Some potential very exciting news, along with some questions

I have some potentially very exciting news for you all. We are considering getting Willow a friend. At the moment it is just that, a consideration.

I will be getting a payrise in November which means I will be able to fund another bun, and due to a change in circumstances at home I'm going to be leaving Willow alone around three evenings a week. I don't feel it is fair for her to be alone so much, one of the reasons I've kept her as a lone bun all this time is because I am able to give her so much interaction on my part.

I also have a totally new and neutral room that I will be able to put the buns in (sister has moved out).

However, I do need to ask a few questions before I go any further with this, which I know you guys will be able to answer for me!

1) Willow is an unspayed doe. I know this can make her more prone to being temperamental/aggressive (believe me, sometimes I bear the brunt of it!) Obviously my first choice would be to go rescue to get her new friend. Would they rehome a bun to an unspayed doe or not even consider it? Willow can't be spayed due to her sensitivity to GA's and the vets just don't want to risk it, and I don't want to either with the chance of losing her much increased as it is.

2) Do all rescues offer a "bonding service" or is it only some? I do not feel confident to attempt the bonding process myself at all.

3) Do any of you know of any rescue centres around the Worcester/Hereford/Gloucester/Birmingham area who I can get in touch with about this?

There are solutions to leaving her alone (I can change my circumstances) even if getting her a pal is not possible, but I do think it would be nice for her. Nobody panic though, she won't be a "lonely bun" in any way, whatever happens!

I expect it would depend on the rescue - if they had a very laid-back, submissive boy they might be willing to give it a try. Especially if they were to do the bonding so could see for themselves how they were getting on. All decent rescues have a policy of taking back any buns they have rehomed, so you would not be 'stuck' with a bun if the bond broke down... as heartbreaking as it might be to consider giving somebunny back that you have bonded with.

A couple of very reputable rescues down your way:

Fat Fluffs in Solihull

Windwhistle down by Gloucester


Also here is the Rabbit Rehome rescue centre map thingy

Thank you Sparky

I have already had a look on Fat Fluffs. Will check out Windwhistle also.

I really need to consider this carefully before doing anything though. Another bun is a huge commitment.

They would be the 2 I would have mentioned as well. They are both quite reasonable sized rescues and have bonding services. It is a really good idea in Willow's case because it will be really important to get the right partner for her - so she may need to try multiple dates. I would contact them and explain why Willow can't be neutered and see what they say. As long as the buck has been done more than 6 weeks ago there should be no risks baby wise.

Thanks Cheryl.

I'm going to give it a bit of headspace before I make any rash decisions, and then if I decide to go ahead with it I'll get in touch with them both and see what their thoughts are regarding bonding etc.

I am just a bit worried that she's lived on her own her whole life and could be really difficult to bond

Bruce lived alone for 3 years. He would have been easier to bond with anybun but Flo! It was so worth it though.

I keep saying "I'll give it headspace" but the truth is I have been desperate to get a friend for Willow for ages, and only now circumstances have changed is Mum agreeing to it. The buns would have their own room and everything, it would be so lovely.

I know I can afford the other bun as well, have worked out monthly costs added etc.

Going to get in touch with both rescues tomorrow and see what they have to say

What was the problem she had with the GA (sorry, I'm not answering any of your questions, just going off on a tangent )

I only ask as first time I sent Esme for spaying, at my local vets, she stopped breathing under anaesthetic and it had to be reversed quickly, they didn't want to try again. I sought out a specialist and had her done there, without problem using a different anaesthetic. Sorry if you've covered all this and really don't want to try (which I completely understand as it scared the hell out of me), I just thought it was worth a thought, if you hadn't been there already, and that it might give you more options regarding a companion for her.

Hi Big Ears, exactly the same thing happened to Willow as you described to Esme. She stopped breathing and they had to quickly reverse it.

Whilst I have often considered the possibility of going to a small animal specialist (my vets are bunny savvy, but since I have two guinea pigs and two chinchillas also I did consider it), my vets are brilliant in their bedside manner and overall care of the animals. We have been with them for many many years and they have been excellent with every pet we've taken there (including small animals). They other bonus is that they are a five minute drive up the road, so in case of emergencies it is not far at all to drive, not to mention the fact less stressful a car journey overall.

I did think about asking the vets to try different methods of anaesthesia, however, as selfish as it sounds, it did scare the living daylights out of me and I really don't think I could put Willow or myself through it again.

She is also a carrier of Pasturella and they think there may be a link to her reaction and this also...

If the rescues won't consider her because she is not neutured I would totally understand their point of view, but I really would rather not risk it. That must sound terrible

FluffSlave wrote:I did think about asking the vets to try different methods of anaesthesia, however, as selfish as it sounds, it did scare the living daylights out of me and I really don't think I could put Willow or myself through it again.

She is also a carrier of Pasturella and they think there may be a link to her reaction and this also...If the rescues won't consider her because she is not neutured I would totally understand their point of view, but I really would rather not risk it. That must sound terrible

No, I absolutely get why you can't do it. I cried when I left Esme at the vets and all morning she was there I was wishing I hadn't left her and felt tempted to ring and cancel, I would have felt horrendous if anything had happened to her and never forgiven myself. She hasn't, to anybody's knowledge got any underlying risk factors, as you've found Willow has pasturella then she clearly does and that is a darn good reason for not pursuing it.

Given that you have a good reason for her not being spayed, I can't see why a rescue would turn you down. Like others have said, it should *hopefully* be just a case of finding the right buck. There's plenty of people who still don't routinely spay does as they think it's too big an operation. Kirkby Pet Welfare (can probably be found on the Rabbit Rehome database) don't spay does and they often have male/female pairs so it obvious does work with may unspayed does. My geography's not great but Kirkby, Nottinghamshire won't be a million miles from yourself? May be an good place to adopt from if others aren't keen.

I have been in touch with a volunteer doing Admin from Wind Whistle Warren and she has said that they will still consider Willow as she has medical reason for being unspayed, the bonding process just might be a little harder this way.

I've left them with my contact details and the owner of the rescue is going to be in touch when she gets a chance

Ooh, excited now!

Alice who runs Windwhistle is wonderful. If you read the descriptions of the rabbits on Rabbit Rehome you will see how well she knows the character of each rabbit.

Fantastic news. So, so exciting

I bet you can;t wait love, I am excited for you.

Hugs

JO xx