Rabbit Residence Rescue, based near Royston, Hertfordshire, are hoping 2023 won’t just be the Lunar Year of the Rabbit, but also Year of the Rescue Rabbit.
For the rescue, and like many other animal organisations up and down the country, 2022 was extremely difficult and there seems to be no end in sight. It has seen a 200% increase in demand to take in rabbits, and a 85% drop in applications to adopt. They currently have 70 rabbits in their care, and another 250 on the waiting list to come in. Lea Facey, Rescue Manager, has never seen demand like it.
Lea says: “We would urge anyone thinking of bringing rabbits into their family to first ensure they’ve done plenty of research from reputable sources, such as the Rabbit Welfare Association. They can be a huge commitment and have a lifespan of at least 10-12 years. It is estimated over 67,000 rabbits go into rescue each year, so please adopt, don’t shop. Rescue rabbits will already be up to date on vaccinations, already be spayed or castrated and the rescue will know the personalities of each rabbit to match to your family. Our rescue will also offer lifetime support and advice to our adoptees.”
Lea would like anyone considering rabbits to first think about the following three points:
Space
Rabbits need a lot more than a hutch at the end of the garden. Sadly only one in 20 new applications to adopt have the correct housing ready for their new pets. Some adoptees are happy to add to and expand their set ups to adopt, but the rescue can also receive abuse when offering advice to properly house rabbits.
Rabbit Residence Rescue abides by the Rabbit Welfare Association’s recommendation of at least 60 square foot of space always available to rabbits. If they’re kept outside this should be fully weather, predator and escape proofed. They should never be allowed to free roam in an open garden unsupervised. If they’re kept indoors they’re best having a large area of a room, a whole room, and some rabbits even get full free roam. Rabbits are naturally destructive so indoors and out requires proper proofing to ensure they cannot injure themselves or chew or dig their way to areas that are unsafe for them. There are lots of excellent images of indoor and outdoor set ups to inspire you on the rescue’s website.
Cost
Rabbits should never be considered a cheap pet. Good outdoor housing can cost upwards of £500 and food, including large amounts of hay, can cost over £50 a month. Rabbits need an annual vaccination against Myxomatosis and two variants of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (also known as VHD or RHD), this can cost over £120 for a pair of rabbits. Rabbits can get sick very suddenly with a number of ailments that will require immediate vet attention, out of hours vets for animals like rabbits, which are classed as exotics, can easily run into the hundreds even before treatment or medication. The rescue recommends your rabbits are insured to help cover any of these unplanned vet bills.
Time
Bringing rabbits into your home can be a big time commitment. They will regular monitoring several times a day to ensure they have food, water and are healthy, as they are prey animals will naturally try to hide any illnesses. Happy, cheeky, inquisitive and sociable rabbits can only happen if you have time to sit with them every day, regardless of weather or other busy social engagements. While they can be perfectly happy if you’re working 9-5 as long as they have space and things to do and you have time to see to them in the morning and evening, they cannot be left alone for you to go away for a night, or a long weekend. Finding responsible reputable rabbit sitters for holidays or time away can be hard work and even expensive, with good holiday boarding booking up a year in advance. While the rescue offers holiday boarding, as well as adoption, they are already fully booked for half terms and the summer holiday for 2023.
If you are thinking of bring rabbits into your family, you can contact the Rabbit Residence Rescue for advice via their website and see the rabbits available for adoption at http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk.
