Creating better tomorrows for all pet rabbits
Rehoming Rabbits
The RWAF is an educational and campaigning organisation; we do not routinely rescue or rehome rabbits.
Sadly, we receive lot of enquiries about rehoming so have put together the following guidelines advising how to find good homes for unwanted rabbits.
‘Free to a good home’
Please never advertise rabbits in a local paper or pet shop as ‘free to good home’ because there are many horror stories about what has happened to rabbits given away in this manner. If you are rehoming them privately, i.e. to a friend or colleague, make sure you ‘vet’ any potential homes.
Checklist
These are our rehoming guidelines, use this as a check list and ensure that:
- Rabbits are going to be neutered (if not already) and kept with the company of another friendly, neutered rabbit (If you have 2 rabbits living together happily DO NOT split them up to rehome them)
- They are going to have spacious accommodation – ie a 6ft hutch and access to a safe exercise area every day.
- They will have a healthy hay-based diet
They will be vaccinated at the correct intervals. - They are not going to be a children’s pet – an adult should always be responsible for any pets in the household. So make sure that the adult is willing to take them on and care for them for the next 10 years.
- The new owner can afford to care for them properly, make sure they know the cost of food, vet bills and holiday care.
- Do not rehome rabbits to live a solitary life, where they are locked in a rabbit hutch for most of the time. This is cruel.
However you advertise the rabbits, please make sure that you ask questions of the potential owners and satisfy yourself that they are going to a good home. Do not let the rabbits go to the first person that enquires about them, make sure you are doing the best for them and that they will have a happy and secure life ahead of them.
To enhance your chance of finding a new home ensure your rabbits’ vaccinations are up to date and that they are neutered, this will increase the chance that someone will be able to integrate a new arrival into their home. Promoting responsible ownership starts at home.
Contacts
If you are not going to rehome them privately you could contact:
Your local vet
They may know of a suitable client who is looking for another bunny, and most vets are happy to let you advertise them for rehoming on their notice board.
Local rescue centres
They may have space to be able to take them, or may get back in touch with you if they do not have space immediately. You may have to ring round a few before you find one that can help, as unfortunately most rescue centres are inundated with unwanted rabbits.
If a rescue is unable to take them on then please be understanding. Rescues do what they can to find good homes for abandoned rabbits but they simply do not have the space or resources to help with every request they receive.
Websites
Check out Rescue Review, Save a Fluff and Rabbit Rehome for help with finding your nearest rescue and advice on rehoming.