What to do if you need go away …
Having to be away from home and leaving your rabbit in the care of someone else is a scary proposition for many of us. This file will help you to explore your options and will make some suggestions on how to go about it to hopefully make what can be a fraught and stressful time for both you and your rabbit, a little less so.
Please never, EVER, leave your rabbits at home unattended - even overnight.
How to Prepare For a Pet Sitter
How to Prepare For a Pet Sitter
These are some of the options to consider:
* Have a friend, family member or experienced/certified house-sitter come and stay at your house to care for your rabbit/s.
This website is a trusted one for house-sitters. Some list if they are experienced with and happy to care for animals: https://www.kiwihousesitters.co.nz/
* Check the list of sitters we have on file in Rabbit Advice and Support New Zealand - see link below. Unfortunately, boarding facilities/sitters are few and far between, and at busy times of the year - like Christmas and Easter, they are often fully booked many months ahead of time.
* Contact your vet - sometimes staff members board animals at home and some specialist clinics also offer boarding.
* Ask in Rabbit Advice and Support New Zealand to see if a member can help you. It is polite to offer to pay for their time and effort.
* If absolutely all else fails find a neighbour who can care for your rabbits - visiting at least twice a day. But, This is NOT a good option because rabbits can become unwell within hours and this may go un noticed if the visits are not often enough.
Screening your potential boarding facility/sitter:
* Arrange to visit the facility, just as you would inspect a cattery/kennels etc, or have the sitter - if they are staying at your house, visit ahead of time.
* The minimum set up a sitter should offer is a large hutch with an attached pen/run or an XL dog crate with attached pen/run. A smaller setup - an XL dog crate for example, might be adequate if the stay is only for a few nights but for any longer than that - a couple of weeks for example, a bigger set up is essential for the well being of your rabbit especially if it is used to having lots of space.
* What measures will be taken in extreme weather - to avoid heatstroke, hypothermia etc.
* All rabbits, both yours and the sitters (if they have them, or if there are other rabbits in care) should be vaccinated with Filavac 2 weeks prior to go into care.
* If your rabbit is boarding away from home, what arrangements does the sitter have for emergencies? Do they have a rabbit savvy vet on call?
* If you have sitter coming in, give them clear directions on what to do in an emergency.
* Does the sitter have a financial arrangement with their vet for treatment if needed? If not, can you register your credit card details with their vet in case of emergencies?
* What is their normal setup and cleaning schedule for litter boxes. Do you need/want to provide litter?
* What do they normally provide in regard to food? What are you expected to provide?
Some information that you should discuss with and provide for your sitter:
* Your contact information as well as 2 alternative contacts.
* Your regular vet’s contact information - it is advisable to register your credit card details with your vet in case your rabbit needs treatment.
* The emergency vet in the area’s contact details. It is advisable to register your credit card with them ahead of time as well.
* A list of any medication your rabbit is currently on and directions for giving them.
Some directions to leave with the sitter for the time you will be away:
* Ask that a daily health check be done - first thing in the morning, offer a favourite treat. If your rabbit refuses it, ask that you be called immediately.
* Please monitor poop. If there has been no poop overnight or throughout the day, ask that you be called immediately.
* If you can’t be reached - decided on what the sitter should do and leave directions.
* Give detailed information about what is normal for your rabbit - behaviour, habits, routines etc.
* If your rabbit is acting abnormally, ask that you be called immediately to assess.
* Give detailed instructions on your rabbit’s normal diet - Pellets, Greens, Hay, Water, Treats, Medication etc.
We have a list of Rabbit Sitters/Boarding facilities in the Bunny Sitters and Groomers section
Copyright 2019 Jen Herd/Westley’s World