide adequate supervision. Fosterers may require additional safety precautions appropriate to their locale.
    

6. Returns: Adopters who are returning a rabbit must give the fostered at least one week’s advance notice. Some common sense and courtesy is expected. Once an animal is adopted from HRS, the space vacated is usually filled within a week. A return requires two preparations: a space must be opened by a new adoption, and another rabbit must be bumped for the rescue list at the animal shelter.
    

7. Exchanges: HRS does not exchange animals. Exceptions may be made when:
    

   • the fosterer and the 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
      

8. Adoption fees: HRS adoption fees are donations which cannot be refunded. We are a federally recognized tax-exempt, non-profit organization. Donations made to us are no more refundable than they are to any other public charity.

Thanks for reading!