Baton Rouge, LA
225-341-BUNNY
225-341-2866 wendy@magichappensrescue.com

Fostering a Bunny


What are one of the main ways you can help out any shelter? BE A FOSTER PARENT.
Whether taking in a bunny that is already here at the rescue (especially when there are more bunnies than we have cages and pens!) or just hanging on to your own bunny that you'd like to find another home for, fostering is a major help to both the rescue and rabbit in foster care. It helps ease the load of caring for multiple rabbits at the main house, and the foster bun gets more one-on-one attention and care. Also, the rabbit's personality blossoms and helps us get to know him better so that we can better match him or her to a new adopting family. It's a win-win for all!


FOSTERING FAQS

IF I FOSTER A RABBIT, WHAT IS MY RESPONSIBILTY?

* You provide shelter, feeding, and general care in your home for as long as you are able OR until the rabbit(s) find a permanent home.
* MHRR will provide any medical care the rabbit might need (including neutering and spaying) before going into foster care.
* The rabbit will need at least an hour of exercise time (out of the cage) each day in a rabbit-proofed area of your home (ex: a kitchen or hallway with blocked-off exits that has no electrical cords or other dangers that the rabbit can reach).
* Keep MHRR updated with any personality, behavior, or health changes. A quick e-mail or phone call once a week with an update is sufficient.
* Be available to bring the fostered rabbit back to the main house to meet with potential adopters (unless you are fostering as a test-run to adopt your rabbit). This is done by appointment and will be arranged with your schedule in mind.

DO I HAVE TO BE AN “OFFICIAL” VOLUNTEER TO HELP?

No. We have many volunteers, and some are able to volunteer more often than others, but we are appreciative of all the help we get for our adoptables!

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Absolutely nothing unless you want to donate - MHRR can provide any items that you do not already have or are able to provide, including a cage, litterbox, food/water containers, litter, hay, and pellets. If you choose to let us provide the food, please bring a container to hold the pellets and hay (plastic totes work well). If you choose to provide your own food, please make sure it is not the food with "other" stuff in it (like the dehydrated vegetables). You may choose to get a special kind of litter or spoil your foster with veggies and treats. Typical costs for these are:
* fresh greens (parsley, leaf lettuce, dandelion) - $5/week
* Litter - $8 every 2 weeks

WHAT IF I'VE NEVER OWNED A RABBIT BEFORE?

We'll make sure you take home an "easy keeper" that doesn't have personality issues like cage aggression or special medications. We are here for you no matter what questions you have. We were all beginners once also, and we help beginners all the time to get set up for their first pet rabbit. It's what we do!

I HAVE A PET ALREADY. IS THIS A PROBLEM?

Probably not. Many rabbits get along great with cats and gentle dogs. Rabbits and cats are often typically do not bother one another, though sometimes the rabbit will chase the cat or ask it to groom him or her! If your dog is fine with a cat, he or she will likely be fine with a rabbit that is not afraid of dogs. You will need to use your best judgment about introducing two animals, and be able to keep the rabbit in a room isolated and safe from taunting or attack by other household pets if need be.

WOULD FOSTERING ONE ANIMAL FOR A FEW WEEKS REALLY MATTER?

Absolutely! Providing foster care is a significant service. It allows the rabbit a break from the noise and confinement of the shelter, and lightens the duty of the volunteers at the shelter.
* Fostering allows the rabbit more exercise time than it would receive at the shelter.
* Being under the supervision of the same individual or family long-term allows a bunny's personality to truly be observed, which helps when posting it's profile online and finding it the best matching home.
* In cases where we have a waiting list, it helps rabbits get out of their situation faster and into a new home sooner!
Fostering allows you to do a wonderful deed for an abandoned animal without a long-term commitment.




If you'd like to welcome an adoptable bunny into your home, please e-mail us which bunny you are interested in, along with the MHRR Foster Application. Fostering can be as temporary as you need it to be, or as a trial run for a particular rabbit you are interested in possibly adopting. You can contact Magic Happens anytime during the foster period for any questions or concerns about care, behavior, or otherwise. You can reach Wendy at 225-341-2866 or wendy@magichappensrescue.com