Rabbits are the third most surrendered companion animal to shelters, yet their complex behavioral needs are frequently misunderstood by adopters and shelter staff.
Shelters often lack the resources and expertise to adequately house and enrich rabbits, leading to high stress and deteriorating welfare during extended stays. Rabbit-savvy foster networks, species-appropriate housing with visual hides, and bonded pair adoption programs dramatically improve both welfare and adoption success rates. Education for potential adopters on rabbit lifespan (8-12 years) and complexity is essential.