Adoption Process
If you would like to adopt, the first step is to email us on [email protected] or complete the form below & return it along with photos and dimensions of your current accommodation or rabbit safe room if you already have these.
We will arrange with you a Saturday to come and visit.
Please note all visitors are strictly by appointment only. Please contact us before you visit. The address on the forms below is not the address of the rescue but a private residence.
We will arrange with you a Saturday to come and visit.
Please note all visitors are strictly by appointment only. Please contact us before you visit. The address on the forms below is not the address of the rescue but a private residence.
There are over 67000 rabbits in rescue across the UK as they need a lot more care and space than people realise and don’t like being picked up.
All of our rabbits are neutered and fully vaccinated (including against Vhd2), and vet checked by our exotics vet. As part of our adoption contract you will need to agree to have both vaccines done each year to continue to protect the rabbits from disease.
In accordance with Rabbit Welfare Association Guidelines & research conducted by the PDSA we only rehome to homes that provide 24/7 access to area of at least 60 square feet/3mx2m.
Further information can be found here https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/space-recommendations/
Any outdoor space must be predator safe, made from weld mesh (at least 16g with 1” by 1/2” holes) with a secure roof and also dig proof, either by placing it on hard standing or by putting mesh underneath turf.
The exercise area or run must be at least 3ft/1m tall and permanently attached to a the sheltered area of at least 6ft by 2ft by 2ft. The sheltered area should be two thirds enclosed so it is fully weatherproof and cosy.
If you don't have accommodation we will recommend some, http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/rabbit-housing-suppliers.html
We prefer sheds, aviaries and kennels to your traditional hutch and run as it makes it easier for you to interact with your bunnies and clean them too.
Please do not purchase chicken coop style hutches as they are completely unsuitable. If you have a limited budget a second hand shed or playhouse attached to an aviary can be sourced via selling sites as cheaply as a rabbit hutch from a high street store.
Aviary panels can be purchased cheaply too. Take a look at Facebook selling sites, preloved and eBay.
When searching for second hand housing also look at catteries and kennels as these can be adapted for rabbits just like a shed, playhouse or aviary can be.
There’s lots of inspiration here http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/examples-of-suitable-housing.html and there’s also a link to our Pinterest page.
Please note we will not rehome to a home where the rabbits are left unsupervised loose in the garden.
If you wish to keep rabbits indoors they will still need access to a minimum of 60 square feet, all wires must be trunked or kept out of reach and house plants must also be kept out of reach as they can be poisonous to rabbits if ingested. Some rabbits struggle with slippery laminate flooring so you may need to invest in carpet runners.
The rabbits will need several places to hide with more than one exit such as tunnels or moult and bolt boxes and large water bowl, two extra large hay/litter trays that both rabbits can lay together fully stretched out in if they wish and also willow chew toys. We have a list of recommended toy and food suppliers here http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/food--toy-suppliers.html
Please note that we cannot guarantee that rabbits will not be destructive or that they will still be 100% litter trained in their new home, so new owners must be prepared that this may be a possibility even though the rabbits may be 'perfect’ whilst in rescue.
We would recommend that you read through the On The Hop booklet produced by the Rabbit Welfare Association to see if you will be able to offer the type of home all rabbits deserve. It’s a great source of information for both new and experienced bunny owners alike!
All of our rabbits are neutered and fully vaccinated (including against Vhd2), and vet checked by our exotics vet. As part of our adoption contract you will need to agree to have both vaccines done each year to continue to protect the rabbits from disease.
In accordance with Rabbit Welfare Association Guidelines & research conducted by the PDSA we only rehome to homes that provide 24/7 access to area of at least 60 square feet/3mx2m.
Further information can be found here https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/space-recommendations/
Any outdoor space must be predator safe, made from weld mesh (at least 16g with 1” by 1/2” holes) with a secure roof and also dig proof, either by placing it on hard standing or by putting mesh underneath turf.
The exercise area or run must be at least 3ft/1m tall and permanently attached to a the sheltered area of at least 6ft by 2ft by 2ft. The sheltered area should be two thirds enclosed so it is fully weatherproof and cosy.
If you don't have accommodation we will recommend some, http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/rabbit-housing-suppliers.html
We prefer sheds, aviaries and kennels to your traditional hutch and run as it makes it easier for you to interact with your bunnies and clean them too.
Please do not purchase chicken coop style hutches as they are completely unsuitable. If you have a limited budget a second hand shed or playhouse attached to an aviary can be sourced via selling sites as cheaply as a rabbit hutch from a high street store.
Aviary panels can be purchased cheaply too. Take a look at Facebook selling sites, preloved and eBay.
When searching for second hand housing also look at catteries and kennels as these can be adapted for rabbits just like a shed, playhouse or aviary can be.
There’s lots of inspiration here http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/examples-of-suitable-housing.html and there’s also a link to our Pinterest page.
Please note we will not rehome to a home where the rabbits are left unsupervised loose in the garden.
If you wish to keep rabbits indoors they will still need access to a minimum of 60 square feet, all wires must be trunked or kept out of reach and house plants must also be kept out of reach as they can be poisonous to rabbits if ingested. Some rabbits struggle with slippery laminate flooring so you may need to invest in carpet runners.
The rabbits will need several places to hide with more than one exit such as tunnels or moult and bolt boxes and large water bowl, two extra large hay/litter trays that both rabbits can lay together fully stretched out in if they wish and also willow chew toys. We have a list of recommended toy and food suppliers here http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/food--toy-suppliers.html
Please note that we cannot guarantee that rabbits will not be destructive or that they will still be 100% litter trained in their new home, so new owners must be prepared that this may be a possibility even though the rabbits may be 'perfect’ whilst in rescue.
We would recommend that you read through the On The Hop booklet produced by the Rabbit Welfare Association to see if you will be able to offer the type of home all rabbits deserve. It’s a great source of information for both new and experienced bunny owners alike!
Our housing standards
We ask that all our adopted bunnies live in no less than 60 square foot, indoor or outdoor, available at all times. We cannot accept indoor store-bought cages as they're too small. Most hutches available in pet shops or online are also too small and poorly built!
Outdoors we recommend predator-proof hutches,sheds, runs and aviaries or dog kennel style set ups like the one to the left. Indoors we recommend bunny proofing a room, or indeed your whole house! We can advise on lots of methods for both styles of bunny housing.
We strongly recommend you contact us, come and visit, and talk through your requirements BEFORE you buy your set up! We can recommend manufacturers suitable for your situation.
Outdoors we recommend predator-proof hutches,sheds, runs and aviaries or dog kennel style set ups like the one to the left. Indoors we recommend bunny proofing a room, or indeed your whole house! We can advise on lots of methods for both styles of bunny housing.
We strongly recommend you contact us, come and visit, and talk through your requirements BEFORE you buy your set up! We can recommend manufacturers suitable for your situation.
Bonding
If you are looking for a partner for an existing rabbit we offer a bonding service on site where we can bond you rabbit for you.
The process takes between 7 and 10 days and you’ll receive regular updates during that time and advice on settling in your bunnies back at home.
Please note we do require all existing rabbits to be fully vaccinated and neutered.
We also ask that any previous health issues are also disclosed to us.
In certain circumstances we may allow owners to undertake bonding themselves but usually recommend bonds are conducted by the experienced rescue staff on neutral territory.
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