Rabbit advice sheet

All enquiries regarding animals should be either by phone or visit during the Centre opening hours.

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DIRECTIONS

RSPCA Rabbits for Re-homing

Small Animal Days

All of our Rabbits and G.Pigs are all fostered by dedicated animal carers across North Somerset.

On the 1st Saturday of the month all of our small animals are brought into the Brent Knoll Centre for the day.

The animals are on view for the day during our normal opening times 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4.30pm.

Staff will be on hand to give you any advice on how to care for the animals.

If you see an animal on the website that you are REALLY REALLY interested in then please call us as we can often make arrangements for you to meet that animal prior to a small animal day.

Next Small Animal Day - Sat 3rd April 2010

Rabbit Adoption Fees

Pairs £40.00     Single £25.00

Page Updated 7th March 2010

Single Rabbits

We have several single rabbits available (see below) to be homed with an existing lonely rabbit for viewing on our Small Animal Days at the Brent Knoll Animal Centre , or give us a call on 01278 782671 so you don't miss out.

A mixed pair is best with them both being neutered.

Often we can arrange a home check straight away providing you have a hutch and run all set up and ready!

   As the RSPCA we recommend rabbits to be homed in pairs.

They are very social animals and HATE BEING LONELY, in the wild rabbits naturally live in groups. Human company doesn't come close to a bond another rabbit can give.

A pair of rabbits are so much happier - they will groom one another, play together and snuggle up through the long winter months.

   If anyone has a single bunny looking for a friend then maybe we can help match you up with one of our single rabbits.

Single Male Rabbits

Sorry, we do not have any single male rabbits in our care.

Single Female Rabbits

We have 2 single females called Maggie & Tango.

Maggie Ref WR4061

Black/Chocolate brown Rex, Adult, Spayed Female.

Accommodation Reference - She is a Large sized bunny.

Maggie came to us as a stray

She is a little grumpy until she settles in. Typical of the Rex breed- they are a bit highly strung!!

Maggie is quite wriggly so a home with older teenage, rabbit experienced children or no children at all would be suitable.

Tango Ref WR3952

Beige Lop, 3 - 4 year old, Spayed Female.

Accommodation Reference - She is a Large sized bunny.

Tango is a very chubby rabbit that is on a diet! Her new owners must continue her diet.

She came to us as a very grumpy girl. She has since been spayed and she has calmed down a lot. She still isn't too happy about being picked up so she will need a confident rabbit experienced owner.

She is prone to getting a dirty bottom mainly because she is so chubby she can not wash herself properly. Her new owners need to be prepared that Tango may need the occasional bath (around her back end) to help keep her clean.

She is looking to live with a very calm/easy going neutered male rabbit.

No Children, though may be ok with older/very rabbit experienced children.

Socialising Rabbits

If you are thinking of getting a friend for a lonely bunny there is one thing you must think about - Socialising.

A new rabbit and existing rabbit must NOT be put together straight away. The rabbits need time to get to know each other.

The socialisation process usually takes about 2-4 weeks. Some rabbits do take to each other quite quickly, however some take a few weeks just to get to know each other! This does not mean they will never get on, it just means that you will need lots of patience!!

Here are some tips on how to socialise -

Put your rabbit's hutch and the new rabbit's temporary hutch at right angles so they can see and smell each other at all times.

If you have 2 separate exercise runs then position them next to each other on the lawn for the rabbits to be a bit closer but not together.

If you have 1 large run then divide it into 2 sections with wire, it must be double wired so the rabbits cannot nip at each other .

This can be done for approximately 7 days. Then begin to start introducing rabbits.

When introducing the rabbits for the first few times, do so in a NEUTRAL territory (somewhere both rabbits have NEVER been before). Both rabbits must be supervised at all times.

You could expect to see various behaviours including circling, chasing, mounting and grooming. Some rabbits may appear very quiet yet will be interested in their new companion.

Once you have done this a few times put the rabbits in a run together for a few days, but in separate hutches at night. When they seem very comfortable together in the run they can then be hutched together. A good sign of this is the rabbits snuggling up and grooming each other.

The staff at the RSPCA Brent Knoll Centre can give you more advice on socialising - as its not as daunting as it seems! See us at one of our Small Animal Days or give us a call on 01278 782671.

Pairs of Rabbits

We have 3 pairs of bunnies looking for new homes.

Buddy & Holly

Ref WR3900 & WR3986

Buddy (Left Photo) - Black & White Medium Dutch, Adult, Neutered Male.

Holly (Right Photo) - Agouti, Large Domestic X, Adult, Spayed Female.

Accommodation Reference - Although Buddy is medium sized they do need Large size accommodation due to Holly being big.

This is a lovely extremely friendly pair of bunnies. They are very nosy, they always want to follow you and see what your doing. I (Katy) am actually fostering them and they have been my absolute favourite foster bunnies! Buddy is very easy to pick up and handle. Holly though does struggle when picked up but does enjoy being stoked. She will need an experienced rabbit owner.

They would love a home where they can have lots of space to run around. They currently have free run of an area with lots of trees etc and they are only shut in there hutch at bedtime!.

Children - Older/Teenage.

They are looking for a home TOGETHER

Floss & Bailey

Ref WR3734 & WR3735

Floss - Right in Photo, Domestic rabbit, Brown, 2½ year old, Spayed Female.

Bailey - Left in photo, Domestic, White & Tan, 2 year old, Neutered Male.

Accommodation Reference - They are Large sized bunnies

This is a gorgeous looking pair of bunnies, though are quite grumpy!

They are looking for a very committed home with experienced rabbit owners that can handle them a lot.

Not suitable for Children.
They are looking for a home TOGETHER

Albert & Shelley Ref WR3718 & 3733

Albert (Left Photo) - Large Domestic, Older Adult, Neutered Male.

Shelley - Small Domestic, Older Adult, Spayed Female.

Accommodation Reference - Although Shelley is small they do need Large size accommodation due to Albert being big.

This is probably one of the most deserving pair of bunnies. Although we do not know their exact ages, they are definitely are senior citizens! They came into us separately and have been paired up to have company in their twilight years.

Please could someone find it in their heart to give them a loving home?

Children - Older, as they would really like a quiet life!

They are looking for a home TOGETHER

Rabbit Accommodation

For all of our pairs of bunnies there is an 'Accommodation Reference' This tells you the size of the bunnies so that you can then refer to the accommodation size (listed below) to see what size hutch they require.

Hutches and Runs

The RSPCA has been campaigning for a better standard of living for small animals.

Hutches and runs are the most important part of this. We have guidelines regarding rabbit and guinea pig accommodation.

As far as we are concerned the BIGGER the BETTER!! Converted sheds are great!

Rabbit Hutches (L x W x H)

For a pair of SMALL rabbits (Netherland Dwarfs ONLY). Hutch - 10 sq ft & 2ft high /0.9 sq m & 60cm high (i.e. 5ft x 2ft x 2ft Single Storey) .

For a pair of MEDIUM rabbits. Hutch - 16 sq ft & 2 ft high / 1.44 sq m & 60cm high (i.e. 6ft x3 ft x 2ft Single Storey or 4ft x 2ft x 2ft Double Storey).

For a pair of LARGE rabbits. Hutch - 18 sq ft & 2 ft high / 1.65 sq m & 60cm high (i.e. 6ft x 3ft x 2ft Single Storey or 5ft x 2ft x 2ft Double Storey (20 sq ft)).

These do not have to be the exact measurements for each hutch, as the size can be made up with more than one storey.

PLEASE NOTE that these sizes are GUIDELINES and there will always be an element of flexibility providing good welfare standards can be maintained.

Rabbit Runs (L x W x H)

Run For ANY size pair of rabbits, minimum size - 6ft x 3ft x 2ft / 180cm x 90cm x 60cm (18 sq ft / 1.65 sq m)

PLEASE NOTE that the run size that we have stated is the absolute minimum we would except. Rabbits love to run around and jump in the air and play, so the bigger the run - the better.

We understand that this can all be a bit confusing!

For more details or advice come along to a Small Animal Day or give us a call on 01278 782671.

Can you DONATE a Hutch or Run?

All our rabbits are cared for by fosterers, this means we need accommodation for the bunnies to live in.

If you have an un-used hutch or run of good quality and size, then can you DONATE it to us, PLEASE! If you can deliver it, that would be fantastic, otherwise we can sometimes collect.

The more accommodation we have, the more bunnies we can help.

If you can help us, please give us a call on 01278 782671.

RABBIT FOSTERING

Could you help some bunnies whilst they are looking for a new home?

- see our FOSTERING page -