Are You Ready to Commit?

Before you commit, it is important to remember that all bunnies, including Holland Lops, require time, attention, and proper care. We want to provide important information to prevent cases of buyer's remorse and the possibility of bunnies being taken to animal shelters.

• The average lifespan of a Holland Lop is 7-10 years. Are you prepared to care for a bunny for as long as it lives?

• Holland Lops are usually affectionate and crave your attention. Do you have time to spend with a bunny every day?

• Holland Lops live longer and are healthier when raised indoors. Do you have space in your home for cage space/exercise pen and a safe place for a bunny to exercise?

• Bunnies need to chew. Pretty much everything in their reach including furniture, papers, cords, and plants is fair game. Are you prepared to bunny-proof your home to keep it safe for a bunny as well as for your belongings?

• Bunnies can develop several life-threatening conditions and need medical intervention very quickly. Do you have a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about bunnies and their care, along with emergency rabbit vets who are available after normal practice hours?

• Bunnies need fresh water, high-quality food, and timothy hay provided on a daily basis. Can you provide these things for a bunny?

• Bunnies poop pretty much constantly while they hop around. Can you handle a plethora of poo balls? Can you spend time litter box training your bunny to keep the mess to a minimum? Do you have a way to dispose of the poo (which is excellent fertilizer, by the way)?

• Pet bunnies can get moody as they enter puberty. Bucks may spray, does may suddenly get nippy. Are you prepared to have a pet bunny spayed or neutered to prevent some of these behaviors caused by hormonal changes?

• Bunnies need to be brushed/combed to be kept mat-free. They also need to have their nails clipped every month. Do you know how to perform these tasks or are you willing to learn?

• Rabbits can be costly pets to have. Some sources indicate that they are twice as expensive as keeping a cat. Food, high quality hay, greens, routine and emergency veterinary care, spay/neuter fee, plus regular supplies like a living space, exercise pen, food/water bowls, toys/enrichment activities, bedding, etc...the costs add up quickly. Are you financially able to provide a rabbit with the care it needs to live a happy, healthy life?

• Rabbits can be very sensitive to loud noises: arguing, loud music/TV, children having meltdowns, loud machinery operating nearby, etc. When something startles them, they need a safe, quiet place to hide until things are calm and quiet again. If this is not available, they can develop serious health issues. Are you able to provide a quiet environment where a bunny can feel safe at all times?

• Rabbits are fragile animals who can easily be injured or even killed from mishandling by children or adults who have not learned how to care for bunnies. Are you prepared to maintain close supervision when people interact with your rabbit, to protect him/her from harm?

• Rabbits go through seasonal molts, when they shed their coats as they grow new ones. The old fur gets everywhere! They need daily grooming so they don't ingest the fur, which could lead to life-threatening health issues. Are you prepared to care for your rabbit and give it the extra grooming attention it needs when the fur starts flying?

• Bunnies are prey animals and are easily frightened by small children and other pets. If you have young children or other pets, are you willing and able to provide the supervision necessary to keep bunny safe and to teach young children how to handle bunny? Will other pets be taught that bunny is not a toy or prey to hunt?

• Bunnies are healthier and better behaved when they are spayed or neutered. Do you have the additional funds saved to have this procedure performed? Spaying can cost approximately $150-500 (depending upon the vet), while neutering is slightly lower.

• Bunnies need your time and love. Are you prepared to give both to a bunny?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, we strongly urge you to think through your decision to add a rabbit to your life. Bunnies will thrive under the right circumstances, but will have poor health and a poor attitude if a need is not met. Circumstances throughout your life will change, so a decision to hold off until you are able to say "yes" to all of these questions shows wisdom and the ability to put an animal's needs ahead of your own desires. We greatly respect people who realize they are in the "not yet" phase of life.

If you were able to respond to each questions with a resounding "yes" we invite you to complete the New Bunny Questionnaire and look forward to receiving your submission.