Adopt rabbits
Thinking about adopting rabbits from Woodgreen? Here’s everything you need to know before getting started.
Are rabbits the right pet for me?
Whether you’re new to rabbits, or you’ve experienced the joy of owning them before, getting a new pet is always a big decision.
To learn more about caring for rabbits, visit our ‘Which small pets are right for me?’ page.
Read on to learn more about rabbits’ needs and our adoption process. This is your first step towards possibly meeting a new furry friend!
Here’s what rabbit ownership involves
Preparing for rabbits
Thinking of adopting rabbits from Woodgreen? Before you apply, it’s worth taking some time to read through our ‘Caring for rabbits’ guide. It covers everything from diet and housing to behaviour and health – so you can feel confident you’re ready to give your rabbits the life they deserve.
What caring for rabbits looks like
Here’s what to factor in:
Lifespan
Lifespan
Rabbits live for around 8-12 years. They’re often a bigger commitment than many people expect!
Day-to-day costs
Day-to-day costs
A pair of rabbits typically costs around £80 a month, including food, hay, bedding, insurance and vaccination costs.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations
Each rabbit needs two vaccinations a year to protect against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD) 1, 2 and the newer highly virulent strain. You can expect to pay around £75 per vaccination per rabbit. You may want to check with your vet about any healthcare plans they can offer you.
Veterinary care
Veterinary care
Rabbits are prone to dental disease, ear problems (particularly in lop-eared breeds) and gut stasis, all of which can be costly.
We recommend finding a rabbit-savvy vet before you adopt. An exotics vet or a vet within a general practice who sees rabbits regularly is a good place to start. It may cost a little more upfront, but issues tend to be spotted and treated much faster.
The RWAF’s Recommended Rabbit-Friendly Vets directory is a useful starting point too.
Insurance
Insurance
Pet insurance offers peace of mind in case of a medical emergency. We provide four weeks of free insurance when you adopt a pet from Woodgreen. This gives you time to shop around to find the right policy that suits you and your pet in the long-term.
How to give your rabbits a great life
To adopt rabbits from Woodgreen, you need to be able to give them the space, company and care they need to thrive.
Accommodation – Room to roam
Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk, and in the wild they have plenty of space to move freely at any hour. Pet rabbits need room to hop at speed, stretch to their full height and length, and dig, forage and graze whenever they like.
A pair of small to medium-sized rabbits need 24-hour access to a floor space of at least 3m x 2m, with a height of at least 1m. This is roughly the size of two king-size mattresses placed together, and about as tall as a door handle.
Aviary with hutch inside, dig tray, platforms, hiding spaces, a tunnel and lots of hay.
An example of an indoor set up for rabbits. A 3m x 2m dedicated space within a room.
An example of an outdoor set up. A 6ft single level hutch inside a 3m x 2m x 1m rabbit run.
Do rabbits live indoors or outdoors?
Every pair or group in our care is different, so we’ll always tell you whether they’re suited to living indoors, outdoors, or happily either way. Some rabbits are indoor-only or outdoor-only based on their history or specific needs, so it’s worth checking with us before you fall for a particular pair.
If you do keep your rabbits indoors, we’d recommend giving them access to a secure garden on nice days via a rabbit run of the recommended size. They’ll love the extra space, fresh air and grazing, and it’s a great source of Vitamin D too.
Learn more about ideal rabbit accommodation.
Rabbit companionship
Rabbits are highly sociable animals and need to live with other rabbits. Pet rabbits are happier, more relaxed and healthier when they have a bonded companion by their side. If you don’t have rabbits already, we’ll ask you to adopt at least a pair.
If you have any questions, our team can help.
Here’s what we’ll ask from you
To ensure every rabbit goes to a safe, happy and suitable home, here’s what we need to see:
- Appropriate accommodation that meets at least the minimum size requirements (more space is always better!)
- Enrichment and setup in line with our care guide, to support natural behaviours and wellbeing.
- Companionship of the same species, if you’re not adopting a bonded pair or group from us.
- Photos of your setup, including tape measurements so we can confirm sizing.
- A willingness to work with us and take on any advice or small changes needed to meet our standards.
For already bonded pairs, we rehome within three hours of Godmanchester, and for newly bonded rabbits, within one and a half hours. If you live further away, we can offer advice on bonding your rabbit at home via a free telephone consult with our Small Animal Behaviour and Training Specialist, so please get in touch.
Travel arrangements
You’ll need to arrange your own travel to our centre in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire – unfortunately, we’re not easily accessible by public transport.
What happens next
After you apply, we’ll give you a call within two working days. If we are unable to reach you, we will send you an email, so please check your junk mail as sometimes our emails end up there.
Frequently asked questions
View our full small pet adoption FAQs
Are rabbits the right pet for me?
Are rabbits the right pet for me?
Rabbits are wonderful companions, but they’re often misunderstood as low-maintenance pets. The truth is, they’re not!
Here are a few things to think about before you apply:
- Rabbits live for around 8-12 years, so adopting them is a long-term commitment.
- They need significant space – a minimum of 3m x 2m with a height of 1m, 24 hours a day.
- They need to live with at least one other rabbit.
- A pair costs around £80 a month to care for.
- They need regular vaccinations and are prone to certain health conditions that can be costly to treat.
Not sure if rabbits are the right pet for you? Our guide to choosing the right small pet species is a great place to start.
How much does it cost to adopt rabbits from Woodgreen?
How much does it cost to adopt rabbits from Woodgreen?
Our adoption fees are:
- Single rabbit (to be mixed with your existing rabbit/s) — £44
- Pair of rabbits — £66
- Trio of rabbits — £88
If you use our onsite mixing service, we ask for a donation of your choice on top of the adoption fee, if the mix is successful.
I’m looking for a friend for my rabbit – can you help?
I’m looking for a friend for my rabbit – can you help?
Mixing at home
If you’d like to handle the introductions yourself, our behaviour and training specialists can provide free expert guidance throughout the whole process. From choosing the right mixing method to knowing behaviours to watch for, and how to move forward if things go well – they’ll be with you every step of the way.
Book a call with one of our behavioural and training specialists.
Mixing at our centre in Godmanchester
If you’d prefer to leave it to us, our specialists will handle the introductions at our centre. Once your setup has been approved, we’ll add you to our waiting list and be in touch when we have a suitable match. On the day, you’ll need to bring your rabbit/s to us, and we’ll carry out a quick health check before getting started. You’ll be kept updated throughout the process. We may need more than one session to find the right match.
We’ll ask that your rabbit is vaccinated and neutered and we’ll need to see proof of this from your vet.
If a pairing doesn’t work out, we’ll help you find another potential companion.
How long does the adoption process take?
How long does the adoption process take?
Once you’ve submitted your application, we aim to get back to you within two working days – though it may be a little longer during busy periods.
From there, timelines can vary depending on your setup approval. If you’re using our onsite mixing service, the number of bonding sessions to find the right match will also be a factor.
It’s worth starting your application as soon as you’re ready to begin the process.
I've seen a rabbit on your website that I want to adopt — when can I reserve them?
I've seen a rabbit on your website that I want to adopt — when can I reserve them?
Once we’ve reviewed your application and approved your setup, we’ll talk to you about the rabbits we have available at that time. You can then reserve your preferred one/s. Because of this, your preferred rabbit/s when applying may not be available by the time your setup has been approved.
If you’re looking to adopt a pair, we only rehome rabbits who are already bonded in our care. All pairs we have available are on our website. Any single rabbits you see are usually being prioritised to bond with an owner’s existing rabbit/s to help find them a friend more quickly.
Can I reserve a specific rabbit before my setup is approved?
Can I reserve a specific rabbit before my setup is approved?
Unfortunately not. We can only let you reserve a rabbit once your application has been reviewed and your setup approved. At that point, we’ll talk you through who we have available and you can choose from there.
Keep in mind that rabbits you have your eye on when you apply may have been rehomed by the time your setup is approved. So we’d encourage you to apply as soon as you’re ready to start the process.
Ready to adopt a rabbit?
Once you feel ready to adopt, you can start your application.
If you don’t have everything in place just yet, that’s fine! You just need to show you’re willing to work with us to create the best home for your rabbits.