If you’re a rabbit owner looking for a new place to live, or you’re looking to buy a rabbit and happen to live in an apartment, you may be wondering if apartments allow rabbits.
The answer, as with most things related to pets and housing, is it depends. Some apartments do allow rabbits, while others do not. If your building doesn’t have any rules against it, having a rabbit as a pet can be a great option.
But before you rush out and bring home your new furry friend, there are a few things you should consider. In this post, we’ll take a look at what you need to know about keeping rabbits in apartments.
Is it okay to keep rabbits in apartments?
When it comes to housing requirements, many pet rabbits are at a disadvantage.
Most building codes and apartment rules specify that dogs and cats must be kept in enclosed areas, prevented from running freely through the common parts of the apartment building. Yet since house rabbits can’t be trusted not to chew on your cords or destroy your furniture (and because they can’t be contained like cats and dogs can), they often don’t qualify as pets.
The good news is that some buildings do allow rabbits, whether or not they’re mentioned in the lease or rules of the building. If you happen to live in one of these places, consider yourself quite lucky – rabbits make delightful pets!
Still, while some people are perfectly happy with house rabbits (and frequently prefer them to cats and dogs), others may wish for more options when it comes to housing their pet rabbit(s). One solution is to find a single-family home where you will have more space; but if your current situation doesn’t provide you with any other options, fear not! There are still plenty of ways to make sure your bunny stays safe and healthy in the apartment.
Rabbits and Apartment Housing Laws: What You Need to Know
So what can you expect if your building doesn’t allow rabbits as pets? Before we get into the nitty gritty of making sure your bunny’s home is a safe one, let’s first discuss some of the laws regarding housing for rabbits.
The federal Fair Housing Act (part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) offers protection against discrimination against those with disabilities, including mentally and physically disabled individuals and those who require assistance animals (emotional support dogs). Under this law, “assistance animal” refers to any guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. However, this definition does not include other pets (this includes rabbits).
So while you can keep your rabbit in an apartment under the Fair Housing Act, there’s no protection for emotional support animals. This means that if someone has a problem with your rabbit, they are under no obligation to make any exceptions; failure to do so could be considered discrimination.
Since many pet rabbits are considered household pets rather than assistance animals, there may be no legal requirement for your landlord or building management to accommodate them. While some owners have been able to convince their landlords that their rabbit is an assistance animal, it requires extensive documentation and a sympathetic attitude on behalf of the property owner. This typically only works if the rabbit has some kind of task (i.e., they help with seizures) or if they offer physical support (as in, they lie next to someone who has anxiety).
Since these rules are so specific, it can be tricky to know whether or not you’ll have any difficulties housing your pet rabbit in an apartment. One great way to find out is by talking with the property manager or landowner ahead of time. This will provide you with an opportunity to discuss your needs and concerns, as well as give you a chance to work out any housing issues before they become problems later on.
Make sure that you clear your rabbit to your landlord
If your property creates the impression that rabbits are regarded as pets, rather than assistance animals, you can probably expect them to be treated as such. While this may mean your rabbit isn’t allowed in certain areas (e.g., on pool decks or near playground equipment), it also means your pet won’t need to stay in their hutch all day while you’re at work!
Tell your landlord that rabbits make good pets and that you’d like to keep your bunny in your unit. If they’re not willing to compromise on this issue, you might want to consider looking for another place to live; it may be hard to find a landlord that will allow pets at all, nevermind one with such specific rules regarding the type of pet allowed (or even breed).
If you have a problem with another tenant or decision-maker in the building mistreating your rabbit or otherwise being inconsiderate of their needs, try talking with them about it directly. There’s a chance they just don’t know any better – some people have had success saying “I’m very sorry if my rabbit is bothering you. I promise he won’t be here long; we’re just looking for a new place to live.”
If that doesn’t do the trick, try talking with your landlord or even local law enforcement officials. If you have a case of a neighbor or a building manager kicking your pet rabbit out of the property, you may be able to take legal action and win.
Make sure that your apartments has enough space
Rabbits love to jump around, so if you only have a small apartment, it may be difficult for your pet to get the exercise he needs. If that’s the case, you might want to consider buying an exercise pen or bunny proofing your apartment so that you can give your bunny needs more space.
Don’t forget to take care of your furry friend! Rabbits are social creatures, so if you don’t have anyone else who is willing to play with him, you’ll need to make sure he gets enough attention.
Neuter your rabbit
If you dont know what is neutering, it means to sterilize or remove the reproductive organ of a male animal to prevent pregnancy and control rabbit populations. this will keep your rabbit from marking his territory inside the apartment.
This is important for a few reasons.
First, if you have only one rabbit, it means you won’t have another around for them to breed – which is good news for your friend and the people who live with him. Second, not having testicles can make male rabbits (called bucks) much calmer; they’re less likely to be territorial or act aggressively towards people and other pets.
Not only does neutering help your animal friend to be healthier and happier, but it will also make him much better suited for an apartment lifestyle.
If you’re concerned about the costs of getting your rabbit neutered, many veterinarians offer discounts when you take in a second pet for company. If that isn’t an option for you, consider asking a local rescue group if they have any recommendations of low-cost clinics in your area.
Make sure you rabbit proof your apartment
This means closing up any holes through which your rabbit can escape and blocking off rooms you don’t want him to go into.
Rabbits like to chew, so make sure that anything within their reach is either unplugged or secured behind a barrier (e.g., baby gates, hurricane fencing ).
If you’re using an exercise pen to give your bunny more room to roam, make sure you close and latch the gate whenever he’s inside.
Do apartments charge for rabbits?
Charges for rabbits are not typically associated with apartments.
There are three types of charges that you might need to pay for pets.
1) Nonrefundable pet fee: This is a charge that simply cannot be returned under any circumstances. For example, an apartment complex might charge “first and last month’s rent” when you move in, even if you move out before the first month is up.
2) Monthly pet rent: Like nonrefundable fees, monthly pet rents are not typically refunded. However, they are usually billed on top of regular monthly rent so housing costs are higher overall for pet owners who live here. They are also generally applied to cats or dogs only; if you have other pets, you may need to pay more.
3) Refundable deposit: This is just what it sounds like: a payment that can be returned to you when you move out of the property, assuming that your pet doesn’t cause any damage to the apartment.
Smaller pets (like rabbits) often don’t require any kind of fee or deposit, but that depends on your landlord and the terms of your lease agreement.
If you need to find a new apartment and the pet policy requires having no more than two pets, you may want to consider downsizing your family.
If your rabbit is sick, injured, or very old, you might be able to get an exception for your pet – but that’s not something you should count on when you’re looking for a new place.
If there are no restrictions on pets in your building, then take the time to sit down with your landlord and go over the details of having a rabbit – particularly if yours is an adult male who isn’t neutered. They may have questions about how much space he needs or whether they can expect him to cause damage to their unit.
How to sneak rabbits into apartments?
Rabbits are actually very simple to sneak into apartment buildings.
First, put it in a cat carrier. Then, cover the air holes to hide them. Then, put it into a cat carrier. After that, you will need to carry the bunny in front of your body so the cats can’t see it.
So, if you follow these instructions rabbits can be carried to apartments easily!
How to find rabbit friendly apartments?
Rabbit-friendly apartments are just as easy to find as any other kind of apartment.
If you need help finding a rental, the Humane Society has resources for locating low-cost housing with pet-friendly landlords. You can also contact your local city or town government and ask if there is a specific program set up to help people find pet-friendly housing.
While it’s not advisable to bring a sick or injured animal into an apartment complex, rabbits who are spayed or neutered and well cared for will generally pass under the radar.
Here are some websites where you can find pet-friendly apartments:
- Apartments for Us
- Apartmint
- The Bonnie Hunt
- Apartment Guide
- Rent.com
- Myhousenetwork.com
What to do if your apartment doesn’t allow rabbits?
Don’t worry if you live in an apartment that doesn’t allow rabbits.
They may have questions about how much space he needs or whether they can expect him to cause damage to their unit.
The way you answer these questions is important because landlords are more likely to be lenient if it’s evident that you’re responsible and care about the property.
If there are no restrictions on pets in your building, then take the time to sit down with your landlord and go over the details of having a rabbit – particularly if yours is an adult male who isn’t neutered.
16 Things To Consider Before Getting A Rabbit For An Apartment Pet
Identify Your Rabbit Sitter Before You Get A Bunny
You need to have a backup plan for bunny care in case plans change or you have to travel unexpectedly.
It may be that a family member, friend, or neighbor would be willing to come over and take care of your rabbit if this happens.
Watch Out For Pet Rent Fees
When you first move into the apartment, check the terms of your lease agreement with respect to rabbits as pets. If a monthly pet rent is required on top of regular monthly rent, it’s probably not going to work out well for you.
Know What Your Landlord Will Accept As A Security Deposit For A Rabbit
A smaller deposit might be all right if you have other pets in addition to your rabbit or if it’s clear that you’re responsible. If you don’t have other pets, ask your landlord what kind of security deposit they will accept in exchange for the pet rabbit.
Know Your Rights Under Fair Housing Laws
If you live in a community property complex where children and/or minors are allowed but rabbits aren’t, then it could be that an exception can be made to allow your child to keep a pet rabbit. Fair housing laws may also provide additional protections if rabbits are permitted as service animals.
Set Up An Indoor Cage In Advance Of Any Pet Deposit Request
In case your landlord requests proof that you have an approved cage or enclosure for your bunny, having one set up in advance makes it easier to get the compliance you need.
Be Sensitive To Any Complaints From Neighbors
If your rabbit is noisy, for example, be sure to get his nails trimmed regularly, if possible. If he’s destructive because of boredom or other factors (like having inappropriate items in his cage), then make sure you get him toys and chew-safe items like cardboard boxes to avoid creating problems for yourself with your neighbors.
Keep Cleaning Supplies On Hand For Rabbit Care
It may also be a good idea to request permission before doing any major redecorating that could upset your landlord or create additional costs associated with any potential damage done by rabbits. Finally, keep cleaning supplies on hand so that you can clean up after your bunny in case of an accident.
Get A USDA License From The USDA
If you’re not sure whether or not your apartment will allow rabbits, check to see if they are permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) first. This can be done online in most cases with a simple search for “USDA license requirements in [state].”
Identify Your Legal Rights And Draw Up An Agreement For Future Reference
If your landlord is unwilling to work with you on getting a pet rabbit, then talk with him/her about what information you need to give them and get it in writing so that there is no confusion later on. In addition, get copies of any certifications.
How Will You Transport Your Bunny?
If your apartment doesn’t allow rabbits, you may have to get one of those large rabbit cages that are often used for transport instead.
Consider The Litter Box
Litter boxes are a great way to help solve the problem of rabbits being house-trained. They’re especially useful if you have a single rabbit who isn’t litter box trained yet or you need to keep him in one room of your apartment with an easy escape route from his cage.
Make Sure You Have Appropriate Toys
Rabbits love toys and playing, so make sure you have plenty on hand for entertainment. A cardboard box lined with paper can work as a safe chew toy that usually entertains bunnies for lengthy periods of time with no trouble at all.
Be Ready For Unexpected Emergencies
No matter how well bunny-proofed your home is, there will always be times when accidents happen and odd things get into the cage that may harm your rabbit. If you have the means to take him to an emergency veterinarian, then you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble.
Think About Your Social Life & How A Bunny Fits In
Your bunny is going to be a new addition to your home and if you have a very active social life, then you may want to consider what your friends will say when they can’t come over and you tell them you have a pet bunny. While an apartment may be fine, getting a roommate to share the cost may make more sense when you consider how much time you can spend at home with your bunny when they are out.
How able are you to care for a pet? How much time can you spend at home taking care of your bunny? What additional costs will the rabbit impose on your monthly budget? How many hours a day can you devote to your rabbit’s care?
Think About Climate
Climate, as well as what you include in your bunny’s habitat is another important consideration. In some areas, for example, an outdoor hutch is a must. In others, rabbits can be kept in cages indoors much of the time with appropriate room to run and play when they are not in their cages.
How well suited is your apartment for a rabbit? What pet-proofing will you need to do upon moving into your new home? Do you live in an area that allows outdoor hutches?
What Kind Of Rabbit Do You Want?
There are many different breeds of rabbits and while some will be better suited to your apartment than others, you should really do a lot of research before deciding which one is right for you. Make sure that the breed you choose is compatible with your climate, the amount of space you have in your apartment, and if they are both physically and temperamentally suited for living indoors.
There are many different breeds of rabbits to choose from including lion heads, mini lops, tri-colors, white or black Amami black rabbits, Flemish giant mixes, and more.
Do you want a mini-rex, lion head, or Holland lop? What kind of rabbit do you currently have? How much space does your rabbit need to explore in his habitat? Does the temperature in your apartment allow for a hot climate breed? Do you live in a warm or cold climate area?
Conclusion
In conclusion, apartments should allow rabbits as long as they are house-trained and have a safe place to stay.
If you need help training your rabbit or want to make sure that he has a proper habitat, then you should look into what it takes to keep a bunny in an apartment complex before moving forward.
It is also important to find out if your apartment allows rabbits and to check for any current or pending pet laws in the area.
Dr. Elly Cameron is a veterinarian who has always loved animals. She grew up with cats and rabbits, and knew from a young age that she wanted to help animals in whatever way she could. After completing veterinary school in New Zealand, she and her husband moved to North Carolina in 2009. There, she worked as a small animal veterinarian, seeing cats, dogs, and of course her favorite patients – rabbits! In the last few years, Dr. Cameron has been working as a locum vet while she concentrates on raising her two young daughters. She also started writing this blog to help other rabbit lovers out there.