Hoppy Hours

Some rescues will host an event that helps to socialize your bunny and enrich their lives. Groups of seven or more spayed and neutered rabbits are let loose in a large play area with edibles and toys.

Please note that most rescues have suspended hoppy hours at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of RHDV2 in the United States.

General rules

Regardless of location, hoppy hours generally have the same set of rules:

Rabbits must be fixed. Rescues vary their required minimum time from neuter or spay from 30 days to 3 months.
Rabbits must be up-to-date with their vaccinations (e.g. RHDV2).
Bunnies that have any illness cannot participate for the safety of all rabbits. (e.g. infections, mites, fleas, ringworm, snuffles, Pasteurella)
Only the parents of the bunny and volunteer bunny bouncers may pick up or hold rabbits. However, you can pet any bunny you wish within reach.
Bunny parents must be there to supervise their bunny at all times.

Should I take my rabbit(s) to a hoppy hour?

The decision to take a rabbit to a hoppy hour will depend on a combination of rabbit personalities and owner risks.

Shy rabbits may not enjoy leaving familiar territory and can be anxious and stressed during and after attending an event.
Spread of contagious diseases such as parasites, EC, and more if the screening process is not thorough.
Risk of injury and extreme stress if a rabbit is bullied by other rabbits.
Taking bonded rabbits to a hoppy hour may stress and break their bond if it was not solid.

United States

California

The Rabbit Haven, San Jose, CA. A sample event. Admission is $8/rabbit.
San Diego House Rabbit Society, San Diego, CA. See the events page for the next event. Admission is $10/rabbit.

San Diego House Rabbit Society. (2015). SDHRS Hoppy Hour 6/20/2015

Manuel Chavez. (2014). October Hoppy Hour

buddy4bunnies. (2014). SDHRS Hoppy Hour

Hoppy Hour at The Bunny Bunch (Montclair) March 2015. Photo © /u/DarkQueen83, used with direct permission.
The Bunny Bunch. You will need to contact them for dates and times. Hoppy Hours are held in two locations - Montclair and Fountain Valley, CA.

bunnybunchspcr. (2014). Hoppy Hour at Bunny Bunch Orange County

Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter, Santa Barbara, CA. You will need to contact them for dates and times. A sample event. Admission is $10/rabbit.

Georgia

Georgia House Rabbit Society, Marietta, GA. See event calendar for dates and times. Admission is $10/rabbit.

Rabbit Ramblings. (2015). GHRS Bunnyfest Hoppy Hour

Illinois

Bunnies United Network, Oak Park, IL. A sample Binky Hour event. Admission is $7/rabbit for BUN members, $10/rabbit for non-members.

The Charitable Rabbit, Pekin, IL. Check their Facebook events for the next Hoppy Time! They occur approximately once every two months. Admission is $5 for one rabbit, $8 for 2 rabbits, $10 for 3+ bunnies, and $5 for each bunniless observer.

Indiana

Indiana House Rabbit Society, Indianapolis, IN. A sample event.

Minnesota

Hoppy Hour at the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, MN put on by the MN Companion Rabbit Society. Photo © /u/justinegin, used with permission. More pics from the event.
Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society has Hoppy Hours every other Sunday. They are held in multiple locations - South St. Paul, Golden Valley, and Minneapolis, MN. Admission is $3/rabbit.

Every other weekend at the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, MN, rabbit owners bring their buns for a little social and play time. Put on by the MN Companion Rabbit Society. Started with just a handful of rabbit 8 years ago today and now gets up to a hundred. All rabbits have been fixed and are in good health. A few designated "bouncers" (in the black shirts) monitor behavior and break up fights and humping. I've been attending for about a year and a half now with my rabbits and still love it. Never gets old :) ^[1]