Rescue Hare Goes Wild Exploring His New Home

Most rescues take a little time to settle in — but Rufus the hare wasted no time showing how thrilled he was to have a new home.

After being rehomed when his previous caretakers moved away, Rufus needed a safe place where he could live comfortably under watchful care. His new family prepared a spacious indoor enclosure, complete with room to stretch, relax, and feel secure. But when the door finally opened and Rufus had the chance to explore? He absolutely exploded with joy.

The rescued hare tears around the room in lightning-fast sprints, leaping, spinning, and hopping in wild bursts of energy. His movements are so quick and expressive that it almost looks like he’s putting on a show, bounding from one side of the room to the other while his new family laughs in the background.

Watching him zoom around isn’t just entertaining — it’s a glimpse into what freedom means for an animal that once had an uncertain future.

Watch the video below to see Rufus celebrate his second chance at life with the most spectacular “happy dance” you’ll ever see.

💡 Did You Know?

Hares are often confused with rabbits, but they’re quite different in behavior and biology. Unlike rabbits, which are usually smaller and more social, hares are larger, built for speed, and tend to live more independently. Their powerful back legs allow them to sprint up to 45 miles per hour, making them one of the fastest animals of their size.

The dramatic leaps and spins you see Rufus performing are natural expressions of energy and excitement, often called “binkies” in rabbits — a behavior that hares also share when they’re happy.

Another big difference? Baby hares, called leverets, are born fully furred with their eyes open, ready to run within hours of birth. Rabbits, by contrast, are born hairless and blind, relying heavily on their burrows for protection.

In the wild, hares thrive in open fields and grasslands, relying on speed and agility rather than hiding to escape predators. That’s why Rufus’s new home needed careful planning — with enough space to stretch those legs and the security of an indoor enclosure to keep him safe from dangers he’d face outside.

Seeing him bound, spin, and dash is more than just cute — it’s the pure joy of a rescued animal finally able to express his true nature.