The Town of Imagination for Rabbits 

Bonding for Sugarplum (right) and Binx (left)

Sugarplum lost her Forever Friend Lucky due to cancer. We did their bonding with Lucky and Sugarplum.  Sugarplum was there at his passing to say her Goodbye. She was very depressed. We knew that she needed a Friend Friend. We wanted to try one of a fosters but he was too young and not fixed.  We were able to do a Foster to Adopt with Binx from a local 501 c3 Rabbit Rescue Group.

We will go their bonding process which was a 5 to 6 weeks period. We will go over both the good and bad things during the bonding process. I have bonded several of our own pairs along with bonding at 501c3 rescue groups for over 12 years.  The bonding of our own pairs were either Love at first sight took a week or two.

There is not magic wand on the bonding process. There are times when it is perfect match right off. The purpose of this page is to show the good and bad during the bonding. We would explain the changes that we made during the process.  You can pick and choose what you want to see after reading the bonding guide. We have not seen where process is shown over a 5 to 6 weeks period.  There are of course several other approaches. We would show what has worked for us and the people who we helped out over the years.

We tried to comfort Sugarplum after she lost her Forever Friend Lucky due to cancer.  We started the bonding process with Binx 3 days after the passing Lucky. It was very difficult. It was so hard to see Sugarplum so depressed.

We setup side by side x-pens in Sugarplum and Lucky's area. We did clean up the area which was very hard. We place an object between the x-pens. There was a little of pen fighting between them at first. We had to use a 30" x-pen since Binx could hop out of the 24" x-pen that we used for Sugarplum and Lucky. The first week was just holding them together and one on one time with each.

We like to use a laundry basket with a fleece and cat bed place on the bottom. The idea is that you full control during the bonding process. We like to place the rabbits in the same direction and pet them. We are looking for the two rabbits to lean their heads together. You can see that Binx was not happy with Sugarplum. We then moved Binx away from Sugarplum. We then started to calm Binx down with calm pets on the head. The two at this point have not been together in the bonding pen. Once we were finished we put them both back in their side-by-side bonding pens.

We did the controlled interaction several times. You can see that they have started to feel relaxed with each other.  You can also move the basket from side to side in a gentle manor to add a little stress for them. They would tend to seek each out during this time.

You can place the rabbits head to back. Bonded pairs do like to lay head to back. When they do that one is watching the front other is watching the back. You can pet them to calm them down and to make them feel safe.

It is important to have one on one time with each bunny. When they are side by side x-pens you must without emotion move one bunny into another area. Rabbits are smart. You cannot play favorites. I would do my alone with Binx out sight of Sugarplum. I would then do the same with Sugarplum.

I setup their neutral area bonding next to their 4x4 side x-pens. I would hold them together inside of the x-pens. I am always in hands reach to prevent things. Sugarplum did try to go after Binx a few times. Sugarplum came near Binx and was going to go after him. I used the palm of my hand to calmly move Sugarplum away. I then gave gentle pets to calm Binx down. It is important to be inside of the bonding pen to help calm things down. I use the palm of my hands on their heads to move them away. If you control head you control the bunny. If you put your hand on their backside they can turn around and go after you.

It is important to just hold rabbits together. You don't always have to do bonding. Rabbits just like people need some quite together. We did though out the bonding process and after they have been bonded.

We moved the neutral bonding area to another location. The first location was next to their side-by -side x-pens. We did clean the area however it still within Sugarplum's home area. We felt that she possessive of the area which cause her to act

We have a complete bonding session divided in 4 groups.

1. Sugarplum is resting in her side-by-side litter box. We can see that Binx was going to go after her based on his body language. We used a loud sound by snapping our fingers and pointing at him. Binx broke away due to the sound.

2. We then used a gentle pet to calm Sugarplum.

3. Sugarplum hop out of her litter box and went near Binx. Binx later went after her. We moved Binx away with our hands. We are present inside of the bonding pen the entire time.

4. We later put both of them together at the end of the bonding process. Things do happen during the bonding process. If they went after each in a circle we would have stopped it. We would have stopped it if get any worse.

It does help to add hay, greens, pellets or in this case willow leaves in the bonding pen. You want to spread it around so the bunnies can hop around and eat. You don't want to put it all in one small area which can lead to fights. We were unsure of what Binx was going to so gave him a head pet to move him away. The purpose of the food was to have the bunnies eat in peace.

I made major mistake which put the bonding back several weeks. I did not place the same type of hay in each of the litter boxes. I placed some Oat hay into one and not the others. You can see that they began to circle which I had to break apart and end the bonding. It was the first time that this had happen and I caused it. I put bonding back a few weeks. I had to in effect start over with holding them and the laundry basket.

We did recover after about a week or so. We went back to the basics holding together. We added a large litter box that they both can hop into together. You can see that they are both relaxed and near each other. They are grooming with back towards the other one. They feel relax with each other.

You can change the bonding area to side-by-side bonding with a barrier. The side-by-side would give everyone some rest from bonding.

We moved their side-by-side x-pens into our Foster Bunny Room. We will move the bonding to the bunny room since we did have any fosters at the time. We then cleaned their area and created the setup for new home. The plan was to do bonding in the bunny room. We would then start to move the bonding to the area where they will be staying.

We moved their side-by-side x-pens into our Foster Bunny Room. We will move the bonding to the bunny room since we did have any fosters at the time. We then cleaned their area and created the setup for new home. The plan was to do bonding in the bunny room. We would then start to move the bonding to the area where they will be staying.

It was a Great Day to see Sugarplum groom Binx.

Bonding has been looking good for a week in the Bunny Room. We just now move the divider without holding them together. They would stay together most of the day. We would put the divider back at night. We are going at their pace. We don't want to rush the bonding. We did make a major mistake before and wanted to go slow.

The bonding in the bunny room was going great. We now moved bonding in their forever area. The purpose of this video is show how you can react to potential concerns. We are in the bonding area since it was the first time in a new expanded location.

1. We would pet them when Sugarplum sat next to Binx. Binx was not happy at the end and showed it. We gently moved him away.

2. We can tell that Binx may go after Sugarplum by his body language. We said and pointed to him "Be Nice ... We are watching you". He then backed off. We were in each case calm and reacted in a calm manor. If you are stressed rabbits will feel it. They can see from you reaction that you are the top bunny.

We have Sugarplum and Binx in their Forever Bonding most of the day and until we go to bed. We have placed Baby Monitors in their area

Priceless Binx is grooming Sugarplum.

Sugarplum and Binx have been doing great all day and until bed time. We would move them back to the bunny room when we went to bed. We have been doing this for a week or so without watching them. We have them some fresh willow leaves to share on a Friday Night. It was time. We said "Goodnight".

When we got up they were next to each other waiting for their greens and treats. We had a bonded pair. We had tears in our eyes. We saw that our Sugarplum was very happy. We welcomed our new son into our family. They were very happy together.

The Facebook page "The Town of Imagination for Rabbits" is known for showing unique videos and pictures of the "Town's Residents". Cindy (shown in the back) is with Sugarplum and Binx at the Town's Farmer's Market. Cindy manages the farmer's market and her own stand. She likes to have treats for the town's residents. She welcomes the Town's newest For Ever Resident Binx.

J

Sugarplum had her bonding ceremony with Binx on Feb 14th. Ms. Swan officiated the bonding ceremony. Cindy Sugarplum's Best Friend gave Sugarplum away to Binx. They did the custom "chin" to say that that there are Forever Friends. They later had the custom greens.