Adoption Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions outline the commitments required when purchasing a rabbit from Bellarine Bunnies.

By reserving or purchasing a rabbit, the buyer confirms they understand and agree to all terms, expectations and requirements outlined on this page. They also commit to loving & protecting their new family member.

šŸ’œ 1. Responsible Ownership

The primary responsible person must be an adult (18 years or older) who accepts responsibility for the rabbit for its full lifespan - recognising that rabbits can live up to 13 years .

During this time, owners must commit to providing:

  • Housing that allows the rabbit to move freely, stretch fully, and exercise daily
  • Daily care, enrichment, and interaction
  • Constant access to unlimited hay and constant access to fresh water -
  • An appropriate diet including fresh greens and high quality pellets
  • Clean living conditions
  • Daily monitoring of their bunnies appetite, health and behavioural conditions

šŸ©ŗ 2. Veterinary Care

Health care is a basic right for all bunnies and new owners must commit to providing appropriate veterinary care during their lifetime. This includes ensuring:

  • Access to prompt veterinary care when their bunny is injured or unwell
  • Supplying preventative health care including vaccinations (where recommended by your vet)
  • Desexing when age-appropriate (unless part of an agreed breeding arrangement)

šŸ” 3. Housing & Environment

A bunnie's housing and environment has a huge impact on their wellbeing, happiness and long term health outcomes. All new owners must understand this & commit to providing safe, secure & appropriately sized housing for their bunnies, as well as regular opoortunities for them to play, stretch & explore.

It is never ok for a bunny to live in a cage or small hutch .

New owners agree to meeting the following minimum standards throughout their bunnies lifetime:

  • Housing that protects the rabbit from pests, predators, and environmental risks
  • Bunnies cannot regulate their body temperature and at high risk of heat stress. New owners commit to providing their bunny with a climate controlled environment and constant protection from heat & cold.
  • Regular opportunities for exercising in large open (secure) areas where they can explore, move freely and live their best bunny lives.
  • A clean, secure, and well-maintained environment

šŸ’ø 4. Deposits & Reservations

Deposits allow us to reserve your chosen bunny while ensuring availability remains fair for all families.

  • Our rabbitry is not open to the public due to the persistent biosecurity threats to rabbits in Victoria (ie calicivirus).
  • A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a rabbit
  • Once a deposit is received, a pickup appointment and collection address will be provided. For context, we are very close to GMHBA Stadium in Geelong (which is located on Kilgour Street, Geelong).

šŸ“¦ 5. Pickup

We aim to provide a positive and relaxed experience for all families picking up their new bunny.

  • Bellarine Bunnies retain legal ownership of all rabbits until full payment is made & the rabbit is picked up.
  • All outstanding balances must be settled in cash at pickup .
  • Pickup is by appointment only
  • A secure carrier must be brought for transport
  • Bunnies must be collected within 7 days of reservation unless otherwise agreed.

šŸ” 6. Rehoming

If at any time the owner can no longer keep their rabbit, the rabbit must be returned to Bellarine Bunnies Geelong.

  • New owners agree that they will never rehome, abandon or surrender their bunny .
  • Should the worst happen, bunnies must be returned to Bellarine Bunnies, with ownership transferred back to us.
  • Bellarine Bunnies cannot pay owners seeking to return a bunny to our care. Due to quarantine requirements, and health care costs (all bunnies must recieve vet health checks & testing before being safely returned to the main rabbitry), this is simply not possible.