Current Animals Here at the Rescue
Scroll down to the foot of the page for guinea pigs
WHEN RABBITS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ADOPTED, THEIR ENTRY CAN STILL BE FOLLOWED ON THE "MY NEW HOME" SECTION, WHERE ANY UPDATES THAT I RECEIVE WILL BE POSTED, TOGETHER WITH ANY PHOTOS.
If you need to find a new home for your rabbit, have a look at the re-homing article listed under the "Information" section. Please note owners of rabbits that are not fully vaccinated will be asked to contribute £5 per vaccination (£10 total) per rabbit before we will accept them for re-homing.
We have rabbits and guinea pigs coming in regularly so please phone me for the latest details on 01373 864222. New rabbits and guinea pigs usually appear on the animals available page within 24 hours of arrival. They are re-homed in compatible pairs, but we usually have single rabbits available for match-ups with your lonely bunny if required.
What you need to adopt rabbit from CottonTails
You will need a large hutch (at least 5' long) with the run permanently attached at all times, so the rabbits do not need to rely on you for their exercise. As the rabbits must have access to their run even at night, the run must be safe to make sure the rabbits can't dig out out or foxes to dig in. Siting the hutch and run on a patio is often the safest idea, and this also makes cleaning out easier too.
A Wendy House or suitable shed leading onto a safe garden is also suitable, so long as the rabbits are not shut in to a hutch within the shed at night. Please note that most two-storey hutch-run units (with ramps) are NOT suitable for rabbits as not only are they not big enough but the rabbits can receive serious injury from twisting or slipping on the ramps. You will find several excellent examples of rabbit accommodation ideas in the rabbit care information article on this website, and below you can see a photo of the sort of accommodation we use here at CottonTails. Ideally the run should be bigger if the rabbits are not going to be running around the garden during the day. Please note that the run top has been removed so you can see the set up better, but usually the top is on securely otherwise the rabbits could jump out!
The tops that we use here are made of plastic sheeting (the type used on conservatory roofs) attached to a frame of wooden batten, secured by the clips you use on dog leads (available from pet shops). The catches should be heavy buty bolts to prevent foxes from opening them, and the wire should be heavy duty (not chicken wire) and securely attached to the frame so that the rabbits cannot chew their way out or predators push their way in.
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The photo below shows the same hutch with the run lid in place.
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You may wish to try the following link, but make sure you order the 6 foot hutch with run, as there are smaller sizes available which are not big enough for a pair of rabbits. If you do order one, make sure you mention where you got the information from. A photo of the accommodation is on the rabbit care section of this website:
House Rabbits
I am happy for rabbits to be adopted as house rabbits, but you need to be aware of how destructive rabbits are, that many will still leave droppings on the floor even if they are good with their litter training, and that they still need access to daylight on a regular basis to keep them healthy. Also, they must not be shut into a cage as this defeats the whole object of making sure they have access to exercise 24 hours a day! However, being confined to a particular room is practical and will give a pair lots of room to exercise and play. They are healthier if allowed access to the outside on a regular basis. Contact me for advice if you would like to consider adopting rabbits as house pets if this is a new concept to you, and I will be delighted to help.
Click on the link below to view a short video about what you need to provide to be able to adopt rabbits from CottonTails. You will also find many useful tips about rabbit welfare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhLYMBEEXvk
Video link about diet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa1cRkr1sbU
You will also find other useful video links about topics such as matching-up your bunny (for example Jll meets Leo parts 1 and 2, and Bella and Major) on the video links page.
If you are bringing your lonely neutered rabbit for a match-up, you will find it useful to read the match-up article on the website as it explains the basics of what to expect when matching up rabbits. Basically you would bring your bunny with you and we would put him or her with the new friend in a neutral pen together and watch them for a while, usually about 20 minutes or so. This is usually long enough to tell if the pairing has a chance of working or not. On the basis that all goes well, they then travel back home together in the same carrier and then into neutral territory that you have prepared earlier, somewhere your rabbit has never been before such as a shed, garage, conservatory, spare room etc. It needs to be a safe area that they can be together for a few days, but must be big enough that they can get away from each other if they want to (that means not shut into a hutch!). Once they have settled down and bonded they can be moved into the area you want them to live in permanently. Please note that it is not a good idea to attach a water bottle to the carrier or cage during transit as the water bottle will leak due to the movement and the rabbit will get soaked! If it is a warm day and you have a long journey, stop and offer the bottle whilst stationary.
The Minimum donation fee is £40 for male rabbits, £45 for females, making a male/female pair £85. This includes neutering, full vaccination (VHD and Myxomatosis). Our rabbits are also fully screened for dental disease whilst under anaesthetic for neutering, although this does not guarantee that dental disease will not appear in later life. Rabbits with dental disease or temperament problems are not offered for adoption.
As the parasite E. cuniculi is now known to be present in at least 50% of all rabbits (not just those here at CottonTails but all pet rabbits), we now give medication (a 9 day course of Panacur) to every rabbit under the age of 3 months as a precaution prior to adoption.
The minimum donation fee for guinea pigs is £10 each, £15 for a neutered male. Guinea pigs are available in compatible pairs or small groups, or as singles if needed to match with a lonely guinea pig. The guinea pig section is towards the foot of the animals available page.
Click on photos to enlarge, jump down for guineapigs by clicking on the link below.
Rabbits for Adoption top
- SOOTY
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Sooty is now well into his twilight years but is missing his sister, who passed away very recently. This is what his current owner wrote about him: Many thanks for telephone conversation this morning regarding Sooty who's sister Silky died on Monday.
Sooty is a neutered male Dwarf Lop and his date of birth is 12/07/2004.
I took him to the vet on Tuesday for a check and they said he was very fit and healthy. He had his VHD vaccination also on Tuesday and he is due his Myxo vaccination at the end of March.
We are happy to keep him and he is eating well but if you find a suitable older companion for him to go to then we will do what is best for him.
Regards,
Ruth If someone has a lonely neutered female who would benefit from a new friend, then get in touch straight away and I will pass the details on to Ruth, Sooty's owner. I will be able to assist with the match-up if required.
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- OKE - a giant French Lop, reserved
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Okey is a large neutered French lop male, 18 months old. He came from a loving home as a house bunny, but sadly a change of circumstances meant he has to find a new home. He can either be adopted as a house bunny on his own (so long as he has lots of human interaction and attention), or he could be matched with a suitable lonely neutered female.    Oke recently went out on trial as a friend for an absolutely huge neutered giant female, but sadly he was terrified of her and she did not exactly make him welcome! As a result he is returning on Saturday 28th January and will be available for adoption from Monday 30th onwards. He is a lovely rabbit and will make a very entertaining pet. UPDATE: Oke is reserved pending a successful match with a lonely neutered female house bunny.
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- ZEB
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Zeb is 18 months old and is a neutered male. He has now been dental checked and vaccinated and is now ready for matching with a lonely neutered female. He is a quiet and gentle bunny, well mannered and uses his litter tray very well.  
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- TED
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Ted is 18 months old and is a neutered male. He has now been dental checked and vaccinated and is ready for matching with a lonely neutered female. He is proving to be a real character and loves rearrranging his hutch furniture on a regular basis! He will make a very entertaining and friendly pet.  
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- PETER
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Peter is about 4 months old and is neutered and ready to match with a lonely neutered female. His mum was a lionhead but she escaped whilst still in her previous home, and a month after she returned she gave birth to a litter of babies, presumably fathered by a wild rabbit. We have had several half-wild rabbits over the years, and they often turn out to be highly intelligent, lively, cheeky little devils! Peter will remain small, and he is developing nicely into a really entertaining pet. 
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- JINX AND MIDGE
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Jinx and Midge are a bonded pair of brothers, 2 and a half years old. They are dental checked, vaccinated and neutered and are ready for adoption. They are a delightful pair and will make very good pets. I personally think they are absolutely lovely, one of the nicest pairs we have had in all year. 
  
Video link: http://youtu.be/SzGzLgOhdzY
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- SCOOBIE
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Scoobie is a pretty lionhead x lop male, 1 year old. He has now been neutered and will be ready to match with a lonely neutered female as soon as he has recovered. 
Video link: http://youtu.be/5ox-l7DeD7o
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- BELL
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Bell is a black and white butterfly lop female, estimated to be about 1 year old. She was a stray, caught with one other rabbit by a caring person who was worried about their welfare. Bell repaid her by having a litter of 9 babies a couple of weeks later! Bell is booked to have her checks and spay on the 22nd February, and all being well she will be available to match with a lonely neutered male from Monday 27th February onwards. Photos to follow.
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- JESSICA AND NUTMEG
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Jessica and Nutmeg are 11 months old and are sisters. Sadly as female pairs rarely work in the long term even if they are neutered, they will be offered for adoption as suitable fronds for lonely neutered males once they have had their checks and spay operations. This is booked for the 22nd February and they will be available for matching from Monday 27th February onwards. They are quite large rabbits (not giants) and seem to have good personalities! They are being cared for by foster carer Lisa until shortly before their neutering date. 
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- ROSIE AND EMILY
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Rosie (chinchilla) and Emily (dark eyed white) are sisters but will be available as individual match-ups for lonely neutered males once they have had their dental check and spay, booked for the 22nd February. Their brother Billy has already been adopted as a friend for a lonely neutered female called Fluffy (listed in the My New Home section). The girls are not going to be big, as at 16 weeks old they are still quite small. They are a real delight, nosey and lively and into everything given half a chance! 
  Rosie is now reserved pending a successful dental check/spay and match with a lonely neutered male.
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- MEG AND BUTTONS - both out on trial
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Meg and Buttons are the sisters of Peter (listed separately) and they are about 17 weeks old. They are now neutered and are available to match individually with a lonely neutered male each. They will remain quite small,. See Peter's entry for background information.    Meg and Buttons have both gone out on trial as individual friends for a lonely neutered male each. The initial match-ups went well so I am hoping they have found their new homes.
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- FREDDIE AND BARNEY - still here!
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Freddie (on the left of the photo) and Barney are a bonded pair of neutered brothers. They were very overweight when they first arrived but are slimming down nicely and are much more lively as a result. They are almost 3 years old and are lovely bunnies and will make excellent pets, even for first-time owners.    
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- BONDED PAIR PIPSTER AND BUSTER
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This lovely pair are due to arrive around the 19th February. Buster is a neutered male and Pipster will be spayed on the 22nd February. They are 2 years old. More photos to follow. 
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- CARRIERS
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I have several carriers of various sizes that are surplus to requirements. A donation of around £4 per carrier would be appreciated.
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- BELLA and MAJOR - still waiting patiently
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Bella, a 1 year old neutered female, is bonded to Major, a 1 year old neutered male. Bella was rather difficult to bond, but after a week of ups and downs, they finally accepted each other and now are best friends. Bella is still the boss of course! They are a lovely pair and will make great pets, very lively and entertaining. 
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 Video link: http://youtu.be/1mikCh53WFo
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Guinea Pigs for Adoption top |
- SANDY, DINKY, HOLLY, DUSTY AND MAISIE
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This group of 5 females are aged as follows: 2-3 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 3-4 years, and 2-3 years old. Sandy is orange, Dinky is brown, white and orange 3rd photo down), Holly is tri coloured (2nd photo down), Dusty is agouti and orange, and Maisie is agouti, orange and white. I am expecting to sub-divide this group into either a two and a three, or as individuals as match-ups for lonely females or neutered males. As knowledgeable piggie enthusiasts will know, guinea pigs are prone to various lumps and bumps which are very common and more often than not cause no problems whatsoever. It is with this in mind that I report that Holly has several small fatty lumps dotted around her tummy, none of which are causing her any problems but her new owner will need to be aware of their presence.     
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- TILLY, SNOWDROP AND NIBBLES
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This trio of females are 2 years, 1 years and 3 years old respectively. Tilly is the tri-coloured one, Snowdrop is the chinchilla and white one, and Nibbles the chinchilla female. They appear to be in good health and certainly have good appetites! I don't think they will be here for long as already there has been lots of interest in them. 
 
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- BLONDIE
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Blondie, estimated to be about 1 year old, came in as part of a group of four, which was split into a pair and two singles due to fighting. Although initially it appeared that Blondie and his friend were getting on very well, after a few days it became apparent that Blondie was the boss and was making life for his little buddy rather unhappy. As a result, Blondie will return shortly and will be neutered on the 22nd February, and will be available for matching with a lonely female from 22nd March onwards.  
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- ROCKY - reserved
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Rocky is estimated to be around 1-2 years old. He and three other males were owned by an elderly lady who has sadly had to go into a home and no one was able to offer homes for them. Rocky is a stocky fellow and quite large and very handsome! He has now been neutered and will be safe to match with a female from the 18th February onwards. He will be able to live side by side with a female with a partition in place up until then so they can get to know each other in the meantime if this is required.   Rocky has now been reserved pending a successful match with a lonely female.
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- GARRY (also known as Fluffy) - reserved
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Garry is 14 months old and was living happily with his two brothers until recently, when they started to squabble. Garry has therefore come in to find a new home, and he has now been neutered. He will be ready to match with a lonely female from 18th February onwards, but would be able to live with a partition in between him and a female in the meantime if required.  
Garry has now been reserved by a lady called Suzanne pending a successful match with a lonely female guinea pig.
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- INDOOR CAGES available
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I have two inside cages available, one measures approximately 39" (99cm) long, 20" (51cm) wide, 18" (46cm) high (similar to the photo but with a beige base). I also have a similar cage but it has a clear plastic domed lid with a wire mesh centre panel on the top, which would be ideal if you need to keep the animal warmer as the heat would stay in more (looks similar to an incubator). It has a blue base but would only suit one guinea pig or possibly two on a temporary basis. A donation of £5 for the smaller cage and £20 for the larger one would be appreciated.
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Thank you.top
