Bunny info - London (Zone 2)

[peachyornot]

Hi all

Not sure if anyone is able to help or give suggestions but any input is welcome!

I'm currently living in London and would like to get a bunny - I have experience as I had one when I was younger (from 10 to 18 years old), however I lived in Italy at that time!

- Any suggestions on where to get one? I don't want to pay money to someone that just breeds them for money as I am aware (like for many other pets) they don't get treated well
- Vet care: any recommendations on vets that are able to properly after bunnies?
- Extras: I'm also doing some research on what they would need (vaccinations/worm and flea treatments etc) as my dad took care of that when I had my first one, as I was too young to know what to do!
- Any useful information

Any help or suggestions are appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Shimmer]

A really good source of info on rabbit care:

Home

Creating better tomorrows for all pet rabbits The UK’s largest organisation for rabbit lovers!

rabbitwelfare.co.uk

Look at minimum housing requirements
Rabbits need another rabbit. Others may be able to recommend local rescues & vets
Will need neutering (unless already done by rescue) & annual vaccinations
Flea and worming - only if parasites seen - which is unusual.
Hay, hay, hay - they need lots of hay to keep teeth worn down & keep guts healthy.

Good luck - and let us know what you get.

 

[Omi]

I was just about to provide the same link as Shimmer I would also agree with everything she has added. I would suggest your first step should be to decide on how many rabbits to get. A bonded pair would be ideal and could be adopted from a rescue. The rescue will want to know what accommodation you can provide, so you need to think about that before contacting any rescues. They might also want to do a home check beforehand, in which case the accommodation would need to be ready.

This is also a good site for advice http://www.therabbithouse.com/ It has a particularly useful section on rabbit's diet. A rescue would probably also ask you how you intend to feed the rabbit(s).

This website is useful for finding out where rescues are http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/centres.asp If you search under London and Middlesex, you will find a selection. Most rescues have websites, where they post details of available rabbits. A warning though, they might not be regularly updated (rescues tend to be very busy), so a good plan, when you are ready, would be to contact your nearest rescues by email with some brief details of what you are looking for. Most of them also have Facebook pages, which are sometimes more up to date. Your local RSPCA centre might also have an adoption section, which has rabbits.

Yes, do let us know how you get on and just ask if you need further advice or clarification.

 

[HouseOfRabbit]

In addition to the above you'll need to to consider:
Bedding - I've used fleece (2nd hand from charity shops mostly) but you'll need a horse rug washbag if you go that route so you don't damage your washing machine
Litter trays - Underbed storage boxes are good with a Auboise/Carefresh base and the hay on top as they help keep things contained. Can mix pellets/veg etc through for enrichment
Where you'll buy your hay, bedding etc from and how you'll transport it if it isn't delivered
Storage - If you have the room then clean wheelie bins work well for hay as long as it's in an old duvet cover to let it breathe.
Waste Disposal - Do you have room to compost litter tray clean ups? Can you put it in green bins? Are you able to get it to a local tip?
Insurance/emergency savings/vet savings - Definitely look into insurance but at the very least have a large savings account just for rabbits costs especially emergency vet visits and medication.
Vet recommendations - Check the RWAF website as they've compiled a recommended vet list
Vacinations - Will need Myxomatosis, RVHD and RVHD2 annually

Re food, you might find Twigs Way's books of interest on the RWAF website

 

[Graciee]

In addition to the above you'll need to to consider:
Bedding - I've used fleece (2nd hand from charity shops mostly) but you'll need a horse rug washbag if you go that route so you don't damage your washing machine
Litter trays - Underbed storage boxes are good with a Auboise/Carefresh base and the hay on top as they help keep things contained. Can mix pellets/veg etc through for enrichment
Where you'll buy your hay, bedding etc from and how you'll transport it if it isn't delivered
Storage - If you have the room then clean wheelie bins work well for hay as long as it's in an old duvet cover to let it breathe.
Waste Disposal - Do you have room to compost litter tray clean ups? Can you put it in green bins? Are you able to get it to a local tip?
Insurance/emergency savings/vet savings - Definitely look into insurance but at the very least have a large savings account just for rabbits costs especially emergency vet visits and medication.
Vet recommendations - Check the RWAF website as they've compiled a recommended vet list
Vacinations - Will need Myxomatosis, RVHD and RVHD2 annually

Re food, you might find Twigs Way's books of interest on the RWAF website

My London Borough says you can't put it in garden waste, it's gotta be in the black sacks as normal rubbish it's considered pet waste... Which is silly if you ask me

 

[HouseOfRabbit]

My London Borough says you can't put it in garden waste, it's gotta be in the black sacks as normal rubbish it's considered pet waste... Which is silly if you ask me

Used to compost my rabbit waste but I've got a similar issue here if I wasn't able to hence me thinking it was a good idea for an upfront consideration.

 

[Graciee]

Used to compost my rabbit waste but I've got a similar issue here if I wasn't able to hence me thinking it was a good idea for an upfront consideration.

Oh yea definitely is, was just saying what my borough does and when I was in South London it was the same. I think the garden waste bin makes the most sense honestly

 

[InspectorMorse]

My London Borough says you can't put it in garden waste, it's gotta be in the black sacks as normal rubbish it's considered pet waste... Which is silly if you ask me

Same here

 

[William]

My London Borough says you can't put it in garden waste, it's gotta be in the black sacks as normal rubbish it's considered pet waste... Which is silly if you ask me

Do they force people to actually use disposable black sacks? That seems so unnecessary and old fashioned (considering environmental concerns) when you could just dump everything in one garbage can and not use sacks at all, if you wanted to. It's not like rabbit waste is so gross/messy that it needs to be contained. It's all going to be tipped up in the garbage trucks anyway, I would think.

 

[Graciee]

Do they force people to actually use disposable black sacks? That seems so unnecessary and old fashioned (considering environmental concerns) when you could just dump everything in one garbage can and not use sacks at all, if you wanted to. It's not like rabbit waste is so gross/messy that it needs to be contained. It's all going to be tipped up in the garbage trucks anyway, I would think.

Oh no we don't have bins in my borough, it's just black sacks for waste and orange sacks for recycling - you have to use bin bags otherwise they won't collect.

(garden waste is a wheelie bin tho, no bags needed)

Every London Borough I've lived in has been different rest of the UK too tbh even down to what can be recycled. In Essex there was boxes too.. We have only recently (last few months) been able to put glass in for recycling before that we had to take it to the bottle bank, was a right pain whereas other places had glass either included or in separate container. It's all mad really but yea bunny waste has to be put in black sacks no rips either otherwise they'll refuse, we have to double bag ours coz the hay is sharp, it's ridiculous, but I don't have room for a personal compost heap, most people here don't unfortunately.

Keeping rabbits and pigs for me isn't very eco friendly really

 

[Shimmer]

Rabbit waste can't go in our garden waste bins and can't be deposited at waste recycling stations (ie local tips). It is classed as special waste and has to go in the standard bin or be weighed in and paid for at specific waste stations. I compost it at the allotment.

It's definitely something that has to be taken into consideration if you have more than a couple of rabbits.

 

[William]

Oh no we don't have bins in my borough, it's just black sacks for waste and orange sacks for recycling - you have to use bin bags otherwise they won't collect.

(garden waste is a wheelie bin tho, no bags needed)

Every London Borough I've lived in has been different rest of the UK too tbh even down to what can be recycled. In Essex there was boxes too.. We have only recently (last few months) been able to put glass in for recycling before that we had to take it to the bottle bank, was a right pain whereas other places had glass either included or in separate container. It's all mad really but yea bunny waste has to be put in black sacks no rips either otherwise they'll refuse, we have to double bag ours coz the hay is sharp, it's ridiculous, but I don't have room for a personal compost heap, most people here don't unfortunately.

Keeping rabbits and pigs for me isn't very eco friendly really

Ah that's a shame! Here we have a garbage bin (any kind of trash, including animal waste), recycling bin (glass, cardboard, aluminum, etc), and yard waste bin (grass clippings, leaves, etc).

It's very simple, you can use bags or not, and you can also put out multiple bins if you have multiple.

We also can put large items out twice a month to be picked up (furniture etc). And every week we can put out large yard waste like branches and logs too.

I never realized some places would require the use of bags for garbage - I'm glad thats not the case here as I would feel it's such a waste. When I had rabbits i often composted though.

You would think big cities would be able to accommodate for more flexibility as people in big cities are less likely to drive and therefore less likely to have a way to remove waste.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Ah that's a shame! Here we have a garbage bin (any kind of trash, including animal waste), recycling bin (glass, cardboard, aluminum, etc), and yard waste bin (grass clippings, leaves, etc).

It's very simple, you can use bags or not, and you can also put out multiple bins if you have multiple.

We also can put large items out twice a month to be picked up (furniture etc). And every week we can put out large yard waste like branches and logs too.

I never realized some places would require the use of bags for garbage - I'm glad thats not the case here as I would feel it's such a waste. When I had rabbits i often composted though.

You would think big cities would be able to accommodate for more flexibility as people in big cities are less likely to drive and therefore less likely to have a way to remove waste.

Here some areas only get their waste and recycling collected once every 2 or 3 weeks. Consequently there’s been a huge uptick in Fly-tipping. Is that term used in the US? It’s when people just dump their domestic waste at random locations. Often on privately owned land so the council won’t clear it up, the owner of the land has to pay to get it collected Happens here in our garage block. Came down one morning to find an entire kitchen piled on the land I own in front of my garage Not only all the old kitchen units and worktops, but an old fridge, freezer and washing machine too Along with numerous black sacks of general waste

At the time I was still in receipt of means tested benefits (I no longer am) so the council were legally obliged to clear the mess. But had I had to pay for it myself it’d have cost over £200 at the very least

OP, Sorry for hi-jacking your thread

 

[InspectorMorse]

Hi all

Not sure if anyone is able to help or give suggestions but any input is welcome!

I'm currently living in London and would like to get a bunny - I have experience as I had one when I was younger (from 10 to 18 years old), however I lived in Italy at that time!

- Any suggestions on where to get one? I don't want to pay money to someone that just breeds them for money as I am aware (like for many other pets) they don't get treated well
- Vet care: any recommendations on vets that are able to properly after bunnies?
- Extras: I'm also doing some research on what they would need (vaccinations/worm and flea treatments etc) as my dad took care of that when I had my first one, as I was too young to know what to do!
- Any useful information

Any help or suggestions are appreciated! Thank you!

If you do decide to get Rabbits do consider adopting from a Rescue rather than buying from a Petshop or Breeder

Animal Rescue and Care (ARC) in Twickenham are great and they have lots of lovely Bunnies who are desperate to find a forever home. Rescue Rabbits will already be neutered and vaccinated, saving you a huge amount of money. The Rescue will Offer ongoing support and advice after adoption too

Adopt a Rabbit

Please note that ARC doesn't rehome single rabbits to live on their own, but we will bond a single rabbit of yours with one of ours, to make a happy couple. Find out about our rabbit adoption process Find out about our rabbit adoption process

animalrescueandcare.org.uk

 

[tulsi]

Easter, Malo and Mable .... sigh. What a lot of beautiful rabbits looking for homes.

 

[Omi]

Easter, Malo and Mable .... sigh. What a lot of beautiful rabbits looking for homes.

It was Rolo, Malo and Mable that I sighed over ARC always seems to have such beautiful rabbits for adoption.

 

[peachyornot]

If you do decide to get Rabbits do consider adopting from a Rescue rather than buying from a Petshop or Breeder

Animal Rescue and Care (ARC) in Twickenham are great and they have lots of lovely Bunnies who are desperate to find a forever home. Rescue Rabbits will already be neutered and vaccinated, saving you a huge amount of money. The Rescue will Offer ongoing support and advice after adoption too

Adopt a Rabbit

Please note that ARC doesn't rehome single rabbits to live on their own, but we will bond a single rabbit of yours with one of ours, to make a happy couple. Find out about our rabbit adoption process Find out about our rabbit adoption process

animalrescueandcare.org.uk

Thank you, I’d 100% opt for a rescue rather than buying one (money isn’t really an issue, it’s the ethics behind it for me!). Thanks so much for the link, I’ll have a look

 

[peachyornot]

In addition to the above you'll need to to consider:
Bedding - I've used fleece (2nd hand from charity shops mostly) but you'll need a horse rug washbag if you go that route so you don't damage your washing machine
Litter trays - Underbed storage boxes are good with a Auboise/Carefresh base and the hay on top as they help keep things contained. Can mix pellets/veg etc through for enrichment
Where you'll buy your hay, bedding etc from and how you'll transport it if it isn't delivered
Storage - If you have the room then clean wheelie bins work well for hay as long as it's in an old duvet cover to let it breathe.
Waste Disposal - Do you have room to compost litter tray clean ups? Can you put it in green bins? Are you able to get it to a local tip?
Insurance/emergency savings/vet savings - Definitely look into insurance but at the very least have a large savings account just for rabbits costs especially emergency vet visits and medication.
Vet recommendations - Check the RWAF website as they've compiled a recommended vet list
Vacinations - Will need Myxomatosis, RVHD and RVHD2 annually

Re food, you might find Twigs Way's books of interest on the RWAF website

Thank you, that’s really helpful - especially for the vet info. I’ve tried to look it up but it only suggested general vets which usually are not as good when it comes to bunnies! When I had one back in Italy, we used to drive an hour to get to an exotic vet as the two we tried before just weren’t even able to answer questions so didn’t really trust them to look after him!

 

[bunniemum]

Wow.. when I lived under Waltham Forest we were able to put the rabbit waste in the garden bin, and thankfully we can still do it here down south ...and with a heavty cost now of £81 a year for the collection, I make sure it's always full to the brim!