Welcome to the Cottontails® website!

Registered Charity 1078850

Packed full of useful information on how to keep your rabbit or guinea pig healthy and happy, and animals available for adoption.

We are the only registered charity with this name for rabbits and guinea pigs, and have no affiliation whatsoever with any other organisation that may be using a similar name.

Read more about how we started

Welcome to the Cottontails® website!

Registered Charity 1078850

Packed full of useful information on how to keep your rabbit or guinea pig healthy and happy, and animals available for adoption.

We are the only registered charity with this name for rabbits and guinea pigs, and have no affiliation whatsoever with any other organisation that may be using a similar name.

Read more about how we started

Welcome to the Cottontails® website!

Registered Charity 1078850

Packed full of useful information on how to keep your rabbit or guinea pig healthy and happy, and animals available for adoption.

We are the only registered charity with this name for rabbits and guinea pigs, and have no affiliation whatsoever with any other organisation that may be using a similar name.

Read more about how we started

Welcome to the Cottontails® website!

Registered Charity 1078850

Packed full of useful information on how to keep your rabbit or guinea pig healthy and happy, and animals available for adoption.

We are the only registered charity with this name for rabbits and guinea pigs, and have no affiliation whatsoever with any other organisation that may be using a similar name.

Read more about how we started

Welcome to the Cottontails® website!

Registered Charity 1078850

Packed full of useful information on how to keep your rabbit or guinea pig healthy and happy, and animals available for adoption.

We are the only registered charity with this name for rabbits and guinea pigs, and have no affiliation whatsoever with any other organisation that may be using a similar name.

Read more about how we started

Services We Provide

Adoption criteria and details about our free Direct Rehoming Service for rabbits and guinea pigs are included here, together with relevant links to corresponding articles.

Bonding rabbits can be stressful to all concerned, and in this article you will find all the information you need to increase your chances of successfully finding a friend for your rabbit. Illustrated throughout with photos and film clips.

Everything you need to know about rabbit care and welfare can be found here, presented in an easy to follow format and illustrated throughout with photos and film clips.

How to successfully groom long haired or fluffy rabbits and guinea pigs, with illustrated tips on techniques to keep the fur neat, tidy and knot-free.

“We are very pleased to be joining forces with Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (Bristol A.R.C.) to improve rabbit welfare in Bristol and the surrounding area. We will be providing funding to Bristol A.R.C. to cover the cost of neutering rabbits through Bristol A.R.C.’s outreach services. Eligible rabbit owners seeking support with neutering and vaccinating their rabbits can find our more on Bristol A.R.C.’s website here: Outreach Clinics “

Trusted Expert Tips!

Step‑by‑Step Guides for Healthy, Happy Rabbits & Guinea Pigs

Learn how to care for rabbits and guinea pigs with expert, rescue‑approved guides covering diet, housing, bonding, behaviour, enrichment, grooming and routine health checks. Ideal for both new and experienced owners.

Latest Animals Available

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This lovely pair of guinea pigs need a new inside home. If you can offer a suitable and permanent home, get in touch by DM (not comments please) and we will go from there. Owner Tamsin said:
“They are really lovely boys with quirky personalities. The grey one ( Scholesy) is calm, will come up for cuddles and treats, and loves lying underneath a blanket with me.
The black one (Sonny) is a little more timid, but will hand feed very well, and also loves to come under the blanket, but is more conscious of being picked up. Both are friendly and just adorable. They both happy squeak when they hear the salad bag going 🙂
They are indoor guinea pigs, and have been for their life. They free roam our living room during the day, and are then caged over night.
They will come with their evening pen, all blankets, water bottles, and other accessories as seen.
Both boys and were born around July 2025 (just over a year old) absolutely no health issues to report.
My location is Wells.”
...

I received a really positive update from owner Laura yesterday, and I thought I would share it here - we all need some good news from time to time I feel! Laura said:
“Around a year ago you enabled us to adopt sweet piggy Otter and I just wanted to share with you that she is thriving and is dearly loved.
She lives with two other guinea pigs and they have a very happy life full of their favourite foods and endless love.There are so many sad stories in rescue but it’s important to know that you do a wonderful job and because of you putting us in touch with her previous owner (who was absolutely lovely btw), Otter landed with a family who adore her.
Thank you for what you do. “
...

I received a really

This pair of neutered sisters are needing a new home - they are in Limply Stoke, Bath. Their owner Eloise has provided full details about them, so do have a read. If you can offer a suitable, permanent home, get in touch by DM (not comments please) and we will go from there. Eloise said:
”Their names are Beano (black with small white dot on nose) and Boosh (all black). Both female (litter sisters), born June 2021 and both neutered in Nov 2021
Neutered in Nov 2021. Their annual jabs are due in Sept so I’m taking them for those next week. Apart from that, all vacs are up to date.
Generally speaking in good health. Neither of them are on any meds. Boosh is losing a bit of hair from her back - we’ve had this treated and checked by the vet and they’ve examined under a microscope but couldn’t see any mites. It started last winter when there was a prolonged period of rain (so they didn’t really leave their hutch) and has improved over the summer months when they’ve been outside and had more space. Our theory is that either Boosh is doing it to herself or Beano is doing it to her - either way, I wonder if it’s a sign that they are possibly bored or underoccupied? (Admin edit - probably due to the sister mounting her)
They are kept outside in a hutch with an attached run and tunnels. They have been inside for short periods (eg following being neutered and when weather has been very cold) so they are used to it.
They have quite different personalities but get on well. Beano has always seemed a bit hormonal to me - she definitely gets quite antsy in the Spring, and when she was younger she would always be the one to dig. I always felt she wanted a more exciting life and found her sister a bit frustrating and dull at times? She often tries to mount Boosh - much more so when they were younger, but she still does it from time to time, especially if she’s excited or there’s interesting food around. I would say she is the dominant sister. Boosh is definitely more chilled out and placid, and is happy as long as there’s plenty of food. They are both friendly and interested in what’s going on but have become nervous around humans due to lack of regular interaction. They are happy to be hand fed or stroked but no longer keen on being picked up.
We have a double storey hutch but it’s now 5 years old and not in the best condition especially after a house move. We also have an Omlet rabbit run and some lengths of tunnel/tube that connects to the hutch. I would be happy for all of this to go with them. “
...

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PRE-PURCHASE BASICS - here we lay out 16 things you need to know before bringing your new pet rabbit home - essential reading for all new rabbit owners or those that have not kept rabbits for a while:
  • Do not buy a rabbit on impulse.
  • Rabbits rarely make good pets for young children.
  • Have the sex properly checked, especially if keeping two or more.
  • Never buy a rabbit as a gift for someone else.
  • Neutering is essential for health and behaviour but is expensive.
  • Children usually get bored with a pet rabbit within a month.

  • AND REMEMBER ...
    PRE-PURCHASE BASICS - here we lay out 16 things you need to know before bringing your new pet rabbit home - essential reading for all new rabbit owners or those that have not kept rabbits for a while:
  • Do not buy a rabbit on impulse.
  • Rabbits rarely make good pets for young children.
  • Have the sex properly checked, especially if keeping two or more.
  • Never buy a rabbit as a gift for someone else.
  • Neutering is essential for health and behaviour but is expensive.
  • Children usually get bored with a pet rabbit within a month.

  • AND REMEMBER ...
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    This lovely pair of guinea pigs need a new inside home. If you can offer a suitable and permanent home, get in touch by DM (not comments please) and we will go from there. Owner Tamsin said:
    “They are really lovely boys with quirky personalities. The grey one ( Scholesy) is calm, will come up for cuddles and treats, and loves lying underneath a blanket with me.
    The black one (Sonny) is a little more timid, but will hand feed very well, and also loves to come under the blanket, but is more conscious of being picked up. Both are friendly and just adorable. They both happy squeak when they hear the salad bag going 🙂
    They are indoor guinea pigs, and have been for their life. They free roam our living room during the day, and are then caged over night.
    They will come with their evening pen, all blankets, water bottles, and other accessories as seen.
    Both boys and were born around July 2025 (just over a year old) absolutely no health issues to report.
    My location is Wells.”
    ...

    I received a really positive update from owner Laura yesterday, and I thought I would share it here - we all need some good news from time to time I feel! Laura said:
    “Around a year ago you enabled us to adopt sweet piggy Otter and I just wanted to share with you that she is thriving and is dearly loved.
    She lives with two other guinea pigs and they have a very happy life full of their favourite foods and endless love.There are so many sad stories in rescue but it’s important to know that you do a wonderful job and because of you putting us in touch with her previous owner (who was absolutely lovely btw), Otter landed with a family who adore her.
    Thank you for what you do. “
    ...

    I received a really

    This pair of neutered sisters are needing a new home - they are in Limply Stoke, Bath. Their owner Eloise has provided full details about them, so do have a read. If you can offer a suitable, permanent home, get in touch by DM (not comments please) and we will go from there. Eloise said:
    ”Their names are Beano (black with small white dot on nose) and Boosh (all black). Both female (litter sisters), born June 2021 and both neutered in Nov 2021
    Neutered in Nov 2021. Their annual jabs are due in Sept so I’m taking them for those next week. Apart from that, all vacs are up to date.
    Generally speaking in good health. Neither of them are on any meds. Boosh is losing a bit of hair from her back - we’ve had this treated and checked by the vet and they’ve examined under a microscope but couldn’t see any mites. It started last winter when there was a prolonged period of rain (so they didn’t really leave their hutch) and has improved over the summer months when they’ve been outside and had more space. Our theory is that either Boosh is doing it to herself or Beano is doing it to her - either way, I wonder if it’s a sign that they are possibly bored or underoccupied? (Admin edit - probably due to the sister mounting her)
    They are kept outside in a hutch with an attached run and tunnels. They have been inside for short periods (eg following being neutered and when weather has been very cold) so they are used to it.
    They have quite different personalities but get on well. Beano has always seemed a bit hormonal to me - she definitely gets quite antsy in the Spring, and when she was younger she would always be the one to dig. I always felt she wanted a more exciting life and found her sister a bit frustrating and dull at times? She often tries to mount Boosh - much more so when they were younger, but she still does it from time to time, especially if she’s excited or there’s interesting food around. I would say she is the dominant sister. Boosh is definitely more chilled out and placid, and is happy as long as there’s plenty of food. They are both friendly and interested in what’s going on but have become nervous around humans due to lack of regular interaction. They are happy to be hand fed or stroked but no longer keen on being picked up.
    We have a double storey hutch but it’s now 5 years old and not in the best condition especially after a house move. We also have an Omlet rabbit run and some lengths of tunnel/tube that connects to the hutch. I would be happy for all of this to go with them. “
    ...

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