The UK 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. 

What have we realised?

1. That the need for good medical care for the rabbits is paramount.
2. That we spend vast amounts on veterinary care for the rabbits with veterinary care being the majority of our rescue expenses.
3. That the quality of care would be improved if we had more in-house hospitalization space.
4. That having our vet in house would make for less over all cost and travel for both us and the rabbits, freeing up time for care and less stressful recoveries.

Last year we spent over £50,000 in vet fees. ​We took in a total of 121 rabbits, far less than we could of had those vet fees been lower. With our surrender waiting list at an all time high and only growing at an exponential rate, the ability which we have to take rabbits in is mainly limited due to resources rather than just necessarily housing spaces.

Having identified the factor which limits us currently in aiding more rabbits in need and deciding on focusing on more concentrated growth and less overall physical spaces, we have our newest and biggest project - a new rabbit care clinic.

Currently at the rescue, we have rabbit hospitalisation/recovery units contained within a external wooden building which also acts as our quarentine housing. While this has served its purpose well, we are limited to 6 recovery kennels. Our current incubator is aging as is the building itself and would benefit from being upgraded and modernised. Using wooden structures is not as sound for infection control as we would like and this limits our biosecurity measures. There is also not currently the space or ability to use it as a veterinary clinic.

What will this project involve?

We plan on having a purpose built building built at the rescue which will act as a hospitilisation / rehabilitation and medical care centre for rabbits who enter the rescue. This will also act as the base for an in house veterinary surgeon working alongside our team.

Having this rabbit specialist clinic will also benefit the community as a place for health care appointments with a rabbit vet, something which is not currently available within a 20 mile radius.

What will be needed for this clinic to get up and running?

• A purpose built building fully plumbed and wired in.
• Fibreglass recovery/hospitilisation housing units.
• New incubators.
• Stainless steel Veterinary units and equipment.
• New medical fridge.
• Ventilation and air conditioning unit.

How much will this project cost?

The estimate quoted cost for this project is £32,000.
We aim to raise these funds both by public fundraising and by applying for community grants.