Carrot Tops Rabbit Rescue

News

Bryn rabbit

Click here to see a photo of Bryn prior to his teeth being clipped (warning some people may find this distressing).

Bryn was found near a car park by someone walking their dog. There had been a lot of rain recently and yet Bryn was dry and clean. He had almost certainly been dumped there very shortly before he was found. The lady was amazed at how easy he was to catch, but one look at him explained why. His lower teeth were grossly overgrown and actually growing up into his nostrils. One upper tooth had mercifully broken off, but the other was curling back into the roof of his mouth. He must have been in distress and was unable to eat. He was very thin, weighing only 1.4 kg. We have had his teeth clipped, but must wait until he puts on weight and is in better condition before he can have his front teeth removed. Bryn is one of many rabbits coming into the rescue needing veterinary treatment. Bryn, like so many, has suffered in silence for so long that it only seems fair to give them a chance of a happy, pain-free life with people who love them. We desperately need more funds to help rabbits like Bryn. All donations are used directly for the animals. Carrot Tops Rabbit Rescue is run totally by volunteers.

VHD

We have recently heard of an outbreak of viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) in pet rabbits in Gloucester. The rabbits concerned died within 24 hrs of each other. 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.)

Numbers of animals re-homed this year (updated)

Since January 2009, the rescue has re-homed 65 rabbits, 18 guinea-pigs, and (on an exceptional basis) 4 chinchillas.

Tellington Touch

Tellington Touch or TTouch as it is also known, is a specialized approach to care and training based on cooperation and respect. It can help establish a deeper rapport between humans and animals through increased understanding and more effective communication. It can also provide solutions to common behavioural and physical problems and can improve health and daily life.

Incorporating some TTouch into the everyday handling of your rabbit or guinea-pig will help establish trust, alter their expectations of what hand contact might mean, release tension, and influence physical and mental balance which in turn can have a positive affect on behaviour.

Carrot Tops has its own TTouch Practitioner working with them on a regular basis, helping to improve the quality of life for some of the more traumatised and anxious rabbits and guinea-pigs that end up with us through no fault of there own.

Denise our TTouch Practitioner would be happy to work with rabbits re-homed from Carrot Tops on a one to one basis at reduced rates. For more details contact Carrot Tops and ask to be referred or contact Denise directly by email: denise.forrester@btopenworld.com and mention Carrot Tops to get the referral discount.

If you want to know more about TTouch click here.

Raffle draw

The winning ticket for the raffle held in aid of the rescue was number 244. The draw was made on 31 August. The winner has been contacted and will receive a portrait of a companion animal of their choice, to be painted by Wendy Payne. Thanks to everyone who participated. It raised £237 for the rescue which has all been put towards our vet bill.

Guestbook

We now have a guestbook set up (see left). Please leave any comments you might have on the rescue or website.

Rabbit re-homing successes

See our new "adopted" entries.

Thanks

Carrot Tops Rabbit Rescue would like to express its sincere thanks for the very generous help and assistance provided by Teckels Animal Sanctuaries, Secret World Wildlife Rescue, Pets Barn Veterinary Group and Crooked End Farm Organics in Ruardean (for providing hay deliveries during recent bad weather).

Bracken and Tansy are resident British giants and are not for re-homing. They have their own wendy house and coffee-table.

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.)

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.

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 are very lucky to have the support of Teckels Animal Sanctuaries in Whitminster, near Gloucester, although we aim to finance ourselves 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.