Hugo’s Speed Dates: Animal Care League

February 14, 2026

It’s been a long while since Hugo’s had a friend.

Exactly a year ago today, we said goodbye to Daisy. Hugo and Daisy were a bonded pair, and she was the one that decided to pick Hugo when she was on her speed dates.

Our joke was always that Daisy was an older lady, and she was robbing the cradle when she chose Hugo (who was very much a younger bunny).

In the last year, it was very clear that Hugo was needing companionship. We were hoping that Hazel would be that companion. But while their first meeting was incredibly positive, Hazel ended up having some latent neurological issues that none of us were aware of. And her health (and her behavior towards Hugo) started to go downhill.

While we were incredibly fortunate that Hazel has turned things around and is better (though she still struggles a lot with balance), she never got back to those original levels with Hugo.

We’ve tried repeating bonding sessions, and Hazel has proven consistently aggressive. During the evenings, when they’re out and about – we keep them separated by some of the gates. Hugo invariably sits near the gate, to be closer to Hazel (again, he’s just really needing a friend) and when he gets too close, HAzel invariably tries to bite at him through the gate.

So as of this time, Hazel is part of our household, and not going anywhere. But that leaves us with the Hugo situation, where he still is very much in need of a companion. We’re convinced Hazel’s just going to be a single bunny, given her aggression… but Hugo is something we still want to address.

Fast forward to today: we’re at Animal Care League, where our friend and Bunny Expert Liz Rench works. Today, he’s set up to meet two potential bunnies: Penny and LadyFred.

Penny and Hugo, first meeting.

Spending some snuggle time in the same litter box.

Penny and Hugo, getting close.

For this initial meeting, Hugo was really laid back. Penny (who is very young) was very anxious and nervous. She would get close, and then run away at the slightest movement or noise.

I was worried that Hugo might react aggressively towards this, but he was just super chill. Every time Penny ran away, he just kind of sat there and was just perfectly fine about it.

For the next rabbit, LadyFred, things did not go so well. I didn’t take any photos, as their session was somewhat short. LadyFred was more confident, but something about their interaction made Hugo less friendly. Hugo ended up biting at her, and got a bit of fur/skin in the process (poor LadyFred).

After allowing Hugo to settle down, we brought Penny back in. The big question we all wondered was: how would Hugo react? Would he return to being relaxed and chill, like he was initially? Or would he continue to exhibit some aggressive behaviors?

A slower moment, back with Penny. I’m glad to report that Hugo returned to being super relaxed. And for all the flurry and spastic movements that Penny had, he was perfectly composed and behaved like a gentleman.

I think I’m still a bit wary, from all the attempts we had with bonding Hugo and Hazel. Things would go well for a while, but invariably Hazel would do something aggressive… and Hugo would be provoked into reacting back, aggressively.

So on arriving today, I wasn’t sure who we’d see: the relaxed Hugo that we know, or perhaps someone a bit more aggressive?

Delighted to say that with Penny, he was his usual, laid back self. And on top of that, Penny started to seem a little more confident (and a little less wary of Hugo), on their second meeting.

Liz, siting with the bunnies.

On the whole, seeing neutral behavior is a positive thing. Liz and I both understand that with Penny, she seems really skittish and unsure how to be around other bunny rabbits. So it’s going to take some time for her to get comfortable being around Hugo, to determine whether or not she likes him. But the lack of aggression seems a very positive sign.

Liz and I talked, and we were willing to take on Penny as a foster, to see how she fares.

With another bunny in the house, we had to do some moving around. Because we can’t put them in the same pen together just yet… we moved Hugo and Penny upstairs, to the office. And for now, Hazel will remain downstairs in her area.

It’s a bit weird now, having to prepare three plates of food (where a year ago today, I only had one plate). This will be an adjustment for all of us, it seems.