How to Get a Free Rabbit Safely in the United States
You can get a free rabbit safely in the United States by meeting the owner and the rabbit in person, checking its age, sex and health, and never sending money for shipping or a deposit to someone you have not met. Expect to spend real money soon after: spay or neuter surgery, a vet check and an RHDV2 vaccination usually cost far more than a rabbit's purchase price.
Most free rabbits come from families who can no longer keep them, from an accidental litter, or from a child who has lost interest. Many make lovely pets. This guide explains why rabbits are offered for free, what they will really cost you, the warning signs to look for and how to collect a bunny safely.
Key points
- Free rabbits often come from accidental litters, moves or a lost interest; ask why the rabbit is being given away.
- An unspayed or unneutered rabbit will need surgery that a vet-reviewed 2026 US cost guide puts at about $500 to $1,200.
- Never pay a shipping, crate or insurance fee for a free rabbit; that is a common pet scam.
- Have the rabbit seen by a rabbit-savvy vet within a few days, and keep it apart from other rabbits until then.
Why are rabbits given away for free?
Rabbits breed quickly, and young rabbits are easy to sex wrongly, so many free bunnies come from surprise litters. Others are adults whose owners are moving, have a new baby, developed allergies, or bought a rabbit for a child who lost interest. Rabbit rescues, including the House Rabbit Society through its Make Mine Chocolate! campaign, warn against buying live rabbits as Easter gifts, and some rescues report more unwanted rabbits in the months after Easter.
None of that means the rabbit is a bad pet. It does mean you should ask questions, because the owner may know less about its age, sex and health than a breeder or rescue would.
What does a free rabbit really cost?
The House Rabbit Society describes a rabbit as a 10-plus year commitment. Here is what to budget for in the first year:
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Spay or neuter (if not done) | About $500 to $1,200 | Chewy cost guide, vet-reviewed, 2026 |
| RHDV2 vaccine | $90 to $160 a year | San Diego House Rabbit Society, Southern California exotic vets |
| Microchip | $25 to $60 | San Diego House Rabbit Society |
| Yearly food, hay, litter, vet care | Roughly $1,700 to $3,400 | Chewy cost guide, vet-reviewed, 2026 |
| Pen, litter box, hay rack, carrier | One-off; depends on what the owner includes | Ask the owner |
Prices vary by region, but the lesson holds everywhere: a rescue rabbit that is already spayed or neutered, often for a fee House Rabbit Society chapters set at about $50 to $150, can work out cheaper than a free one. Compare with how to adopt a rabbit.
What questions should you ask about a free rabbit?
- How old is the rabbit? If it is a baby, it should be at least 8 weeks old.
- Is it male or female, and has a vet confirmed that?
- Is it spayed or neutered? Ask for the vet record.
- Has it had an RHDV2 vaccination, and when?
- Has it been in contact with an unneutered rabbit of the opposite sex? A doe may already be pregnant.
- What does it eat, where has it lived, and is it litter trained?
- Any health issues: teeth, sneezing, runny eyes, loose droppings, head tilt?
- Why are you giving it away?
Honest owners answer readily. Our guide to taking in a rehomed rabbit has more questions for adult rabbits with a history.
What are the red flags with free rabbit ads?
- Money first: the rabbit is free but you must pay for shipping, a crate, insurance or vaccines before you meet. The Federal Trade Commission warns that legitimate sellers do not require payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
- Photos that do not match: a reverse image search shows the picture elsewhere.
- Babies under 8 weeks: too young to leave, and in some places, such as North Carolina, illegal to give away as pets.
- Many rabbits, no idea of sexes: a sign of an uncontrolled colony; you may bring home a pregnant doe.
- Sick rabbits: discharge from eyes or nose, a wet chin, a dirty bottom or a very thin body.
- Pressure: the owner wants it gone today and will not answer questions.
If something feels wrong, use the Report Scam button on the listing.
How do you check a free rabbit's health?
- Clear eyes, a dry nose and quiet breathing
- Front teeth that meet neatly, and a dry chin (drooling can mean dental trouble)
- Clean ears, a clean bottom and normal round droppings
- A thick coat with no bald patches or flaking
- Good weight: you can feel the spine but it is not sharp
- Bright, curious and eating hay
Book a vet who treats rabbits within a few days, and keep the new rabbit apart from any rabbits you already have until it has been checked. USDA notes RHDV2 can spread on contaminated items and on people's clothing, shoes and hands, so wash up between rabbits.
How do you meet the owner and collect the rabbit safely?
- Message the owner through PetzLover and ask your questions before you share personal details.
- Meet at the owner's home if you can, so you see where the rabbit has lived; otherwise choose a busy public place in daylight.
- Bring a secure carrier lined with a towel and some hay; avoid hot cars, since rabbits handle heat poorly.
- Ask for the rabbit's food, records and any supplies the owner is including.
- Sign a simple rehoming note with both names, the date and the rabbit's description.
Free rabbit listings are less common than sales, so search free rabbits on PetzLover and save the search to get an alert when one appears near you. Owners can read our guide to giving a rabbit away safely to see what a responsible handover looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good idea to get a free rabbit?
It can be, if you meet the rabbit, check its health and plan for the costs. A free rabbit still needs a rabbit-savvy vet, spay or neuter surgery if not done, and years of hay, greens and housing. If you want a rabbit that is already fixed and vaccinated, compare with a rescue.
Why do people ask for a fee for a free rabbit?
Some owners ask a small rehoming fee to discourage people who would not care for the rabbit, which is reasonable when you meet in person. A request to send money for shipping, crates or insurance before you have seen the rabbit is a common scam. Never pay a stranger that way.
Can a free rabbit be pregnant?
Yes, if it has lived with an unneutered male. Ask whether the doe has been with a buck in the last month, and have a vet check her. Wrongly sexed rabbits are a frequent cause of surprise litters.
Do free rabbits need an RHDV2 vaccine?
Ask your vet. USDA reports RHDV2 outbreaks are ongoing in numerous US states, the virus kills 50 to 100 percent of infected rabbits, and there is no cure. A USDA conditionally licensed vaccine is available through veterinarians.
Are free rabbits good for young children?
The House Rabbit Society typically recommends rabbits for older children, because most rabbits dislike being picked up and can be injured if dropped. Families with small children may do better with a larger, calmer adult rabbit and close supervision.
How do I find free rabbits near me?
Search free rabbits on the site by location and save the search so you get alerts about new listings. Then message the owner through the site to ask about age, sex, health and why the rabbit needs a new home.
Helpful guides
Pet for FreeHow to Give Away a Rabbit for Free Without Risk in the United StatesGive away a rabbit safely in the US by being honest about its health, screening every applicant, signing a simple rehoming agreement and handing it over in person.
Pet for SaleHow to Buy a Rabbit in the United StatesBuy a rabbit in the US by meeting it in person, confirming it is at least 8 weeks old and healthy, and budgeting for spay or neuter, a rabbit-savvy vet and an RHDV2 vaccine.
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Rabbits in the United StatesSell rabbits in the US by following state age rules, selling only healthy rabbits 8 weeks or older, writing an honest ad, screening buyers and taking payment in person at handover.
Pet for AdoptionHow to Adopt a Rabbit in the United StatesAdopt a rabbit in the US through a rabbit rescue or shelter: apply, meet the rabbits, pay a fee that usually covers spay or neuter, and prepare an indoor pen before day one.
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Rabbit for Adoption in the United StatesList a rabbit for adoption in the US with clear adopter criteria, a fair fee, an application and meeting, a written contract and a check-in after the rabbit goes home.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Rabbit in the United StatesTake in a rehomed rabbit in the US by asking about its history, health and habits, meeting it at home, getting its records and food, and giving it a quiet few weeks to settle.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Rabbit Responsibly in the United StatesRehome your rabbit in the US with an honest listing, full health and behavior disclosure, a fair fee, careful screening and an in-person handover with records and food.
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Rabbit Wanted" Ad in the United StatesReply to a rabbit wanted ad in the US by checking the request fits your rabbit, describing it honestly, asking the requester about their home, and handing over in person only.
Pet WantedHow to Post a "Rabbit Wanted" Ad and Get Replies in the United StatesPost a rabbit wanted ad in the US that says what rabbit you want, your budget, your area and your home, then check replies carefully and never pay before you meet the rabbit.