The Lovely Lioness Adoption Policies:

 

 

• As small breeders who are lifelong animal lovers, we feel an obligation to ensure each of our babies go to approved, committed, kind, loving forever homes. We share a part in bringing these beautiful and innocent souls into this world, and we feel it is our duty to protect and love each and every one of them and to choose new bunny parents who will continue to do the same.

 

• Although our bunnies are purebred, from pedigree lines and likely show-quality (in many cases), we adopt strictly to * PET-ONLY* / NON-BREEDING homes. We will not be adopting any of our babies with pedigrees, for this reason. We simply wish for them to be loved and to live their lives as spoiled and cherished pets, as they deserve.

 

• We *only* adopt to homes where bunnies will be kept indoors, as a part of the family, NOT kept in small cages isolated for long-periods alone or housed separately/alone (eg. garage, shed, outside). Exercise pens, large (MIN. 4.x4) home-made enclosures, extra large kennels, a bedroom or bathroom, or NIC cubes creations, make great rabbit homes/enclosures. It is good for bunnies to have a safe space of their own, especially when unsupervised, but it is not okay for rabbits to live their lives knowing only the inside walls of a tiny wire box! Small pet-store “rabbit” cages are much too small and create a very sad and limited existence for bunnies. Wood shavings are also not good to use for bunnies. Litter-boxes with wood or newspaper pellets and/or hay are much safer and healthier choices. Rabbits need exercise, social interaction and love for their emotional and physical well-being. Long periods of isolation/in small cages/alone, may cause emotional and physical harm and is certainly NOT in the best interests of any sentient and intelligent being. We are happy to answer any questions, to offer ideas, support, as well as contacts to help you create a suitable home-plan for your new baby : )

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• We do *NOT* adopt to breeding homes OR homes with young children*. If you have older children who are mature enough to safely handle these delicate animals (and who will not simply lose interest in them in a few weeks time), please feel free to apply and we will take this into consideration. (*We will make exceptions, based on individual circumstances and conversations with individual applicants.)

 

• We do *NOT* adopt our bunnies over Easter or Christmas holidays or as gifts for others. Far too many bunnies are purchased as gifts for children over holidays and are later thrown away when the holidays are over and they simply lose interest.

 

• We do our best to educate all new bunny parents and are always available to answer questions/provide support. We also offer contacts for local, rabbit-savvy veterinarians. If planning to spay/neuter (can be done at 4 months for males, 6 months for females), please ONLY use a rabbit-knowledgeable vet. We DO recommend spaying and neutering, though, this procedure can be risky for bunnies, so a rabbit-experienced vet is *essential*.

 

• We DO NOT adopt any baby bunnies before 8 weeks old and sometimes we hold on to them longer, if in their best interest.

 

• We do NOT ship our babies, sorry. Local pick-up/delivery only. If picking up/meeting, you MUST bring a soft or hard-sided pet travel carrier for bunny to travel safely in the car.

 

• Babies will leave with a “care-package”, including hay, pellets and care information.

 

 

• *We will gladly adopt up to two baby bunnies to a home, at one time, IF they are bonded, from the same litter and are of the same gender (eg. two sisters can be adopted together). We will not adopt two bunnies of opposite sexes together, from the same or different litters (to avoid inbreeding, accidental litter, fighting etc.). Adult bunnies can be very difficult to bond with other new rabbits and it is much easier/ often works out very well to keep bonded sibling pairs together, especially if spaying/neutering.

 

 

• *Any DEPOSITS and ADOPTION FEES are NON refundable for any reason (eg. you changed your mind / circumstances changed). No exceptions: unless we were to refuse a sale. Deposits are payable by E-transfer.

 

 

• When adopting a bunny from us, you completely understand, acknowledge and agree to:

 

 

1. *NEVER BREED, ABANDON, TRADE OR SELL RABBIT TO A THIRD PARTY*.

2. Make your home safe/bunny-proof prior to adopting your rabbit.

3. Provide necessary vet-care for your rabbit for his or her lifetime.

4. Provide acceptable shelter (*eg. indoor-housing, appropriate-size living spaces eg. exercise pen area, no tiny cages) and plenty of daily time to run/play/exercise), fresh water, pellets, fresh greens, unlimited fresh hay, brushing, clean litterbox, toys and attention/love on a daily basis.

5.Treasure and commit to this bunny for his or her lifetime, which could be 8-10 + years.

6. In the event of a life-changing emergency or death, rabbit MUST be surrendered back to us (*when space is available, which is much quicker/ easier if rabbit is surrendered with cage or kennel). No adoption fees will be returned. We will ensure rabbit is health-checked and re-homed to an approved home. *In the event returning is not possible (eg. living out of province), owner must still contact us and we will assist and help with finding a new approved home.

7. We ask that all adopters do their “due diligence” in researching rabbits, the Lionhead breed and specific needs (eg. MINIMUM WEEKLY BRUSHING is necessary for this breed), bunny-care, PRIOR to the adoption. We are available to answer any questions. The House Rabbit Society is another SUPERB online resource.

8. We ask that adopters keep in touch with us. We love to receive updates, photos and know how our babies are doing : )

9. Agree that rabbit is to be a cared for PET-ONLY. NOT to be used for food, breeding, experiments or for any other purpose than a loved family pet.

10. While we ensure that bunnies are healthy while in our care and at the time of adoption, we are not responsible for the health of a rabbit or any costs of veterinary or other care, once they leave our home.

 

 

 

*Please note, we reserve the right to cancel or refuse a sale/adoption for any reason.

*We are not-for-profit. Any and all adoption fees are reinvested into the care of our bunnies.