Rabbit taken in the night - kids inconsolable

[stirling]

Hello,
Any advice appreciated. Bought kids a most adorable rabbit a year ago when their suffering as a result of their dad leaving was all too much.
They have loved her so intensely.
Last night the lid to her rabbit run (connected to her little house in the garden - all specially built for her by DP) was left open accidentally by him while he was repairing something. Needless to say she was gone this morning. I don't suspect she's wondered off because I tragically found some small clumps of fur in the run...

The kids (and I) have cried hard all morning, flitting between disbelief and real grief. I've held them both tight and let them cry it out on me and offered some hopeless words of... Can't call it consolation..

They're very subdued now.
Any suggestions? We're creating a little memorial place for her this weekend. My sister bought little notebooks to stick memories in...
Kids are 13 and 10
Thank you

This happened to our bunny . I've had rabbits for years, hutch seemed fine, something made a hole in the wire and took out or old mad rabbit

We knew she didn't have long and had prepped the kids (she was at least 9), but to lose her like that was horrible. We will never know what happened, although we can guess.

No great advice, but condolences

I'm really sorry. It's horrible and a shock. Perhaps plant a little bush or something in a corner to remember.

Thank you both...
ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs its slightly comforting to know that something could have gotten through the wire, that it could have happened even if my dp hadn't been so stupid.. A lot of blame going on here...

My DD school has guinea-pigs, the door was left open by a pupil and two escaped. DD was part of the rescue , they wedged themselves under a shrub for safety . IIRC they were out for 3 days (and guineas are far more fragile than rabbits)

Unfortunately the dry hot weather will mean that foxes get more desperate for food and braver. They will dig for earthworms but if the ground is rock solid they'll look for easy options . And they have cubs to feed.

Keep searching for her there's a chance she's hiding maybe wounded (prey animals will hide themselves and be very still) but as you say , it sounds like the fur in the run means she's been taken.

Aww that's sad

Different scenario but I found our old bunny dead in his hutch yesterday morning . DS2 (9) took it very badly. We're having him cremated in the morning and we've told DS he can choose a special pot and some plants and we'll make bunny a memorial

Thank you for the replies...
Sorry to hear about your rabbit too dontknowwhattodo80, it's so sad for the kids..

Aww they’ll bounce back. I remember when I was about ten our cat was run over and put to sleep. My heart was breaking and I thought I’d never get over it. But I did. Took maybe a couple of weeks to stop feeling so raw.

So sorry to hear about your rabbit. I've had the same issue on Wednesday, broad daylight, rabbits (girl and boy) were inside hutch, in shed. My boy had them inside on Tuesday night, and Wednesday morning, put them back in their hutch, but left the shed door open. I had a meeting, so left about 11:00 and did not come back until 2:30, I went to check on them, and the bolt was ripped off the hutch. We found alot of fur and two feet😢. The girl was lucky enough to run inside a car part. I don't know what to do for her.

How upsetting

Nicolabuff1, first thing is to secure your rabbits' accommodation, repair and fox proof. Remember foxes can dig so welded mesh everywhere; strong bolts with a padlock, etc. Some ideas and help here:

forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/forumdisplay.php?58-Housing

Can your girl live indoors in the meantime? She'll be stressed and lonely so she needs a calm space but also company.

Then hopefully you can ask a rescue about a new friend for her.

Thank you DisplayPurposesOnly. I have the girl inside, ordered an indoor hutch as my son wants her as indoors during the winter. My fault as I should have closed the shed. We will fix the hutch and bring it closer to the house as we have another shed. My son is getting there, he won't let the girl out of his sight.

Aw, I'd be devastated. Lots of advice on Rabbit Rehome about keeping rabbits indoors if you need it. They still need lots of space and their own 'safe space'.

Also learn to never ever walk backwards without checking first!

Wire proofing is essential (they can electrocute themselves). Hay gets everywhere. Soft furnishings are a magnet. Other than that, it's fun

Maybe a chance someone has found it in their garden though? Is it worth putting up a few posters ir asking around? Or is it definitely gone gone? Sorry either way.

I don't think he would've got away, fur everywhere plus a foot.😭.

It's sad but they will get over it. We had some pet tragedies in our time. Grieve but try not to wallow too much. You may find they get over it quicker than you. Your grief may be made worse by feeling sad for them, if that makes any sense.

Thank you all,. I will get over it,. I think it's guilt more than grief for me. We are giving the girl rabbit(misty) lots of love and attention, she is very angry ATM, but slowly coming round

My son is getting over it quicker than me