Adoption Process
- The adoption process starts with the prospective adopter submitting an adoption application.
- Once approved, applicants will be interviewed by phone or email by our Foster/Adoption Director.
- If the director(s) and the prospective adopter feel that adoption is right for everyone, the process passes to the foster person if applicable.
- Once an applicant is approved by all directors and foster people, we will schedule speed dates in the adopter’s and/or foster’s home if adopting a single rabbit. If adopting a pair or group, the Adoption Director will do a home visit to approve housing. Please use our checklist to ensure your home is ready for your new rabbit(s)
Our preferred adopter should have 1-2 years of previous house rabbit care experience or have done extensive research on proper care.
Our foster rabbits are in a network of foster homes throughout the Chicagoland area and all directors are volunteers with obligations outside of the rescue. Sometimes it can take a few weeks to coordinate everyone’s schedules for meet & greets and speed dates. Thank you for your patience.
Adoption Policies
Primary Caregiver. When a rabbit is adopted from HRS Chicago, the primary caregiver must be a responsible adult 25 years of age or older. The rabbit should be treated as an integral part of the family, i.e., no group ownership (such as a classroom pet). We do NOT adopt rabbits as pets for children.
Indoor Housing. Adopters of HRS rabbits must understand that our rabbits are to live as household companions. This means they should not go on excursions outside or into public unless it’s absolutely necessary. No cages or hutches are to be used unless left open 24/7, a 10ftx6ft space should be available at all times.
Social Requirements. We recommend that all rabbits be kept in neutered pairs or groups. Companionship is a welfare requirement 🙂
Neutering and Vaccinating. All resident rabbits must be neutered and current on vaccinations.
Returns. If there are such problems with the adopted rabbit that the adopter needs to return the rabbit, we ask that you give HRS some advance notice. Once an animal is adopted from HRS, the space vacated is usually filled within a week. We will need time to either facilitate an adoption or make space at a foster home. Nevertheless, all rabbits adopted from HRS Chicago must be returned to HRS Chicago in the event the adopter is no longer able to care for them.
Exchanges. HRS does not exchange animals. Exceptions may be made when:
The fosterer and adopter are working together on making a match between an adoptee and a pre-residing rabbit and a different match would be less stressful for the animals.
Adoption fees. HRS Chicago adoption fees are donations that cannot be refunded. We are a federally recognized tax-exempt, nonprofit organization. Donations made to us are no more refundable than they are to any other public charity.