February is National Adopt a Rabbit Month

February- a time for love, a time for romance. It can also be the time for procrastinators to make good on their resolutions. It can be a time for winter blues. It can be a time to renew your library card.

Or... it can be a time to adopt a rabbit. Yes, a rabbit... February is National Adopt a Rabbit Month. How wonderful is that? So in preparation for the coming holiday of Easter, you can already have your home set and rabbit proofed (although I am not sure there actually is such a thing as completely rabbit proof.) Actually it is a super idea... rather than adopting or purchasing a rabbit as a gift for someone, by letting the person adopt a rabbit of his or her own choosing, then that assures a better match... a more permanent adoption. Less rabbits end up at shelters or worse this way. Yeah! February as National Adopt a Rabbit Month.

Reasons to adopt a rabbit this month- companionship

Rabbits not only get along with people... they also get along great with dogs and cats.

(Yes, I know your dogs and cats may not get along with the rabbit. That is why following proper integration techniques is so important. ) They are affectionate towards their family. They can adopt a person, just as a dog or cat can.

Reasons to adopt a rabbit this month- intelligence is its own reward

Rabbits can be litter boxed trained. However, as dogs and cats can be prone to spraying if unneutered, the same can be said for a rabbit. They need to be neutered. They can be overly affectionate. They can be intelligent enough to learn simple commands words.

Reasons to adopt a rabbit this month- fluffer- nutters

Okay, not really, but I really like that saying. Rabbits are beautiful. They are so fluffy. Some even are fluffy enough, that we affectionately call them Persian bunnies. (Remember I am involved with Persian Cat Rescue.)

Reasons to adopt a rabbit this month- saving lives

Bunnies have lives, too. By adopting from a rescue, you are actually saving two lives for the price of one. When you adopt a rabbit that will in turn free up space for the shelter or rescue you adopted from to rescue another rabbit. How wonderful is that. You will be paying it forward in a way.

So go ahead, look into rabbit rescue. Take a chance. Yes, they will need a cage and several other items to make the transition to your home safe and secure. Yet, given time, the rabbit or rabbits can have free reign of the home... and be a regular member of the family. My best friend has wanted a rabbit for years... I have always be against it because I thought the dogs would eat the rabbit. After doing some research and realizing that her dogs are not predatory, I am going to encourage her to give adoption a try.

Reasons to adopt a rabbit this month- return is always an option

Most reputable shelters and rescues have a return policy in place. They will take their animals back should for some reason the adoption not work out. Not only do you have a readily available person to ask questions about proper integration and possible problems. You will also have someone who knows which rabbit would fit best into your home.