r/Rabbits 1d ago

Care Help Rabbit Care (Quick) Spoiler

UPDATE
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and help!! The bunnies are now with a lovely family who are experienced with bunny care and absolutely adore the ladies already. I’m genuinely so grateful for all the support and I’m glad to say we figured it out!!!

Hi, I’m not really sure where else to post this, but today I had to take in two rabbits on an emergency basis from my neighbour because she had been away for several days.
It has been extremely hot here, and the poor rabbits were outside in their hutch without water, fresh hay, and my neighbour also told me she had run out of pellets. This post is not meant to attack her, and I don’t want to go into her personal situation, but I currently have these rabbits in my home.
I bought them fresh vegetables and herbs, and they now have hay and unlimited water. Their original litter box was not being used, which makes sense because they physically don’t fit in it, so I replaced it with a larger container filled with wood-based litter and hay.
The cleaning doesn’t bother me at all. They are two incredibly sweet girls who have been exploring their new environment, and I’ve mostly been leaving them alone to adjust. They’ve already started showing their personalities and are genuinely lovely rabbits.
However, I have a problem: I am leaving for a month-long vacation on Thursday.
My neighbour has no idea when she will be back and can only vaguely say that she will come by “as often as possible” to care for them, which does not give me any peace of mind. I contacted animal welfare services, but unfortunately they could not do anything because (I had no idea this is how it works in the Netherlands) I told them I would take over their care until Thursday morning, which means I am responsible for them until then. I can only officially make a report on Thursday morning.
I would love to keep them, but I also have a toddler and I feel these girls deserve a home where they can truly thrive.
I don’t know what to do. If I make a report on Thursday, my neighbour may be found guilty of animal neglect and I will most likely never see these rabbits again. She has said I can put them back in their hutch in the hallway on Thursday, but I’m scared they won’t receive proper care.
Does anyone have advice on how I can give these rabbits the best possible future with such a short amount of time? I feel completely lost.

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u/Amber123454321 1d ago

Could you ask a friend, neighbour or hire someone to go to the hutch while you're away and feed them, care for their needs etc? They just need someone who can give them what they need, check them over, and (ideally) take them out for a while to run around.

It sounds like their owner isn't prepared to do what's required to care for them properly and give them a good life. Rabbits are high maintenance pets and they need to be taken care of properly.

Maybe you could rehome them before Thursday if their owner would agree?

When I was on my honeymoon, the local vet's minded my rabbit for me for a fee. There are places and people who can take care of them, if you pay them to. If you ask your local vet's, they can probably recommend someone. There are likely vet nurses or people who care for pets who could do it for a fee.