How to Get a Free Lionhead Rabbit Safely in the United States

Why are Lionhead rabbits given away for free?

• Impulse and holiday buys. National Geographic reported in 2017 that the Georgia House Rabbit Society usually gets one or two calls a week about abandoned rabbits, but three to four a day in the six weeks after Easter, and that some shelters see another rise in summer, when those rabbits reach puberty.
• Grooming fatigue. PetMD recommends brushing a Lionhead two or three times a week and daily during the spring and fall molts, and some owners fall behind.
• Accidental litters. Young rabbits are often sexed wrongly, and Merck says small breeds mature at 3.5 to 4 months.
• Ordinary life changes, such as a move, allergies or a new baby.

None of this means the rabbit is a problem. It does mean the owner may know less about its age, health or background than a breeder would, so ask questions and look closely.

Is a free Lionhead rabbit really a Lionhead?

Not always, and for a pet that is fine. A single copy of the mane gene gives a rabbit a mane, so a cross between a Lionhead and another breed can have maned kits, and a rabbit called a Lionhead in a free ad may be a mix. A purebred adult weighs no more than 3.75 pounds under the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) standard, so a much bigger maned rabbit is probably a cross.

Mane type matters more than papers. PetMD says double manes keep a thick mane for life and may grow longer fur on the flanks and back legs, while single manes often lose much of theirs with age. With an adult, the coat you see is the coat you will groom.

What does a free Lionhead rabbit really cost?

A rescue rabbit that is already spayed or neutered can work out cheaper than a free one that is not. If that appeals, read how to adopt a Lionhead rabbit.

What should you ask about a free Lionhead?

• Why are you giving it away, and how long have you had it?
• How old is it, and is it spayed or neutered? Can I see the vet record?
• Is it a single or double mane, and how often do you brush it?
• Has it ever had mats clipped out, mites, fly eggs or a dirty bottom?
• Has it had tooth trims, sneezing or runny eyes?
• Has it had an RHDV2 vaccine, and when?
• What does it eat each day, and is it litter trained?
• Has it lived with other rabbits, children or pets, and how does it react to handling?

What are the red flags in free Lionhead rabbit ads?

• A request for a shipping, crate or insurance fee. Live rabbits cannot be mailed through the US Postal Service, and the Federal Trade Commission says legitimate sellers do not demand gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
• Photos that look professional, or that turn up elsewhere when you run a reverse image search.
• An owner who will not let you see the rabbit before you collect it.
• A free kit younger than 8 weeks. North Carolina, for example, bans giving away rabbits under 8 weeks old as pets.
• Several free kits whose sexes nobody knows, a sign that more litters are on the way.

Use the Report Scam button on any listing that looks wrong.

How do you check a free Lionhead's coat and health?

• Part the mane and flank fur to the skin, and feel under the chin and chest, at the nape and on the feet and legs, where mats tend to form first.
• Look for flakes, redness or bald patches. PetMD lists Cheyletiella fur mites, which cause itching and hair loss, among the breed's health issues.
• Look under the tail. PetMD warns that flies lay eggs in wet or soiled fur, a condition called flystrike.
• Lift the lips: the upper front teeth should sit just in front of the lowers, with no drooling or wet chin. PetMD notes the breed's small head and slightly longer lower jaw can lead to malocclusion.
• Check for a dry nose, clear eyes and normal breathing.
• Feel the spine and hips under the wool, which can hide weight loss.

How do you collect a free Lionhead rabbit safely?

1. Meet at the owner's home, so you see how the rabbit was kept, or in a busy public place in daylight.
2. Bring a secure carrier with a towel and some hay.
3. Ask for its vet records, a few days of its usual hay and pellets, and its brush.
4. Write a short note with both names, the date and a description of the rabbit, and both sign it.
5. Keep it apart from other rabbits until a vet has seen it. USDA notes that rabbit hemorrhagic disease can spread on clothing, shoes and hands.
6. Book a rabbit-savvy vet within the first week.

If the owner is still deciding, share how to give away a Lionhead rabbit for free without risk. If you would prefer an adult with a full history and a modest fee, see taking in a rehomed Lionhead rabbit.