It can be hard to decide between having someone come into your home while you are away or boarding your bun at someone else’s home or a facility. If your bunny stays home, will they get enough interaction, or will it get bored and lonely?  Will the trip to the pet boarding facility be traumatic? Will the smells and sounds of a strange house upset them? Both situations have pros and cons, but we have some considerations to help you decide on the best boarding situation.

Top priority: are they a rabbit expert?

Ensure the caregiver is an expert and understands the specific needs of your rabbit. Many pet sitters do not know the signs of illness or name emergency symptoms for lagomorphs like ours. Don’t feel bad about grilling any potential caretaker. If they are knowledgeable professionals, they will welcome the chance to put your mind at rest. They will even encourage you to ask more. They will overshare. They will bore you with details.  This is what you want!

Can they answer the following questions to your satisfaction?

• What RDHV biosecurity precautions do you take?

• Will your bunny be in his own room?

• Do they supply webcams so you can see your pet?

• Will your rabbit have human company? How much each day?  How much free roam time will they get?

• Are there any other animals in the house? What kinds? How are the spaces managed so the animals don’t scare or hurt each other?

• How often do they clean your baby’s area? How often do they clean her litter box?

Give examples of rabbit health emergencies and ask what they would do. For example, you might ask: 

• What is EC, and what are the signs? (Correct answer: muscle weakness in the hind end, oddly turned neck, lethargy, decreased appetite.)

• What are the signs of shock, and what would the pet sitter do?  (Correct answer: fast, shallow breathing, pale gums, possibly head thrown back, ears and paws cool to the touch.  Drop everything and go to the vet immediately.)

• What would the pet sitter do if your animal quit eating for one day? (Correct answer: try to call you at the first sign of not eating but get the animal to the vet NOW.)

• What are the signs of an EMERGENCY? (Correct answer:  open mouth or rapid breathing, not eating independently for 24 hours, shock, seizure, head tilt, discharge from nose or eyes, diarrhoea with listlessness.)

• Where would the pet sitter take your animal if an emergency occurred?  Is there a doctor there who specialises in exotics?

• Can your pet sitter do extra things, like clip nails or pick up fresh greens?

• Do you provide references or reviews? May we contact other customers with their permission?

Pay a personal visit

Ask to see the space where your animal will be at the pet boarding location or at the sitter’s home – don’t just take the pet sitter’s word for it. 

Bunnies don’t like change, so take their own pen, litter box, toys, hay, bowls…anything to make the temporary place feel and smell more like home. 

Help your baby move in. Get them settled. You know better than anyone where they want their water bowl and what corner the litter box should be.

Ask other bun parents

This is my favourite way to learn and make decisions for my crew. Asking other bun parents how they handle bun care when travelling without their rabbit is fun. I love sharing that information with others.

After you’ve received answers to all the above questions, you can find your bun friend’s perfect boarding situation. This means you can focus on your business trip or enjoy your vacation peacefully. There are great boarding places out there…take your time to find the right one.

Many rescues offer boarding to raise money for the rescue.

This is terrific for everyone: your bunny is with someone who knows their stuff, is associated with a rescue, and has a good network of help should trouble arise. Check with your local rabbit rescue to see if they offer boarding or have a recommended sitter list.

Written by Best4bunny writer, Jess Sullivan. Bunny mum, animal advocate and enthusiast.