Rabbit Insurance in New York City
The carriers, the vets, the legal landscape, and what NYC rabbit owners need to know that most guides won't tell you.
Two Carriers Cover Rabbits in New York
Unlike dogs and cats — where dozens of carriers compete — the rabbit insurance market in New York is extremely limited. Two carriers offer real accident-and-illness coverage: Nationwide and MetLife. All others (Pets Best, Lemonade, Fetch, ASPCA, Spot, Trupanion, Pumpkin) cover dogs and cats only.
Nationwide: $25–$45/month for NYC rabbits, $7,500 annual limit, 70–90% reimbursement, 14-day waiting periods. Call 1-844-397-8937 for a quote — no online option for exotics.
MetLife: Competitive option with 0-day accident waiting and $10,000 annual limit. NYC premium rates should be confirmed on your quote call — 1-800-GET-MET8.
Read our full Nationwide rabbit insurance review →
The Pre-Existing Condition Timing Rule
The single most important fact about rabbit insurance in New York: enroll before your rabbit's first vet visit. Any condition documented before your policy start date is permanently excluded. For rabbits — where GI stasis and dental disease are the most common expensive conditions — this timing issue can make the difference between a useful policy and a nearly useless one.
The 2024 NYC Retail Sales Ban
Effective December 15, 2024, New York State law prohibits pet shops from selling rabbits. Pet shops can only host shelter animals for adoption. This means:
- You can no longer buy a rabbit from a NYC pet store
- Rescue and adoption waitlists have grown for popular breeds
- USDA-licensed breeders and private small-scale breeders remain legal sources
Rabbit Rescue & Rehab (NYC HRS chapter) — rabbitrescueandrehab.org — is the best starting point for adoptions and breeder referrals in NYC.
RHDV2 in New York
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (RHDV2) has been confirmed in New York City. The Medgene vaccine is legally available in NY and offered by AMC and LIBEVC. Two-dose initial series at $30–$65 per dose. Vaccination is considered essential for all NYC rabbits — the virus spreads via contaminated shoes and clothing, not just direct animal contact.
Full RHDV2 guide for New York rabbit owners →
NYC Rabbit Veterinarians
Animal Medical Center (AMC)
510 E 62nd St, Manhattan, NY 10065
HRS ListedPremier NYC exotic hospital. ABVP-certified specialists including Katherine Quesenberry, DVM — a pioneer in rabbit medicine. Full 24/7 critical care, advanced dentistry, oncology, CT imaging. Financial assistance program at amcny.org/financial-assistance.
Hours: 24/7 emergency; exotic specialist service during business hours
Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine
568 Columbus Ave, Manhattan, NY 10024
HRS ListedExotics-only Manhattan practice. Does not see dogs or cats — no predator-prey stress for rabbits. HRS-listed. Rabbit dental and GI specialists on staff.
Hours: 9am–7pm, 7 days/week
Long Island Bird & Exotics Vet Clinic (LIBEVC)
333 Great Neck Rd, Great Neck, NY 11021
HRS ListedExotics-only clinic on Long Island. On-site CT scanner (critical for rabbit dental root assessment). Offers RHDV2 vaccination clinics. VIP membership ~$998/year covering exams and basic care. No dogs or cats in the building.
Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–9pm; Fri–Sat 9am–5pm; after-hours emergency line until midnight
Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS)
163 S Service Rd, Plainview, NY 11803
HRS ListedABVP-certified exotic specialists on staff. Full specialty hospital capability for complex rabbit cases including surgery and internal medicine.
Hours: 24/7 emergency
Catnip & Carrots Veterinary Hospital
2056 Jericho Tpke, New Hyde Park, NY 11040
HRS ListedRabbit-specific surgical capabilities. HRS-listed. Serves Nassau County and Queens area.
Hours: Call for current hours
Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics
709 Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills, NY 10507
HRS ListedABVP-certified avian and exotic practice in Westchester. HRS-listed. Serves northern suburbs and Connecticut border.
Hours: Call for current hours
Cornell University Hospital for Animals
Ithaca, NY (approximately 4 hours from NYC)
Primary academic referral center for NY State. Manages the most complex rabbit cases — neurological, multi-organ, oncology. Emergency visits start at ~$815; multi-day hospitalization $2,500–$4,500. Worth the drive for cases local specialists cannot resolve.
Hours: 24/7 emergency
Get Coverage Before Your First Visit
The HRS vet list and the vets above are excellent. Just remember: any visit documented before insurance enrollment is a potential pre-existing exclusion. Enroll now, then book your wellness visit.
Get a Personalized Quote