SPAYING & NEUTERING

Yes, you can and should spay or neuter your pet rabbit!

Benefits of Spaying/Neutering

• Reduces undesirable behaviours in both males and females, such as digging, chewing, spraying urine, circling and mounting

• Eliminates the possibility of reproductive diseases, such as cancers and infections of the uterus, mammaries and testicles. In a study observing a colony of rabbits in 1958, 79.1% of the does developed uterine cancer by the age of six. (Source: House Rabbit Society). This is an astonishing finding that is still quoted to this day.

• Helps to reduce domestic rabbit overpopulation by eliminating unwanted litters and allows rabbits to be bonded responsibly. Rabbits are "induced ovulators," that is, ovulation takes place at the time of copulation, therefore "does" can be impregnated any time they mate with a "buck." A rabbit can even be impregnated shortly after she has given birth. Please be responsible and do not subject your rabbits to this extremely stressful life!

• Reduces aggressive behaviour often displayed by unaltered rabbits.

• Free-roaming life! Rabbits who are spayed or neutered have less sporadic litter habits and are able to have more freedom in the home.

• More opportunities for socialization with other rabbits. Even if only one is altered (or they are of the same sex), it can be difficult or even impossible to achieve a successful bonding between two rabbits. Some people have the misconception that two same sex siblings can live happily together forever, however this is most often not the case beyond adolescence when hormones kick into high gear. Even if bonding is temporarily successful between two unaltered adult rabbits, it likely will not last.

• Eliminates the possibility for “false pregnancies,” a condition experienced by unspayed females in which they feel and behave as though they are pregnant. This leads to stress and can cause issues of the reproductive organs (i.e. inflammation and eventual infection of the uterus)

Before booking your rabbit's surgery, search for a rabbit-savvy veterinarian in your area. For a list of rabbit-savvy veterinarians in Ontario, please visit OREO's list of veterinarians. If you would like a list of rabbit-savvy veterinarians in the Ottawa area, please Contact Us or again, visit OREO's site for a comprehensive questionnaire for prospective veterinary clinics.

Feel free to view our Spaying and Neutering information pamphlet. You are welcome to print and distribute as you wish.

NEW MOON RABBIT RESCUE POLICIES
Each and every New Moon Rabbit Rescue rabbit is spayed or neutered prior to adoption. No rabbit under spay or neuter age (approximately 5-6 months) is adopted until they are of age. If a rabbit is unable to be spayed or neutered due to age or illness, he or she becomes a resident of the rescue (residing with a member of the New Moon Board of Directors or in permanent foster care).