I used to own a bunny and I completely understand how upsetting this is. I had a leash for him and would take him outside just like a dog. For the people saying it's "just" a bunny, get lost and gone a miserable prick somewhere else. It's a family pet and they're cuddly and pretty intelligent. Ours used to have the run of the living room and dining room every night while we were watching TV.

Have you checked with any local shelters or rescues? I'm in PA, but our local SPCA and also private rescue often has several bunnies to offer--most people can tell a domestic rabbit from a wild one and it's possible someone picked him up and turned him in. I really feel for you, I hope by some Act of God you find him. I hate thinking of him out there all alone.

OP I saw your update and good job! A few pages back, I posted to use this as an opportunity to teach about death. I hope you can go back and look at that post, because this bunny is the prep for grandparents and other death situations.

I am really proud of you that you did not implicate your DC's friend.

The friends are too young & not old enough to be responsible for the complete care of a pet.

I would have asked an adult to watch the bunny if it meant that much to your kids.

I am very sorry for your loss.
I would put out Missing Bunny fliers around the neighborhood, place an ad in the Pets section of Craigslist as well as call your local animal shelter.

OP, it sounds as if you have handled this difficult situation extremely well.

darn those bunnies and their Rabbit Transit options

OP did you put flyers and spread the word around you're missing rabbit in their neighborhood? There's a chance he still out there or maybe somebody found him and brought him in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is ridiculous. It's a bunny, not a human.

If you want professional quality care for your pet, hire a professional. If you want to pay a 10 year old $5 a day, live with the consequences.

Don't pretend this is some kind of unforgivable mistake - it was a moment of bad judgment by a child.

Say, the children were pet-sitting a cat or a dog, and the animal got away. Would you also say 'this is ridiculous'? After all, it's a dog, not a human.

OP, my DD loves rabbits, so I feel for you and your kids. Sorry it happened.. I'd be pissed off, too.

We've lost more than one of our cats after they ran out the door. Yes, we looked for them, but never found them. If it happened while someone was catsitting, well, we'd be upset, but accidents happen. Pets are still wild animals.

No, they aren't. Pets are domesticated animals.

It's really not right to minimize OP's sadness and upsettedness over her lost pet. This rabbit was obviously much loved by OP and by her child.

I don't know what I would do in this situation. Put up fliers in the neighborhood, to be sure. Can you knock on neighbors' doors and ask if they've seen your rabbit as well - do you feel comfortable doing that? I would also reach out to local media in that area - they might not pick up the story, but they might, and it'd be an easy way to amplify your search efforts. Also call local shelters to see if anyone has brought in your pet.

There's no point in being furious at the family. They screwed up, and I'm sure they feel terrible already.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old are the children who were bunny-sitting?

DD's friend is 10. They also have a 14 year old.

Yeah. 10 is not old enough to be solely responsible for another living being. You chose your bunny caregiver poorly. I'm sure the kid feels horrible though

The understanding was that the entire family would do it. All communication/directions were done via mom.

Seems there was not the understanding you believed or mr bun would not have been under the "watchful" eyes of a 10 year old

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you pay for the pet-sitting services?

Well, last time we gave $50/day. Mom already told me they obviously wouldn't expect money this time around.

You PAID $50 a DAY for someone to watch a RABBIT? This is a joke - right?

That is what you would pay for a professional veterinary boarding facility that monitored food intake, weight, could administer meds, had insurance. You are really overpaying.

That's what you'd pay at an expensive professional facility for a large dog. Rabbits, reptiles and even cats are much more affordable. That price is ridiculous.

I pay $50 for two dogs at my boarding center.

An adult rabbit is actually a pretty resourceful creature, and the weather has been pretty mild this winter, so as someone else said, your rabbit may be living a rabbit's life.

Hello everyone. This is OP. Been a crazy busy day being back at work after vacation so haven't been on DCUM yet.

After the kids got home from school today, we sat them down and just candidly explained what happened - rabbit got loose and ran away. I told them I had been calling a lot of people, posted in neighborhood groups and Facebook etc. and that there was a slight chance he might come back, but unlikely. I did not mention that it was DD's friend who ultimately contributed, because I don't think that would be good for their friendship. Even though DD is a very compassionate girl I think she'd look at friend and always think of her bunny (which, I'm sure she probably already will, but maybe less so?) Luckily the girls don't go to the same school (we live about a mile away from each other and we actually met their family at a local park a few years ago) so that makes things somewhat easier, but still.

The kids were understandably very upset and cried. This was really the first "loss" they've experienced - never had other pets, no grandparents dying, etc. so it's difficult. We talked for a long time and I think they'll be fine.

I am leaving in five minutes to go pick up the supplies from friend's house. I will update you how that goes. These are very kind, warm people (who I guess just made a really big oops) and I know they feel horrible.

Thank you all for your kind words.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is ridiculous. It's a bunny, not a human.

If you want professional quality care for your pet, hire a professional. If you want to pay a 10 year old $5 a day, live with the consequences.

Don't pretend this is some kind of unforgivable mistake - it was a moment of bad judgment by a child.

Say, the children were pet-sitting a cat or a dog, and the animal got away. Would you also say 'this is ridiculous'? After all, it's a dog, not a human.

OP, my DD loves rabbits, so I feel for you and your kids. Sorry it happened.. I'd be pissed off, too.

We've lost more than one of our cats after they ran out the door. Yes, we looked for them, but never found them. If it happened while someone was catsitting, well, we'd be upset, but accidents happen. Pets are still wild animals.

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is ridiculous. It's a bunny, not a human.

If you want professional quality care for your pet, hire a professional. If you want to pay a 10 year old $5 a day, live with the consequences.

Don't pretend this is some kind of unforgivable mistake - it was a moment of bad judgment by a child.

Say, the children were pet-sitting a cat or a dog, and the animal got away. Would you also say 'this is ridiculous'? After all, it's a dog, not a human.

OP, my DD loves rabbits, so I feel for you and your kids. Sorry it happened.. I'd be pissed off, too.

If they go to the same school, the bunny sitter will tell your kids before you have a chance

OP, this is ridiculous. It's a bunny, not a human.

If you want professional quality care for your pet, hire a professional. If you want to pay a 10 year old $5 a day, live with the consequences.

Don't pretend this is some kind of unforgivable mistake - it was a moment of bad judgment by a child.