Carrot Tops Rabbit Rescue

News

We wish all our website visitors a very Happy New Year!

Happy 2012 from Carrot Tops.

Rabbits abandoned at rescue

Two female rabbits have been abandoned at the rescue in an old carrying case. These are now available for re-homing.

We're now on Facebook

Carrot Tops is now on Facebook - you can visit the site here.

Thanks

Carrot Tops Rabbit Rescue would like to express its sincere thanks for the very generous help and assistance provided by Secret World Wildlife Rescue; to Dariusz Drozdz MRCVS for having done excellent surgery on several of our rabbits and guinea-pigs; and to Crooked End Farm Organics in Ruardean for providing hay supplies.

VHD

VHD is an unpleasant airborne disease and is usually fatal in rabbits, which die quickly from it after a short illness. The disease can also be transmitted unknowingly by humans on their clothing, if they come in contact with an infected rabbit. A vaccine is available from your vet against VHD - please have your rabbit(s) vaccinated annually against VHD and myxomatosis. (In some cases your vet may recommend more frequent vaccinations against myxomatosis.)

Are your rabbit's claws in need of clipping?

We are able to trim your rabbit's nails at the rescue in return for a donation. If you are in the Forest of Dean area and would like us to clip your rabbit's claws, please e-mail us.

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help look after rabbits in the Carrot Tops Rescue. If you are local to the Forest of Dean and would like to help us, please let us know. We have set up a volunteering page on this site.

Frontline® - not to be used on rabbits for treatment of external parasites

Frontline^® is a spot on treatment for external parasites intended for use on dogs and cats; it contains an insecticide called fipronil. Its manufacturer, Merial, states that "The product should not be used on rabbits as adverse reactions and even death could occur". Product packaging also states "Do not use in rabbits".

Pet Portraits

Have you ever thought of having a painting made of your treasured bunny or guinea-pig? Click here to learn more. (Also updated with pictures of Alaska and Holly rabbits in their new home.)

Rabbits for re-homing

We currently have many rabbits that need new homes. We try to match animals to their potential new owners. Please note also that we always prefer, where possible, to re-home rabbits in settled pairs as this is makes for happier and more contented bunnies. We would also be pleased to hear from rabbit-owners who would like a companion for an existing rabbit.

ALL our rabbits for re-homing are neutered and vaccinated against VHD (rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease). In the unlikely event of them being unsuitable in your household, it is our policy to take them back for re-homing elsewhere.

Are you interested and in the Gloucestershire area? If so please contact us for further details.

Our re-homing policy

We decided that we would only let our rabbits be re-homed in pairs or as a companion rabbit to a rabbit that is already established in a home. We only do the latter when we've given as much advice as we can on the ways of introducing two rabbits to each other. We have even offered to do this on our premises for clients, because then we know the rabbits will be on neutral territory for the introduction.

We also decided to neuter our rescued rabbits prior to re-homing, not only to prevent yet more unwanted animals being born, but to make the rabbits more content and better pets. Many un-neutered female pet rabbits die from uterine cancer. The Rabbit Welfare Fund puts the percentage as high as 80% before the age of 5 years. Male rabbits can also suffer from cancer of their genitalia.

Rabbits and guinea pigs must have access to a large run, and the hutches provided should be as large and secure as owners can manage. We advise people that many rabbits are not suitable pets for children. Most children unfortunately soon get bored with the routine of feeding and cleaning for what they see as little reward. However, many people reading this site will, I'm sure, know how wrong this can be. It gives us great pleasure when we put our rabbits in their runs and they rush around, jumping with all four feet in the air, happy to be out of their hutch for the day.

We ask potential clients wishing to home rabbits to sign a declaration that the animals concerned will be returned to us should they be unable to look after them in the future for any reason.

We aim to finance ourselves through entirely through donations.

About us

Carrot Tops Rabbit Rescue is a non profit-making rescue aiming to re-home lost or unwanted pet rabbits and guinea-pigs. We are located in the Forest of Dean area of western Gloucestershire, UK.

The founder, Jane, looks after the rabbits together with several hard-working volunteers. They are dependent on donations from the public to pay for vets bills, animal food and bedding. Donations are very welcome, and on re-homing, a donation of at least £40 per rabbit is requested to help us continue our work (we regret that we have recently had to increase this amount, principally due to the increasing cost of vet's bills). At any one time, only a proportion of rabbits in care are available for immediate re-homing.

How we started

Jane began by volunteering as a dog walker for an Animal Welfare Centre. As well as cats and dogs, rabbits were often left at the Centre for re-homing. Often, on entry, these poor animals were covered in mites; one we had was covered in fleas and mites. Many had experienced a dreadful life in solitary confinement in a hutch, with little likelihood of being let out. In March 2003, Jane was a joint founder of AJ's Rabbit and Guinea-Pig Rescue because, unlike many other parts of the UK, there were no dedicated rabbit and guinea-pig rescue centres in western Gloucestershire. In March 2008, she founded Carrot Tops Rabbit Rescue.

E-mail Carrot Tops Rabbit Rescue: