A Walkthrough of Bunny Dating at HRS
By Lexi Langtry, HRS volunteer and speed date host
So … you’ve come to a point where you are looking to bring additional companionship into your rabbit’s life.
They may have had a previous partner and are looking for new love. Maybe you’ve noticed that your furry friend looks a little lonely through that pet camera during work hours. Or perhaps you adopted a timid rabbit who is having some difficulty coming out of their shell. Speed dates coordinated at our HRS facility are an excellent way to test the potential for these rabbit-rabbit interactions in a controlled setting.
You can take comfort in the fact that you won’t be going through this experience alone, and you will receive tons of feedback from our expert volunteer speed date hosts!
What does a speed date appointment look like?
The procedure is comically similar to some of your favorite reality dating TV shows! Upon arrival, we will ask questions about your bachelor or bachelorette’s history and personality. Have they had another rabbit friend before? What is their day-to-day energy level like? Do they tend to be social and outgoing or more reserved? Based on some of that preliminary information, we will select three rabbits within our rescue facility who may be compatible. This is where the dates begin!
Each pair will have approximately 15-20 minutes to get acquainted with one another in a neutral space. Both rabbits are placed on opposite sides of the introduction pen and allowed to interact with one another on their own accord. For safety reasons, the host typically assumes a seated position between the two rabbits while the rabbit parent(s) spectate from outside the pen.
What defines a date as being “good” or “bad”?
“Good” and “bad” are very relative terms when it comes to bonding rabbits! You will receive lots of feedback throughout the course of each date. We typically categorize social interactions into three categories – positive signs, neutral signs, and negative signs.
Positive signs: mirroring (copying each other’s activities), self-grooming, flopping, binkying
Neutral signs: exploring the space, ignoring each other, periscoping
Negative signs: excessive mounting, chasing, nipping, boxing, lunging
In about 80% of cases, you will see a mix of all three. You might observe grooming from one or both rabbits, some nonchalant sniffs and nose-boops, or even a small tiff in-between. Remember that every rabbit bond is entirely unique! Some pairs very obviously designate themselves as “husbun and wife”, whereas others may establish a more subtle coexistence. There is no right or wrong way for rabbits to get along.
What happens once there is a promising match?
The next step is integration into the household environment. This might sound like an intimidating jump, but passive bonding will help to ease the transition! Passive bonding is a setup wherein the rabbits are housed separately, but are able to communicate via visual, auditory, and scent cues. This is also commonly referred to as the “mirror method” because you, quite literally, create two living areas that mirror each other. The dual pen habitats are positioned a few inches apart (to prevent any unwanted nipping through the bars) and the amenities – including the litterbox and food/water bowls – are directly facing one another. We encourage that owners stick to this setup for seven days, only swapping shared items between the rabbits, before implementing dates within the household.
Why is my rabbit not getting along with other rabbits during these dates?
“They’re usually so well-behaved at home!” This may be the most common remark I hear from prospective adopters. There are two main reasons why this could be occurring. First, the bachelor/bachelorette in question may not have much experience in socializing with other rabbits. I like to say that they are a little socially inept, to no fault of their own. They need to learn behavioral cues and how to interact with others in a polite manner, otherwise they can risk offending the other rabbit. Second, the rabbit may simply prefer to be in the company of a human-only household! In the rescue community, we often preach that rabbits are social animals who rely on each other for protection and, therefore, are happier in pairs, trios, or entire warrens. While this is generally true, it does not resonate with everybun. Many rabbits are beyond happy to be the sole focus of their owner’s attention. You should never feel pressured into finding a companion for your rabbit!
When your speed dating session concludes, you will still be able to contact us for support! Our volunteers are happy to check in and provide advice when needed.
Are you looking for a friend for your rabbit? Let us help! This month and next, we're tripling the amount of speed dating appointments available at our facility and waiving adoption fees.
Typically, speed dates are only offered on Sundays, but in June and July, some will be on Tuesdays and Fridays. Everybunny deserves a little love! Learn more about our adoption process and sign up for an appointment at houserabbit.org/bonding-adoption.
Bonding is a lot of work, but it's so rewarding helping your rabbit find their fluffy best friend. Rabbits are very social animals and most enjoy having another rabbit as a friend, someone they can snuggle and play with. We would love to help you find the perfect match for your rabbit! Whether your rabbit is looking for an eligible bachelor or bachelorette, we have so many sweet rabbits who would love to meet them.
Email foster@houserabbit.org if you have any questions about setting up a speed date or about the adoption process when you’re adopting a friend for your rabbit.
