Current Animals Here at the Rescue
For latest update phone 01373 864222.
We have rabbits and guinea pigs coming in regularly so please phone me for the latest details. They are always re-homed in pairs unless we are doing a match-up for your lonely bunny. You will need a large hutch (at least 5' long) with the run permanently attached, so the rabbits do not need to rely on you for their exercise. A Wendy House or suitable shed leading onto a safe garden is also suitable, so long as the rabbits are not shut in to a hutch within the shed at night. Please note that most two-storey hutch-run units (with ramps) are NOT suitable for rabbits.
Click on the link below to view a short video about what you need to provide to be able to adopt rabbits from CottonTails. You will also find many useful tips about rabbit welfare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhLYMBEEXvk
Video link about diet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeT_UKbUCaM
The Minimum donation fee is £40 per rabbit. This includes neutering and full vaccination (VHD and Myxomatosis). Our rabbits are also fully screened for dental disease whilst under anaesthetic for neutering, although this does not guarantee that dental disease will not appear in later life. Rabbits with dental disease or temperament problems are not offered for adoption.
As the parasite E. cuniculi is now known to be present in at least 50% of all rabbits (not just those here at CottonTails but all pet rabbits), we now give medication (a 9 day course of Panacur) to every rabbit as a precaution prior to adoption.
The minimum donation fee for guinea pigs is £10 each, £15 for a neutered male. Guinea pigs are available in compatible pairs or small groups, or as singles if needed to match with a lonely guinea pig.
Click on photos to enlarge, scroll down for guineapigs.
Rabbits for Adoption
|
|
|
Merlin is a neutered male about 5 months old. His mother was a domestic rabbit who escaped and had a close encounter with a wild male! Merlin is, however, very tame, so although he looks like a wild bunny he does not behave very like one and seems to enjoy human company when he is in the mood. He was matched with a neutered female and found a home as a pair of house bunnies, but she turned out to be very bossy and they did not get on very well. I am hoping someone out there has a lonely neutered female that may like him as her friend. ***UPDATE*** See entry in Hop Off The Press for the sad news about Mildred See also entry for Mildred and Merlin below for details of the background story, and now also the entry for Merlin and Champion, his new partner. Video Link: |
|
This pair of lionhead/Flemish giant crosses are a neutered male and female about 7 months old. They have blossomed into a lovely and very entertaining pair, and are just great! Video Link (other links below): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWcYsTpWAUs For details of their story and the video link, have a look at the following: The litter of 7 that have been staying with Steve for the last month are now back, just in time for their neutering operations on the 27th February. The group comprises 4 males and 3 females, and they are now about 15 weeks old. Mum was a chunky but not too huge Flemish giant-type bunny, and dad was a lionhead-type dwarf, so I am expecting a variety of sizes when they are fully grown. They are all lovely bunnies, very active and interested in everything you do, especially if you happen to have some food! As I wasn't able to capture all 7 in one photo without somebody turning away at the last second, I have taken 3 photos, the first of which shows the 3 white bunnies, two males and one female. ***UPDATE*** Sadly, two of the seven were found to have significant dental disease and have not returned to us. The 5 bunnies that will be available once they have recovered are: white male, white female, agouti female (just visible in the photo), black lionhead and agouti lionhead. Just for interest, you will find below the new video link where they are behaving as normal bunnies should behave (lively and curious), and for comparison just below that is the link for the original video footage which was taken the day after they originally came in, before they spent a month at Steve's. In this video, you can see how nervous they were, and this confirms what a good job Steve does when he fosters them for us. New Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXzjDWFM_14 Original video link: |
|
See entry in Hop Off The Press for 18th September for details of update. Merlin has thankfully accepted a new partner and they seem very happy. See entry for Merlin and Champion for details. The following is the story of when Merlin met Mildred. Having tried unsuccessfully to find a suitable friend for Merlin, I felt that I would try once more before giving up and putting him up for adoption as a single bunny. My choice was Mildred, a very large French lop female (2 years old) who sadly had lost her sister due to significant dental disease. To prevent her becoming territorial I decided to "go for it" as soon as she returned from the vet for her teeth check, and put her and Merlin into a large pen and waited for the reactions. As usual, nothing happened for the first few minutes as they both explored the new territory. However, once Merlin got bored with that, he decided to introduce himself to Mildred, who fled in the opposite direction! To give Merlin his due, he did not persue her but sat and waited for her to come back, whereupon her tried again. He got the same reaction again, and so it went on for the next 24 hours or so. I kept going out with a torch that evening to make sure all was well, and by the next morning things had settled down a bit, which was very encouraging, and by the following day they were sitting side by side. Success! Therefore, they will now be offered for adoption as a pair. ***UPDATE*** Merlin in particular is showing that he is a real character, and loves jumping out of his pen and annoying all the other rabbits! Mildred is a very gentle giant and seems to take everything in her stride. Video link of Mildred's arrival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szUiiBFPKSU
Video link of Mildred and Merlin's match-up:
|
|
This little group of six babies (the black one just hopped off out of the photo!) are 7 weeks old and are very lively. They are being cared for by foster-carer Rachel who will look after them until they are old enough to be neutered, probably sometime in November. Rachel sent the following message: The "nursery" are doing well, very cute and getting bolder by the minute. They really like the junior food. I hope to send a video soon.
|
|
See entry for "Roonie and Rex" and "a new bunny" for details. This fellow is 5 months old and is absolutely beautiful. Video Link: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jasmine and Josephine are lovely bunnies and just happen to be 6 years old. They were living as a threesome but sadly the third bunny had dental disease and the vets made the hard decision to put her to sleep. Although they are fully vaccinated they are not neutered, and I decided not to have them spayed as they were thoroughly examined for possible lumps and were found to be fit and healthy. I would prefer them to find a home together, but it is possible they may accept a neutered male into their group. Video Link: |
|
The full story about these youngsters will appear on "Hop Off The Press" shortly, but briefly this litter of 6 French Lops are 5 months old and have delightful personalities. Due to their breed, they will not be ready for neutering for another couple of weeks yet, but as soon as they are done I will be looking for nice new homes, either as match-ups for lonely bunnies or in sibling pairs. There are 2 females and four males. Video Link - just arrived: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qear_1T5kjA Video Link for footage of the six having settled in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPFsojcD1Tg In the greenhouse: |
|
|
|
|
|
Only Mum now remains of this delightful trio (she is in the middle). She is neutered and is just over a year old. She has a very gentle nature and I am sure will make an easy match for a lonely neutered male as she is happy to be bossed about! Video Link: |
|
They are very fond of each other, so this pair of brothers will definitely being going as a pair. They are neutered and are about 5 months old and have superb temperaments. They will make delightful, steady pets and their fur is beautifully soft! Video Link: |
|
Roonie, who is an almost 3 year old neutered female, has been successfully introduced to a very handsome ermine rex neutered male that we have temporarily called Rex. They hit it off straight away and are best buddies. Rex is 5-6 months old. They will make a lovely pair for someone who would like to adopt bunnies. |
|
I am delighted to be able to say that Merlin has found a new love in his life, namely Champion, a two year old neutered female. She is absolutely delightful and very tame and gentle, so they will make a wonderful pair for someone. Fingers crossed they are adopted soon! Video Link: |
|
|
Guinea Pigs for Adoption |
|
Jerry is about 1-2 years old and is quite chubby! He is very pretty in his lilac, orange and white colours, and will be neutered on the 17th September. He will be ready to match up with a female or females from 17th October onwards. He is feeling a bit sad as he still has to be kept on his own, but if you are considering taking him on as a friend for your lonely female guinea pig and can have two cages side by side until mid-October, get in touch right away and make his day! ***UPDATE*** He is now reserved and will be going to his new home on 7.10.08 where he will be living adjacent to two female guinea pigs until he is "safe". Video Link: |
|
Tom is about 1-2 years old. Like his brother Jerry, Tom is beautifully coloured in orange, lilac and white. He is blind in one eye but this makes no difference in his ability to charge about his run! It would appear that he has been like this from birth so no treatment is required and he is fit and well. He has now been neutered and will be ready for matching with a female or females from the 17th October onwards. He is feeling a bit sad as he still has to be kept on his own, but if you are considering taking him on as a friend for your lonely female guinea pig and can have two cages side by side until mid-October, get in touch right away and make his day! ***UPDATE*** Tom has now been reserved and will be going to his new home to live with a female in mid-October. Video Link: |
 "Example of hutch and run required before adoption")
 "Merlin - now matched with Champion")
 "Rose and Ricky")
Merlin and Mildred - sadly not now available "New Babies!")
 "Rex - just arrived!")
 "Florry and Lilly")
 "Alfie")
 "Leo")
 "Two old bunnies (don't tell them I said that...)")
 "Six baby French lops arrive unexpectedly!")
 "Another photo of the baby French lops")
 "Yet another photo of the French lops")
 "Now only one female left!")
 "Beautiful snowy white ermine rex brothers")
 "Roonie and Rex")
 "Merlin and Champion")
 "An updated photo of Rachel's foster-babies")
 "Jerry - now reserved!")
 "Tom - now reserved!")
