A second rabbit

[Elliesmall]

We have one male rabbit who is neutered. He’s always been by himself. We’d like to get him a friend. What’s the best way? All the rabbits for rescue seem to be males or non neutered females. Can I get a baby female rabbit and then introduce them or do they need to be kept separate until she’s old enough to be neutered?
Our boy bun is free roam so I wouldn’t want to keep either in too small a space.

Neutered female.

I got a baby female to go with my boy when he was 2 and already neutered (there had been a previous girl but she had died). He took one look at the girl, humped her and ten years later they are still in love. They were never kept separately and have always chosen to stay pretty close to each other (they free ranged through the house when they were younger, and are currently snuggled up together in their pen as they are too old and blind to cope with freedom now). The baby girl was neutered when she was about 6 months old but as the boy was already done this wasn't a problem.

If your boy is already older though, it might be worth getting a female closer in age - otherwise you will end up in a never ending cycle of replacement bunnies. If she hasn't been neutered but is old enough to be, I would sort that out asap because ovarian cancer is a big killer among does.

However, I've heard it can be tricky for older bunnies to bond, so you would have to be prepared to have separate spaces for a while and introduce them to each other slowly - though that may not prove necessary if they fall in insta-love.

The rabbit rescues I know of neuter before adoption. Could you say which area or county you are in?

Ahhhh,
Get him a wife from a rescue!
I did it the other way round - I had a female and got her neutered male.
She hated him at first. They are getting old now but they love each other so so much now.
It will make his life so much better.
They are called bonnie and Clyde and they suit their names ❤️

Sorry should have said he is 2 years old exactly. Is this too old to get a baby?
We are in Dorset. I don’t know if it’s just where we are but most of the rescues are boys. I didn’t really want to get another boy even if they are both neutered.
If I could find a neutered female to adopt that would be perfect but it’s seems not that easy! He is a mini lop and we love him so really want to get another mini lop or similar breed!

Reputable rescues will only rehome neutered rabbits (whether or female) so if there’s one advertising unneutered rabbits I wouldn’t use them.
Bonding can be hit and miss, they’re a bit like us and sometimes don’t hit it off with other rabbits whereas for others it will be like love at first sight. Some rescues will bond for you but if they don’t make sure they’ll take the other bun back if it doesn’t work out, otherwise you’ll have two single rabbits (most rescues wouldn’t hesitate to take bun back if bonding doesn’t work).
There is a lovely rescue in Dorset, let me just find the name for you. Bunny jackpot foundation are excellent and absolute bonding experts, they would always be my preference. They’re in Bath.

Hop in your step animal sanctuary is the name of the one I know of in Dorset. I haven’t used them myself but know friends who have and have great things to say. But my personal recommendation would be bunny jackpot foundation in Bath if you can get to them.

You can’t get a baby I’m afraid. He could go for her and kill her.

look at rabbitrehome (website) - rescues and individuals advertise there. You can filter by breed.

I have got a few rabbits from there which I tried with my mini lop but the bugger wont tolerate another rabbit so he’s a solo free roamer! Neutered female mini lips don’t come up hugely often but often enough. I also look for litter trained, indoor buns that are friendly as we have small children and also vaccinated so it’s tricky at times.

we have travelled quite a distance for ours at times.

id also recommend a professional bonder.