RESCUE SUPER STAR
Wellington Rabbit Rescue was started in August 2015 by Chrissy Joy . Chrissy has loved rabbits since she was given her first pair at the age of just four ! She has always had rabbits in her life , and after working at the SPCA just out of school she decided her long-term plan would be to start a rabbit specific rescue !
More than 300 rabbits have come through Wellington Rabbit Rescue since it started . Every rabbit that enters the shelter is desexed , vaccinated and given vet care and surgery if required .
At the rescue , large x-pens are used to ensure the rabbits in our care have plenty of space to exhibit natural rabbit behaviour . The rabbits eat high quality pellets , such as Burgess or Oxbow , hay , fresh vegetables and herbs ( grown on site where possible ), and are also fed branches such as apple and willow . Because rabbits often remain at the rescue for more than four months , they are provided with everything they need to live happy , healthy lives .
Rabbit Rescue uses foster homes to ensure rabbits get the quality time they deserve . Often , rabbits arrive in a bad state and require rehabilitation , and foster homes are perfect for this . The rescue has a wonderful foster network and a foster-family is hand-picked depending on the specific needs of a rabbit .
At the moment , 28 rabbits are in the rescue ’ s care . It has a permanent wait-list of rabbits needing to come into the shelter but due to limited funds can only take a certain amount at a time . Originally the “ maximum ” number of rabbits was 15 at one time , but thanks to having so many wonderful foster homes the rescue can now take more !
It usually costs more to desex a rabbit than a cat or dog due to rabbits being classed as an “ exotic pet ”. The rescue spends all its spare time fundraising to help towards the large vet bills that accumulate each month . It ’ s imperative that ALL rabbits are desexed for their health , but also to prevent unwanted litters and help reduce the number of homeless rabbits in New Zealand . The fundraising also ensures that the word gets spread on the proper care of rabbits . Unfortunately , most places that you can ‘ buy ’ rabbits from don ’ t give the appropriate advice and people come to realise that rabbits are not as cheap and simple to care for as they were told . Rabbits are complicated creatures and require a lot of work , and often a lot of patience .
If you are thinking of adopting a rabbit ( or two ) through Wellington Rabbit Rescue then there is an adoption procedure in place to ensure the rabbits go on to live happy lives .
To adopt through Wellington Rabbit Rescue you will need to have an inspection of your yard / enclosure / room to ensure it is big enough and secure enough from predators . If you are using an enclosed area , rather than having your rabbits free range , then it must be a minimum size of 2 metres ( length ) x 1m ( width ) x 1m ( height ) with a warm , dry covered area that is at least 61 centimetres x 61cm . Please note , this is a MINIMUM . The rescue prefers that adopted rabbits get much , much more space than this . Homes for the rabbits are based on what best suits each individual rabbit – some prefer living indoors , some outside , and some rabbits need more
Bentley
Walter
Keller
Meeka