Scotland is facing crisis levels of rabbits needing rescue spaces. We now see the vast majority of rabbits entering rescue having health conditions, which in turn limits resources due to the extent of medical care costs.
Our rabbit rehabilitation project aims to tackle one of the major issues we are facing as an organisation by increasing and improving our hospitalisation facilities at the rescue. This will allow us to help more rabbits in need across Scotland.
When rabbits enter the rescue, they require quarantining. They then go through neutering surgery and any other veterinary care they require. Rabbits who are sick or have chronic or contagious conditions require hospitalisation space for a long period of time.
Why the need for this project?
One of the biggest issues we have seen in the past few years is a drastic increase of rabbits being surrendered with costly conditions such as dental issues and ear disease.
This is due to a number of factors:
Lop eared rabbits being the most popular domestic rabbit being bred in Scotland. Lop eared rabbits have a significantly increased risk of having dental and ear issues (ref Johnson JC, Burn CC 2019).
The cost of living crisis has played a huge impact on members of the public seeking veterinary care for their rabbits, or being able to pay for treatment when they do get ill. Meaning animals are both being surrendered due to lack of finances and/or because they cannot pay medical costs for their animals.
When rabbits are surrendered with these issues they require extensive veterinary treatment and long term medical care. The quality of care would be improved if we had better recovery space and more hospitalisation capacity. It would also make for less overall cost and travel for the rabbits, freeing up time for care and less stressful recoveries.
How much will this project cost?
The estimate quoted cost for this project is £41,335.60. We aim to raise these funds both by public fundraising and by applying for community grants. We also have investors who have invested in paying for the building itself.
Project costings: (based on most recent revised 2024 quotes)
Purpose-built building - £25,000
Hospitilisation housing units - £12,000
New Incubator - £800
New medical fridge - £1935.60
Ventilation and air conditioning unit (including installation) - £1600