For Those with No Experience: A Guide to Helping Abandoned Rabbits
This article is written for the general public—especially those who are not familiar with pet rabbits or part of the "bunny parent" community. It addresses how to respond when you unexpectedly encounter an abandoned rabbit.
Inside, you'll find practical advice and steps you can take to help. The goal is to make it easier for more people to act quickly and compassionately when they come across a stray or neglected rabbit.
By sharing this information, we hope to inspire more kind-hearted individuals to step in and help so that every abandoned rabbit has a chance to find a new, loving home.
What to Do When You Find an Abandoned Rabbit
Before we begin: When you come across a rabbit that seems to have been abandoned without an owner, contacting an animal welfare organization for shelter is certainly one option. However, it's important to understand the practical realities behind such cases.
The Rabbit Loving Association has been operating beyond capacity for quite some time. Even though volunteers work around the clock to handle cases, it's simply impossible to manage the nearly ten thousand reports received across Taiwan every year. At present, the association must prioritize using its limited resources to provide urgent aid for cases involving severe injuries, abuse, or other special circumstances.
Therefore, for most cases involving found rabbits, citizens should be mentally prepared to handle or assist in handling the situation themselves. The association's approximately 150 shelter spaces across northern and southern Taiwan have long been full, and each year they still take in nearly 200 rabbits over their limit. It's just not possible to respond to every report.
So then… what should you do if you find a rabbit by the roadside that appears to have been abandoned?
How to Safely Rescue an Abandoned Pet Rabbit
If you come across a rabbit that appears to have been abandoned in the countryside or any other area, please take immediate action to ensure its safety. Abandoned pet rabbits are vulnerable to attacks or harm from stray cats, wild dogs, homeless individuals, or even careless children.
Try to gently catch the rabbit and move it to a safe location—such as placing it inside a cardboard box or holding it securely and calmly in your arms. If you're unable to catch it, at least keep an eye on the rabbit and make sure it stays within a confined area so it doesn't run away again.
Next, promptly report the situation to your local animal protection authorities, such as the Animal Protection Office or the Animal Disease Control Center. You may also contact emergency hotlines or dedicated service lines. In Taiwan, you can call the 1999 hotline for assistance.
When contacting officials—such as the animal control center, police, or fire department—inform them that you've found an abandoned pet rabbit that needs to be rescued. Stay at the scene and wait for officials to arrive so they can safely capture and care for the animal.
Confirming if a Rabbit Is Lost or Just Out to Play
When you first come across a rabbit in a public area, it's often difficult to tell if it's lost or simply out for some supervised playtime. During the initial waiting period, try calling out, "Whose rabbit is this?" to attract the attention of a possible owner, or observe whether anyone nearby seems to be searching for a missing rabbit.
If the encounter takes place in a tourist spot, an enclosed indoor area, or a venue with staff—such as an exhibition hall—ask a companion or passerby to notify the manager or staff member. They can make an announcement to help locate the owner.
From past experiences, some overly confident rabbit owners tend to let their pets roam freely outdoors, assuming it's safe to do so (which is not recommended). Taking a few extra moments to confirm the situation on-site can often help the owner quickly reclaim their rabbit.
How to Seek Help When Rescuing Abandoned Rabbits
If you are unable to catch the rabbit, please contact the appropriate support unit for assistance. In situations where the rabbit is found in an open area, complex thickets, wilderness, valleys, or near creeks, it may be difficult for local animal protection officers or emergency responders to conduct an immediate rescue on site.
In such cases, you can provide the following information to the Rabbit Lovers Association:
- Photos of the rabbit
- Detailed location of the sighting
- Approximate area or direction where the rabbit appears
The association may then post a notice seeking nearby rabbit enthusiasts or locals familiar with the terrain to continue searching for the rabbit when convenient.
When Rescue Personnel Arrive
If the rescue personnel you contacted (such as animal protection officers, police, or firefighters) arrive at the scene, be sure to assist or participate in the rescue operation. Rescue actions often attract the attention of nearby residents or cause a small commotion. If the rabbit was merely lost due to the owner's momentary carelessness, this can help the owner quickly reclaim their pet.
However, if no owner shows up after some time, you may temporarily bring the rabbit home to care for it.
Show Appreciation
Finally, regardless of whether the rescue succeeds, please make sure to express your gratitude to the units that provided assistance. This is very important. Even if there were mishaps or unpleasant experiences during communication or the rescue process, you should still thank the support personnel for their efforts.
Emergency Foster Care for Abandoned Rabbits
If you decide to bring home and temporarily care for an abandoned rabbit, please be assured that doing so won't take up much space or cost you much. Taking the rabbit in right away will help protect it from stray cats, dogs, or even potential harm from people on the streets.
Don't worry if you don't have any rabbit care equipment. You can set up a temporary home using a large storage bin or a sturdy cardboard box (many convenience or grocery stores will gladly provide one). Add a few clean green vegetables to help the rabbit regain some strength — most households don't usually have hay, and that's perfectly fine for a short-term stay.
Keeping the rabbit indoors, even temporarily, is far safer than leaving it outside. Your quick action could make the difference between danger and safety for an abandoned bunny in need.
How to Get Supplies for a Rescued or Abandoned Rabbit
If you've taken in a rabbit that's been abandoned or needs care, start by taking a clear photo of the rabbit and sending it to an animal welfare organization or rescue group you know and trust. Let them know that you have a rabbit in need of help.
These nonprofit groups are usually willing to provide rescuers with essential supplies such as a rabbit hutch, basic furniture, and daily necessities. This will help your rabbit have a temporary yet comfortable little home until proper arrangements can be made.
While waiting for supplies to arrive, you can visit a nearby pet store to purchase an inexpensive pack of hay and rabbit pellets for emergency use. A small dish of water will temporarily meet the rabbit's hydration needs—just make sure to check and refill it regularly in case it gets knocked over and to keep it clean.
If you have some extra time and energy, consider looking up basic rabbit care information online. Learning about pet rabbit behavior, diet, and living conditions will help you gain valuable knowledge and make your new furry friend's life much happier.
What to Do If an Abandoned Rabbit Needs Medical Care
If you find an abandoned rabbit that appears to need medical attention—such as having visible wounds, skin disease, or other obvious health problems—please do not take it to a general veterinary clinic that only treats cats and dogs. Rabbits require specialized care, and only veterinarians trained in rabbit medicine can provide an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Please bring the rabbit to an animal hospital with a professional rabbit specialist for a thorough checkup. In general, the cost of a basic health examination is around 500 NTD, which is usually affordable for most people. However, if the rabbit's condition is serious and requires additional procedures such as blood analysis or X-rays, the expenses may be higher.
Caring for a Foster Rabbit at Home
Learning to provide short-term care for a pet rabbit isn't difficult, even if you have no prior experience. Just remember a few simple guidelines: always keep fresh hay available, feed one tablespoon of pellets in the morning and evening, ensure a constant supply of clean water, and let the rabbit run and hop around occasionally for exercise.
Following these principles is usually enough to keep your rabbit happy and healthy. Of course, if you'd like to take this opportunity to learn more about rabbit care, that's even better! You can find plenty of useful information on the Rabbit Society's website.
Finding a New Home for an Abandoned Rabbit
After several days of proper care, the rabbit you rescued should now be in a relatively stable condition. At this point, you can start thinking about helping your furry friend find a loving new home. If you're able to personally see the adoption through, that would be the best possible outcome for both you and the rabbit.
Ways to Find a Suitable Adopter
There are several methods you can try to connect your rabbit with a good new owner:
- Reach out to local animal welfare groups or rabbit rescue organizations.
- Post adoption information on verified pet adoption websites.
- Share about the rabbit on social media to find responsible pet lovers among your community.
- Ask trusted friends or family members if they're interested in adopting.
With patience and care, you'll increase the chances of finding the perfect home where your rescued rabbit can live happily and healthily.
1. Posting Rabbit Adoption Notices at Animal Hospitals
You can prepare several A4-sized adoption or rehoming sheets for rabbits, including photos and contact information. Take them to animal hospitals near your home or to clinics you know well, and ask to post them on their notice boards.
Most animal hospitals are willing to provide posting space for free, making this a great way to reach potential adopters. To increase your chances of finding your rabbits a good home, try visiting several hospitals—including those that primarily treat dogs and cats. The more places you post, the higher your chance of success.
2. Online Rabbit Adoption Listings
In addition to creating physical adoption posters, you can also share your rabbit's adoption information online. There are many online communities and groups dedicated to helping rehome abandoned rabbits. You can directly post adoption notices or look for volunteers who are willing to temporarily foster a rabbit. Best of all, these services are completely free of charge!
Posting online is a quick and effective way to help your rabbit find a loving new home. Make sure to include clear photos, details about the rabbit's health and temperament, and any specific needs it may have. With thoughtful preparation, you'll increase the chances of matching your bunny with the right adopter.
3. Register for the Bunny Adoption Fair
The Bunny Lovers Association organizes loving adoption fairs almost every month, providing opportunities for the public and individual foster caregivers to register their rabbits for adoption. To bring your bunny to the event, all you need are your personal identification documents and your rabbit.
Experience shows that rabbits have a high success rate of finding new homes through these adoption events. Friendly volunteers on-site will assist with adoption agreements and registration forms, ensuring that each adoption is properly documented. The adoption agreement also provides an added layer of protection and security for the rabbits, helping them transition into safe, caring new homes.
4. Seeking Paid Placement for Abandoned Rabbits
Even though the support channels mentioned above already exist, some people may still prefer a simpler, more direct solution. Instead of managing the process themselves, they might just want to find a single place that can take care of everything.
In such cases, you can reach out to animal protection organizations you know or trust, experienced rabbit owners, or local animal hospitals to ask if they provide this type of service.
For paid placement services, there is usually a fee involved — typically covering spaying or neutering, as well as ongoing care and maintenance costs.
Reaching a Family Consensus on Rehoming Your Rabbit
Before proceeding with your plan to rehome or surrender your rabbit, it's important to communicate openly with the people you live with — whether it's your parents, spouse, or other family members. Let them know about your intentions and the specific steps you plan to take.
Most family members are willing to understand and support you once they see that you have a clear and responsible plan for the rabbit's future. In the past, one of the main reasons families or relatives opposed such rescue or rehoming decisions was the lack of planning — not knowing how long care would take or what the next steps were.
When you demonstrate that you have a definite timeline, proper arrangements, and clear reasoning, paired with sincere communication, your family is far more likely to stand behind your decision. A well-prepared plan not only earns understanding but also makes the entire rehoming process smoother and more compassionate for everyone involved.
Believe in Yourself — Every Rescue Matters
Please believe that you can do it. If you have carefully read through the information above and sincerely integrated the shared resources, then give yourself more confidence. By following the steps outlined and putting them into practice, most abandoned rabbits can find a new home or a long-term foster family within about six months— sometimes even sooner.
Of course, it would be even more wonderful if you choose to adopt the bunny yourself and welcome this serendipitous companion into your life. Becoming their devoted caretaker is a beautiful act of kindness that will change both of your stories.
Your rescue journey and the story of this rabbit will have a powerful impact in the future, inspiring others to care, act, and make a difference in the lives of animals in need.
Every small act of compassion creates ripples of hope.
Guidelines for Helping Abandoned Rabbits
When an abandoned rabbit is taken in by another public agency—such as a police station or fire department—rather than a city or county animal protection office, it is usually kept temporarily at the agency for about 1 to 3 days.
During this short period, you can assist by quickly posting the information and photos of the rabbit on online community platforms. This helps reach people who are able and willing to provide proper care and potentially adopt the rabbit.
If the rabbit is later transferred to a city or county-level public animal shelter, the case will follow the regulations of the Animal Protection Act. A 12-day public announcement will be made for the original owner to come forward. Only the previous owner—who must provide proof such as photos showing daily life with the rabbit—will be eligible to reclaim it during this time.
Once this announcement period ends, the rabbit will then be open for public adoption. As the person who reported the case, you may visit the shelter, take photos, and help share adoption information.
If you are concerned about the care quality at the shelter, you may also choose to adopt the rabbit directly yourself and then arrange for rehoming through private adoption channels.
