Dr. Susan Kelleher, the owner of Broward Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital, knows bunnies. The “Rabbit expert” is an internationally recognized rabbit veterinarian who has lectured on rabbit medicine throughout the United States and England, and treats thousands of the adorable animals each year, with some driving halfway across Florida for state-of-the-art treatment and expert care. The aftermath of Easter brings the largest amounts of furry patients to her offices, and she wants to spread the message about these pets before the purchase is made.
The exotic veterinarian offers free, pre-purchase counseling for those looking to add a non-traditional pet to their households, including the dietary and husbandry needs of birds, rabbits, ferrets, exotic companion mammals, fish, invertebrates, primates, pot-bellied pigs and primates. This time of year, however, with the pets stores soon to be stocked with adorable bunnies, she offers up some helpful tips for would-be bunny pet owners.
1. Rabbits do make EXCELLENT house pets. They are intelligent, affectionate and they can be litterbox-trained like a cat. They are not, however, a “low maintenance” pet. They require very specific feeding regimens which include unlimited grass hay, limited amount of plain pellets and a salad - on a daily basis.
2. They can get sick suddenly and owners have to really be tuned in to rabbit behavior to understand that even the slightest change in behavioral habits can be a big red flag for these little animals. This is because in the wild they are prey animals and have adapted to hide their symptoms of illness.
3. Rabbits do need to be housed indoors. The Florida heat is too much for rabbits. There is also a risk of predation by wild animals and parasitic infections such as fleas and mange when they are housed outdoors. They can be accommodated indoors in bunny condos, pens, bunny proofed rooms or, for the really well behaved bunny – free run of the house.
4. They have a lifespan of 7-12 years. It is VERY common for us to see geriatric rabbits in our practice that are healthy and happy at 10, 11, 12 and even 14 years of age!
5. Adopt don’t shop! Before shopping for a pet rabbit, Dr. Kelleher advises adopting a rescue rabbit. She has worked extensively with rabbit rescue organizations for the past 18 years, and keeps an adoption pen in her waiting room where prospective families can meet a rescued rabbit born at the Fort Lauderdale Wildlife Care Center. Other places to adopt are the Broward County Humane Society and Pet Finder. All adopted rabbits are spayed and neutered. Rabbits are VERY social animals and enjoy the company of a companion, and many people bring their current bunnies to meet the prospective “adoptees.”
