Your trip is just around the corner–next week to be exact, and you’ve been anticipating this break for months. You’ve put in your PTO, booked your flight, and almost religiously checked the weather for your destination. Most importantly, you’ve done your due diligence to find a reliable caretaker for your pets (yay!), and you’re running through the final check-list to make sure your companions, and your peace of mind, are settled when you’re away.

Leaving my rabbits Reese and Mindy with a sitter has always made me a bit uneasy. I worried about disrupting my bunnies’ routines. I worried they would miss me. I also worried about their well-being in general. Now, with the two Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus outbreaks (RHDV1 and RHDV2) and the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole environment of rabbit care has shifted. I have a new set of criteria to make sure my bunnies stay safe and healthy when I can’t be with them.