Hold on a Little Longer — No Lifelong Regrets
"A little more persistence can spare you a lifetime of regret."
A Common Problem Repeated
Let's start by admitting something honestly — this isn't the first or second time this issue has come up. It's a recurring problem that seems to appear online every now and then. The story is almost always the same: regret and pleas for help after someone hastily rehomes their pet rabbit.
The Pattern We've Seen Too Often
If you spend time in online pet communities, you've surely seen posts like these: "Urgent! Urgent! I adopted out my rabbit to someone named XXX, but they've disappeared — can anyone find them?" or "Please watch out for this account XXXX, they might have abused the rabbit I gave them!"
Sometimes the messages are desperate cries for help: "XXX adopted my bunny but has been taking terrible care of it. How can I get it back?" The cycle repeats again and again, leaving behind guilt, anger, and heartbreak for both humans and animals.
Think Twice, Act Kindly
Before giving up a pet or agreeing to an adoption, take a deep breath and think carefully. A few extra checks or a bit more patience can prevent regret later on. Pets are not disposable—they depend on our consistency and compassion. When we choose to be responsible, we make the world safer for them and lighter for ourselves.
More persistence today means fewer regrets tomorrow.
Why This Phenomenon Persists: Pet Adoptions Online
On the internet, countless individuals post about rehoming their pets. Apart from a small number of experienced private fosterers or professionals, most people offering pets for adoption—especially rabbits—are doing it for the first time or have very little prior experience.
During the process of interacting with potential adopters, many of these senders become anxious that their rabbits might not find a home soon. Out of fear or impatience, they often relax their adoption requirements, or allow themselves to be swayed by the adopter's requests. As a result, the written adoption conditions may look detailed and stringent, but in practice, they are rarely enforced.
In many cases, even basic procedures—such as verifying IDs or requiring a signed adoption agreement—are overlooked. Some people simply hand over the rabbit without proper checks or documentation. Only later, when something goes wrong, do they realize the severity of the situation. They may discover that they gave the rabbit to an unsuitable person, can no longer reach the adopter, or cannot track the pet's wellbeing at all.
In the most shocking cases, the adopter may even end up in the news for repeatedly abusing or killing animals. By then, it's too late—the original senders can only turn to the internet in desperation, posting pleas for help and regretting their earlier negligence.
The Importance of Signing Foster Agreements for Rabbits
Signing a foster or adoption agreement is the most basic and essential practice when rehoming a rabbit. It ensures that both parties—the original owner and the adopter—understand their responsibilities clearly. Every fosterer should insist on completing this step properly to protect the welfare of the rabbit.
Some fosterers are confident in their ability to assess people through interviews or intuition, and that's wonderful. However, not everyone has this skill, and some may overestimate their judgment. That's why adhering to a structured checklist is so important—the inspection process itself serves as a valuable screening mechanism.
Below are the essential items every fosterer should insist on:
- Adopter's original ID card (to confirm their identity).
- A signed written agreement outlining the mutual commitments of both parties.
- The adopter must personally hand over all required documents.
- A photo showing both the giver and receiver together.
- Audio or video recording of the entire handover process.
- An agreement to complete the microchip registration for the rabbit.
By following these procedures, both sides can feel secure and accountable, ensuring the rabbit enters a responsible and loving home.
The Importance of Verifying an Adopter's ID
During the private rehoming process of rabbits, you will inevitably encounter adopters who refuse to let you verify or record their identification card. They often give various excuses — claiming they forgot to bring it on adoption day, wanting to use a health insurance card or driver's license instead, or saying they'll provide it later.
But remember this firmly: no matter what their reason is — concerns about privacy, fear of identity theft, forgetting, offering to use a partner's ID, or promising to show it later — if the adopter refuses to present their official ID at the time of adoption, you must either refuse the adoption or reschedule the appointment.
The moment you give in out of kindness or hesitation, what follows is almost always regret and heartbreak after the rabbit has been rehomed. Protect yourself and the animal by insisting on ID verification every single time.
Adoption Rules and Identity Verification
For example, according to the regulations of the Rabbit Lovers Association, no matter how excellent an adopter's qualifications are or how well-written their application may be, they will be rejected immediately if they refuse to present their personal identification during the interview or when receiving the rabbit. No exceptions are given.
The very first step in the adoption process is to verify the applicant's identity by checking their official ID. This policy ensures that every adoption is transparent and responsible, protecting both the animals and the volunteers involved.
Adoption Agreement: A Clear Protection for Both Parties
A well-written adoption agreement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the adopter and the giver is extremely important. No matter the reason, neither party should refuse to sign. There is no fixed format for such an agreement — as long as both sides understand and agree to the terms, it is considered valid.
However, one rule must be strictly followed: the pet should only be handed over after the agreement has been signed. It's worth repeating — sign first, then transfer the pet! This ensures that both sides are fully aware of their obligations and helps prevent future disputes.
Taking the Rabbit Lovers Association as an example: on the day of adoption, the adopter must personally complete the adoption agreement themselves. Only after all formalities are finalized will the pet be officially handed over. The association also performs additional procedures such as microchip implantation and pet registration to secure the animal's identity and safety.
In short, having a clear, written statement that defines the rights and duties of both sides in the adoption process is absolutely essential. It protects not only the welfare of the pet but also the mutual trust between the adopter and the giver.
Adoption Requirement: Adopter's Personal Attendance
When handing over the rabbit, the adopter must be present in person. Please make sure that the individual named on the commitment form personally attends on the day of adoption. Do not accept substitutes such as boyfriends, girlfriends, fiancés, parents, or even children.
We ask that you insist the actual adopter ("the person themselves") be the one who comes to collect the rabbit. If the adopter is unwilling to appear in person, regardless of the reason, the adoption should not proceed under any circumstances.
Personal attendance shows responsibility and sincerity. If someone cannot take time to meet their new companion in person, it likely means they are not ready to become a caring and committed adopter.
Recording During Meetings and Adoptions
In today's digital age, basic recording tools are easily accessible to everyone. Whether it's a video or voice recording, documenting the communication process between both parties during a rabbit adoption is extremely important.
Recording—whether by video or audio—protects the rights and interests of both sides. There is no need for hidden or secret recordings. The person giving up the rabbit can openly inform the adopter that the process will be recorded as a form of "mutual protection."
When both parties each keep a copy of the recording, most reasonable people will have no objection. Remember, transparency and honesty go a long way. Simply explain the purpose of the recording in advance, ensure both parties agree, and keep one copy each afterward. This approach safeguards everyone's interests with respect and trust.
The Importance of Taking Pet Handover Photos
On the day a pet is adopted or rehomed, taking group photos of both the giver and the receiver, together with the animal, is an important step that should not be overlooked. Capturing multiple shots from different angles or even continuous shots can only be beneficial—there is no downside to having more photo documentation.
These photos clearly record who is handing over which animal to whom. The original photo files may also include crucial data such as the date, time, and location (thanks to the GPS features built into most smartphones). When multiple photos are taken, they can also document the pet's physical condition and appearance at the time of the handover.
In effect, photos showing both the giver, the adopter, and the rabbit serve as proof of mutual intent to complete the transfer. Such records are important not just for memories, but also as legal evidence of consent in the adoption process.
Complete Microchip Registration for Your Pet Rabbit
If possible, please help your pet complete its microchip registration. Thanks to years of effort by the Rabbit Lovers Association, pet rabbits no longer need to receive a mandatory rabies vaccination in order to be microchipped. This change makes it much easier to officially register your furry companion.
We strongly recommend that the current caretaker completes the pet's registration before adoption. By doing so, your rabbit becomes your legally recognized property, giving you the right to manage and transfer ownership in a protected way.
In the adoption contract, you may also set an "observation period". During this time, the microchip remains under your name until the period is successfully completed. Only after that should you transfer the microchip information to the new owner. This approach helps prevent unfortunate situations where the pet might be taken and cannot be retrieved if any issues arise.
This simple step protects both parties. If disputes occur during the observation period, having legal ownership allows you to request police assistance to visit the new owner and recover your pet if necessary.
Currently, the Rabbit Lovers Association offers assistance with pet microchip registration. You and the adopter can arrange a visit there to complete the process together. Giving your bunny a proper microchip registration adds an extra layer of safety and security.
Help your rabbit complete microchip registration—one small action for a much stronger sense of protection.
Facing Doubts Without Retreating: The Principle of Pet Adoption
In the process of pet adoption or rehoming, both parties must build the relationship on a foundation of mutual understanding and willingness. Adoption should never be forced or rushed; it works best when both sides genuinely want what's best for the animal.
Sometimes, people giving pets up for adoption face various doubts or complaints from potential adopters—such as saying the process is too troublesome or refusing to provide certain personal information. When this happens, the best approach is to respond with patience and calmness. By explaining the reasons behind each requirement in a gentle and reasonable tone, most people can understand and accept your perspective.
It's crucial not to abandon your principles for the sake of saving face or avoiding ridicule. Each step in the adoption process exists for a reason—skipping or compromising on any of them can lead to future regret or unnecessary trouble. Staying firm, patient, and transparent is the key to ensuring a safe and smooth transition for both the pet and the adopter.
Protecting Your Bunny: The Only Time You Truly Can
There's only one moment when you can truly protect your bunny — and that's now. You must understand that society's reality is often brutally harsh: once you give a pet away, you lose all control over its future. The moment the adoption is completed, your ability to make decisions for the pet becomes permanently passive.
If there is no proper documentation — such as identification, agreements, or official pet registration — any future dispute can only be resolved through legal action. And court battles are not only time-consuming and exhausting, but winning them and regaining custody is far from guaranteed.
So please understand this: the only time you can protect your bunny is right now, before you give it away. Don't let a moment of softness or hesitation cause lifelong regret. If the small animal you once lovingly cared for were to be harmed or even lose its life because you didn't insist on proper arrangements, the guilt and sadness would stay with you forever.
Always remember — the law stands by evidence, not justice.
Think Before You Give Away a Pet
If you won't listen, don't seek sympathy later.
The explanations above have already made it very clear—there are consequences, both right and wrong, to how you handle pet adoption. When someone gives away an animal, such as a rabbit, without following proper procedures or understanding the risks, they aren't just being careless—they're putting a life in danger.
If, after being warned and advised, a person still chooses to give a pet away recklessly, then they have to take responsibility for the outcome. When tragedy strikes, it's unfair to go online and seek comfort or sympathy from others. By ignoring the process, you've become—not intentionally, perhaps—but still a partner in pushing that little one into harm's way.
Adoption isn't just about finding a "new home." It's about making sure that home is safe, stable, and responsible. Compassion must come with caution, and kindness must be guided by wisdom. Otherwise, what starts as a good intention can become an irreversible mistake.
Support Our Animal Welfare Column
Do you enjoy our animal welfare column? Each article carries the positive energy of spreading compassion and awareness for animals. Through thoughtful, in-depth reading, we can prevent misinformation and encourage a clearer understanding of animal protection.
Your support inspires us to keep producing meaningful, high-quality content. If you appreciate our work and believe in our mission, please consider contributing any amount to sustain this column.
