Adopt a bunny!
Interested in adopting a bunny? Here’s how to get started!
We’d love to help you find the newest member of your family. Sunshine Rabbit Center adopts rabbits to safe homes with bunny-savvy humans. It’s ok if you’re still learning. We’re here to help!
Check out our Petfinder page for a list of our current adoptable rabbits! All of our bunnies are rescues. They come from rocky beginnings but now they’re looking for someone like you to help them feel safe and loved. New bunnies are coming to the rescue all the time, so we encourage you to visit Sunshine to meet our available buns and see who captures your heart. You are welcome to stop in any time during our open hours, Thursday - Sunday, 11:00 - 5:00. Just let our staff know you’re interested in adopting
Note: We don’t adopt out baby rabbits, unfixed rabbits, or rabbits given as gifts to individuals who may not be prepared for rabbit care. Bunnies are the cutest but they are also a lot of work!
How to adopt a bunny from Sunshine Rabbit Center:
1. Come meet the rabbits! Stop by any time during our open hours (Thursday - Sunday, 11:00 - 5:00) to meet our current adoptable bunnies. Time and space permitting, we’ll set up a spot where you can sit with different rabbits you might adopt. If you want to be sure you’ll have a chance to sit with the buns, contact us at (562) 231 7116 or contact@sunshinerabbit.org.
2. Fill out our online adoption application. We’ll send you an email in roughly 2-3 days letting you know we’ve received your application and reaching out with any follow-up questions.
3. Send photos of your setup. Next we’ll ask you to email us photos of the area where you’ll be keeping your rabbit. The House Rabbit Society has helpful information about safe setups for domestic rabbits. We sell all the items you will need at accessible prices in our shop, but you’re also welcome to purchase your items wherever you prefer.
4. Take your new family member home! Once you’re approved to adopt, you’ll fill out your adoption paperwork, pay an adoption fee, and bring your bunny back to their safe, happy home.
What does adopting a bunny cost and what does it include?
Our adoption fee is $110 for a solo rabbit and $160 for a bonded pair. If you’re thinking of adopting, there’s no fee to apply or to visit the rabbits. All adoptable rabbits are adults or adolescents who have been spayed/neutered (fixed), vaccinated against RHDV2, and assessed by a vet. If you bring a single bunny for matchmaking and bond at Sunshine, we waive the adoption fee. And if you participate in “Veg with Bunnies,” you can put your donation toward the cost of adoption.
The adoption fee you pay at a non-profit rescue (like us!) may sound a little high, but adopting from Sunshine actually saves you a lot of money, compared to buying a rabbit from a breeder or even getting a baby bunny from a flea market. Bunnies from breeders and flea markets aren’t spayed/neutered or vaccinated, and the cost of the surgery plus the RHDV2 vaccinate can be between $500 - $1,500 here in Southern California.
At Sunshine, your adoption fee also includes ongoing support, education, and community. Our adopters are our family for life. We offer services like grooming, boarding, affordable supplies, bunny socials, and educational talks. We love it when our adopters stop by with new questions and updates. We love our bunny families just like we love our bunnies!
How to know if adopting a bunny is right for you:
The Sunshine staff and volunteers are always happy to talk with you about rabbit care and what to expect when you bring a bunny into your home. Bunnies are wonderful pets and they all have unique personalities. But they do require lots of care and attention. Here are some things that are good to know:
Our bunnies are primarily indoor rabbits who thrive in temperature controlled spaces they share with humans. Instead of a backyard hutch or a garage, think of a family living room or home office.
The average life span for a healthy indoor rabbit is 8-12 years. We’ve seen buns live up to 15! That’s great news, because it means your bunny will be around a long time, but it’s also a big commitment.
Bunnies are prey animals, so they need to feel safe. They do best in a calm environment without a lot of loud noises. Bunnies can live happily in households with small children or other pets, but they need to be introduced slowly so that everyone in the house - humans and animals! - can interact with the bunny safely.
Bunnies look cuddly but they don’t always love cuddles. Lots of rabbits enjoy gentle pets from humans but most don’t like being picked up or carried. Bunnies feel most comfortable when they can keep all four feet on the ground.
Rabbits need to see “exotic vets,” so their medical bills can be high. Sometimes finding a rabbit-savvy vet is challenging. If you live in the Long Beach, Los Angeles, or Orange County areas, see our list of nearby vets that offer rabbit care services like spay/neuter and RHDV2 vaccination.
What to learn more about adopting a rabbit?
Feel free to get in touch if you have questions about adopting. You can reach us by email at contact@sunshinerabbit.org or by DM on Instagram at @sunshine_rabbit_center
