Rehome your rabbit

The RWAF is an educational organisation; we don't rescue or re-home rabbits. Sadly we do get a lot of enquiries in this area so have put together the following guidelines as to how to find good homes for unwanted rabbits:

Please never advertise them in a local paper or pet shop as 'free to good home' as there are many horror stories about what has happened to rabbits given away in this manner. If you are re-homing them privately, i.e. to a friend or colleague, make sure you 'vet' any potential homes. Ensure that the rabbits will have roomy accommodation and plenty of opportunity to exercise as well as a good diet, vaccinations etc. Rabbits should also be kept in the company of their own kind, so please do not re-home rabbits to live a solitary life.

If you are not going to re-home 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 re-homing on their notice board.
  • Your local rescue centres - they may have space to be able to take them off you, 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 often inundated with rabbits.
  • Websites such as: www.rabbitrehome.org.uk - who specialise in re-homing unwanted rabbits, or www.dogpages.org.uk, who have a cats & other animals section where you may be able to find a suitable adopter. (Having a digital image of them that you can post on the website is helpful)

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.

Of course rabbits can be neutered, so it is possible to keep rabbits in pairs or colonies without producing unwanted litters and adding to the problem of unwanted rabbits.

To enhance your chance of finding a new home ensure your rabbits vaccinations are up to date and 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!

Every pet rabbit deserves to have a life worth living, so if you do find yourself in a situation where you need to re-home your own rabbit/s please make sure you do the best for them and ensure they will go to a permanent home that can give them all they deserve.

Thousands of rabbits are abandoned, given to rescue centres or change hands privately every year. Please, please think carefully before getting a pet rabbit and if do some research first. Don't be tempted to buy any animal on impulse.

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