CottonTails® Rabbit and Guinea Pig Rescue
Annual Report 2007
[One of the rabbits that arrived at the centre in 2007]
CottonTails® Rabbit and Guinea Pig Rescue
Annual Report 2007
Charity Number 1078850
www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk
Established in 1993
Main Name: CottonTails®
Working Name: CottonTails® Rescue
Charitable Objects: To relieve the suffering of rabbits and other animals who are in need of care and attention in particular by providing and maintaining suitable accommodation for the reception and care of unwanted rabbits and other animals.
To advance the education of the public in the care and ownership of animals.
General
Financially, 2007 has proved to be a turning point for the charity. Due to several successful grant applications, we finished the year with a modest surplus.
The CottonTails® web site has gone from strength to strength, the redevelopment making it much easier to make changes and introduce new sections. Since the new-look site was launched in September, we have had over 42,200 visits and many favourable comments. Furthermore, I have introduced video footage into the site of the rabbits and guinea pigs available for adoption as I was confident that this would really bring them “to life” and show glimpses of their personalities. It is now routine to film as well as to photograph all available animals, together with commentary to inform potential new owners of the relevant details. This has proved to be a great success, with rabbits finding excellent new homes purely on the strength of people viewing the films. I have also made films about the type of accommodation required before adopting a rabbit, as well as correct diet and other relevant information.
The telephone advice line continues to be well used, with over 2,200 callers leaving messages to request help. 30% of these needed advice, 30% were adoption enquiries, 27% needed to find new homes for their pet, and 13% were miscellaneous enquiries. The surprisingly high rate of adoption enquiries is probably due to our reputable match-up service which has proved once again to be very popular and well used.
RABBITS
During 2007, 176 rabbits were taken in, and the waiting list did not clear for most of the year, resulting in a steady trickle of unwanted rabbits and guinea pigs. It seems to be getting harder each year to find good homes, and as no healthy rabbit is put to sleep at CottonTails® this means that I have to wait for a pair to be re-homed before I can take in the next rabbit from the waiting list. I have been very fortunate this year, however, to have an experienced foster carer who has agreed to take one litter of babies at a time and care for them until they were old enough to return for neutering and adoption. This has helped to free a hutch that would be tied up for several weeks. Next year I will have an additional foster carer offering a similar arrangement, which will be very helpful.
Statistics
Age – Most (39%) of the rabbits taken in were aged between 1-3 years, 28% were less than 6 months old, 18% were 6 months-1 year, and 15% were 3 years and older.
Sexes – There was very little difference in the number of males versus females taken in, 48% being males and 52% females.
Adoption timescale - 68% were found new homes within 1 month, which is impressive considering all the rabbits have to be neutered and vaccinated before adoption. 27% were found homes within 3 months,and the remaining 5% within 6 months.
Breeds - Lops comprised 42% of the intake, upright eared rabbits making up the remaining 58%.
In common with previous years, frequent occurrence of dental disease (malocclusion) was encountered, with 24% of the intake found to have significant teeth abnormalities. Our neutering policy continued as before, with rabbits of both sexes being routinely castrated or spayed at reduced cost by the RSPCA in Bristol. Vaccination against VHD and Myxomatosis was given to all rabbits prior to adoption.
Our very good reputation for matching lonely bunnies continued during 2007, with 60% of all the rabbits being sent out as new partners, compared to 40% adopted as established pairs.
Our catchment area has proved to be relatively wide, with 57% of people adopting rabbits or guinea pigs coming from Wiltshire (including Frome), 23% from Bristol, 7% from Somerset and Dorset, 8% from Bath, and 5% from other areas. For people who wanted to re-home their rabbit or guinea pig with us, 59% came from Wiltshire, 16% from Bristol, 12% from Somerset and Dorset, 9% from Bath, and 4% from other areas. This is consistent with figures for 2006.
GUINEA PIGS
The intake of guinea pigs for 2007 was 55. Most of them (96%) were adopted within 1 month of arrival, the remaining 4% being re-homed within 3 months. As we were not asked to take any large groups of guinea pigs for the last two years, the total intake was about half of that in 2005 when we were asked to rescue several large groups of 40 plus.
Of the total intake, 45% were male, 55% females. All single males were routinely castrated so that they could be matched with females and placed for adoption in pairs or as match-ups. Of the total number of guinea pigs adopted, 38% were found homes as match-ups, and 62% re-homed as pairs. 35% were aged between 1-3 years, 33% less than 6 months, 20% 3 years and over, and 12% were between 6 months – 1 year.
ACCOUNTS
Receipts
(There are two charts to illlustrate the accounts but the web site is putting up a fight about letting me include them, but I am working on it!)
Total income for 2007 was £26,838.60, including bank interest and direct bank donations. Gift Aid has again proved useful, providing us with over £2000 of extra funding which will be included in the accounts for 2008 as we apply for the award at the start of each year. Several individuals and organisations have been invaluable to the continuation of CottonTails financially. I would like to give a very big thank you to each and every one who helped even in a small way, and my sincere apologies if I have omitted anyone from the list.
Organisations
Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust (£5000)
Pets At Home Charitable Foundation (£2500)
The Animal Defence Trust (£1500)
The Edna Smylie Memorial Fund (£1500)
Animal Affairs (£700)
The Michael and Shirley Hunt Charitable Trust (£500)
The Barry Green Memorial Fund (£500)
Marchig Animal Welfare Trust (£300)
The Face Charitable Foundation (£200 direct to vets)
The Virgin Mobile Charity Team (£100)
The Shires Pet Day (£68.44)
Individuals:
Jane Merrick, Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, Jane Atkins, Ian Nash and partner Alison (Bath half marathon sponsorship), T.J. Jenkins, Maria Suzanne Flay, White Rabbit Restaurant in Westbury, Veterinary Hospital Group, Carol and Barrie Nash, Mrs. H.L. Whitby, Janet Carrington, Martin Jones, Mrs. Kennedy, Rod and Sally Sterland, Stephanie Bloxham, James Arrowsmith-Brown, Sue Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Semple, Miss Wills, Susan Masters, Barbara Coe, Andrew Ball, Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins, Dennyse and David Clerk, Tim Jenkins (in memory of Arthur), Mrs. Ware, Marni. Road Angel Group, Lucy Newbury, Lindsay Holland, Kate Jackson, Hazel Lambert, Juliet Cuss, Martin Franklin, Paul Derrick (PJD Decorating), Susan Sedley, Heather Hueston, Christine Muddiman, Dennyse Lindon.
Payments
Our total expenditure for 2007 was £15260.57. Notable expenses included 11 new guinea pig cages (rat proof), new answerphone, major computer upgrade, increased Insurance (a change in the law means that we now need Employers Liability as well as Public Liability Insurance), and photocopier repairs.
As a direct result of successful grant applications, CottonTails® ended the year in credit by £11,578.03.
Acknowledgements
CottonTails® could not continue its valuable work if it was not for the excellent support from some wonderful people who have given help in various ways. Sincere apologies for any omissions:
The RSPCA veterinary team headed by Damian Pacini in Bristol who carry out our neutering operations and most of our vaccinations, and without whom we could not continue.
Dennyse, Kathy, Donna, Hazel, Conrad, Trude, Siobhan, Maria and Claire who all took at least one turn to transport rabbits and guinea pigs to and from the vets in Bristol for neutering.
Hazel, Barry, Mr. and Mrs. Atkins, and Martin Franklin for assisting with the hutch repairs
Carol and Barrie who continue helping to cleaning out on Saturdays and contribute so much to the rescue.
Ruth and Stephen who also help on a Saturday morning when they can.
Steve who has been a big help in supplying us with hay and other items, upgrading the computer, suggesting ideas and providing excellent foster care for several litters of baby rabbits.
Jon Humphrey for his patience and support with issues relating to the web site, and Sue Hunter for enthusiastically providing suggestions for publicity and awareness campaigns.
Last but not least, my husband Francis who not only provides the transport for the frequent waste disposal trips, medication, food and bedding pickups from the vet and rabbit/guinea pig rescues but also puts up with the inconvenience of living alongside a rabbit rescue centre!
CottonTails® 2007 annual report written and compiled by Mairwen Guard, MBE, Trustee.
