Rabbit Fostering

Every bunny needs some bunny sometimes! Can you help foster our rabbits whilst we are looking for their forever home?

Often when we think about animal fostering, cats and dogs immediately spring to mind, but have you ever thought about fostering rabbits? The RSPCA received more than 5,000 reports last year about rabbits relating to neglect or abandonment and rescued an average of 340 small furries a month! To help us with the rehoming of some of these rabbits that end up in our care, we are looking for new volunteer fosterers to join our team.

As a rabbit fosterer, you would play an essential role in providing the rabbits in our care with a temporary home whilst they are going through the rehoming process. Like us, even bunnies have specific needs and requirements, and no foster rabbit or pair will be the same, but once we have guided you through the fostering process, we will ensure that you have all the necessary guidance, food, and veterinary care you need.

While fostering a rabbit(s) you will be responsible for:

Providing them with care, safe suitable housing, and space for playtime

· Ensure that they are groomed if appropriate and fed and watered (they eat a bundle of hay as big as they are every day!)

· Provide them with suitable and clean bedding to keep them cosy

Give them lots of attention and plenty of cuddles as rabbits are very sociable animals

To become a rabbit fosterer, we are looking for:

· Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience of caring for rabbits

Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential

A full UK driving license and vehicle to travel to and from vet appointments

Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated

Animal fosterers are such a vital part of our team as they give invaluable support to our Branch by helping us care for animals in need, giving us space to take in more animals at one time; preventing them from being stuck on waiting lists or in unsuitable homes. The number of rabbits coming into rescue has increased by such a significant amount, the need for rabbit fosterers has never been more essential. For more information or to register interest in becoming a rabbit fosterer, please email us info@ rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk. Guidance on suitable rabbit housing and rabbit care in general can also be found on the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) website www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk.

These two little girls, Flopsy and Poppy are currently with a rabbit fosterer waiting for their new forever home. They’re a six-month-old, bonded pair who have been spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. They have so far been living as indoor bunnies and are now looking for a new home together where they’ll have lots of space to explore and play. For more information about these gorgeous girls or to complete an application to adopt them, please contact us by emailing adopt@rspcabedfordshirenorth.org.uk or calling our office on 01234 266965.

I have been advised to deworm my pets, but I don’t see any worms and they are well. What should I do?

There are different types of worms in pets, and you seldom see any evidence of them unless there is an overwhelming infestation. We are mostly concerned about lungworm and roundworm. Roundworm (Toxocara) is very common in dogs and cats and the eggs are widespread in the environment. Toxacara can cause problems in young animals but is generally not detrimental adult animals. Our concern is that children (zoonosis) are exposed to the eggs which can have very severe consequences (including blindness, skin lesions, increased risk of asthma and seizures and difficulty with reading and maths).

Lungworm in dogs can be fatal, and is generally not noticed until your dog develops symptoms, which can be to late. To protect your pets and children, we recommend monthly worming. This can be given monthly, combined with flea and tick control, either as a tablet or a spot-on.

Best wishes to you all and stay safe!

Alan

If you have any questions you would like answered, please email them to villager@pottonvets.co.uk