1. Before Bonding
1.1. 1. Before you bond your bunny, they must be spayed and neutered
1.2. 2. Bring rabbit to vet to make sure they are disease and parasite free, in good health, and their vaccinations are up to date
1.3. 3. Make an appointment with one of the bonding counsellors for their very first date at the Rabbit Centre.
2. Preparations for Bonding
2.1. 4. Make sure you have a designated neutral space
2.2. 5. Create two exercise pens/habitats side by side, with enough space in between so that the bunnies cannot touch one another. Each expercise pen/habitat has:
2.2.1. 1 water bowl
2.2.2. 1 litter box
2.2.3. 1 food bowl
2.2.4. 1 hiddey house
2.2.5. 1 set of toys
2.2.6. 1 set of bedding
2.2.7. Tip! Cover floor with cardboard, painters drop cloth or cheap area rug to protect from poop wars!
3. Initial Meeting
3.1. 6. Bring your bunny to the centre on their appointment date in a carrier that is big enough for 2 bunnies
3.2. 7. With the assistance of the bunny-bonding coordinator, your bunny will go on a series of speed dates
3.3. 8. Determine the bunny's chosen mate
3.4. 9. Put both of the bunnies in the carriers and bring them home, making sure they don't fight in the carrier
4. Actual Bonding
4.1. 10. After car ride home, if things are going well, put rabbits in neutral territory right away
4.1.1. Is the date going well?
4.1.1.1. Let the date continue as long as possible
4.1.2. Are things starting off rocky?
4.1.2.1. Finish the date using bunny magic and take note to start the dates at 15 minutes
4.2. 11. Every day, make sure to SWAP the bunnies in the opposite habitat
4.3. 13. Every day, bring your bunnies out to exercise, taking turns between each bunny until they are bonded (note: DO NOT BOND IN EXERCISE AREA)
4.4. 12. If possible, do a date every day but if you're busy and stressed, don't do the date.
4.4.1. Make sure there is food at every date!
4.4.2. Depending on Bunny's relationships, Do two 15 minute dates/day, OR 1x 30 minute date OR a long marathon session
4.4.3. Depending on Bunny's relationships, Do two 15 minute dates/day, OR 1x 30 minute date OR a long marathon session
4.4.3.1. Perform BUNNY MAGIC at least 3x during the date, and whenever there is a grooming stand off
4.4.3.1.1. 1. Once at the beginning of the date
4.4.3.1.2. 2. Whenever both buns put their heads down to request grooming but neither one is initiating
4.4.3.1.3. 3. Once in the middle of the date (ie both buns are tired after a round of chasing)
4.4.3.1.4. 4. Once at the closing of the date
5. Info & Trouble Shooting
5.1. The most important word in Bonding: PATIENCE
5.1.1. Pick Partners Carefully
5.1.2. Abandon All Expectations
5.1.3. Time Sessions Religiously
5.1.4. Interaction Does Not Equal Proximity
5.1.5. Evaluate Interactions Frequently
5.1.6. Neutral Territory Matters
5.1.7. Caution Rather Than Risk
5.1.8. End Encounters Promptly and on a Good Note!
5.2. Rabbit Behaviour
5.2.1. Rabbit Behaviour Cheat Sheet