Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert MARION GARNETT, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair continues her column
“DON’T forget, our target today is to find a man” – I was in a queue at a men’s singing competition at Harrogate and a woman next to me was talking to her friend.
There were nearly two thousand men there so it shouldn’t be difficult. Finding a life partner might be more so.
Finding a partner isn’t necessary for some people and animals, they are happy on their own but, for rabbits, company is important. Rabbits are highly social creatures and need keeping with at least one other friendly neutered rabbit. A common combination is a neutered male and neutered female although same sex pairs can also flourish.
Apart from preventing babies, neutering reduces the likelihood of fighting in both sexes. If you have a rabbit who is living on their own and you would like to give them the company they need, introductions have to be conducted carefully. Although rabbits are sociable, they are also territorial and you can’t expect rabbits who are new to each other to nestle up together straightaway. Rabbits should be introduced to each other gradually and under supervision, preferably in a space new to both rabbits. The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) have clear guidelines over how to facilitate the bonding process for rabbits. For details see rabbitwelfare.co.uk or call 0844 324 6090.
Unlike the lady in Harrogate, Dusty has found her man. Nibbles and Dusty were brought into the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) as a bonded pair and must be homed together. Dusty is the larger grey neutered female and Nibbles is the smaller white neutered male. They came into the care of NAWT as their previous owners were moving and the rabbits couldn’t go with them. They are used to living outdoors with access to a secure cosy shelter and large run. It’s important to remember that “A hutch is not enough” and the RWAF website has lots of creative ideas for rabbit housing.
If you would like to home this devoted couple, you can meet them at the NAWT rehoming centre, Tylers Way, Watford by pass WD25 8WT.
On Sunday June 10 (11am4pm), we are all invited to NAWT’s Birthday Party at the rehoming centre (address above). There will be a Cream Tea plus a Check your Chip stall for checking microchips. You will also be able to look round the animals needing homes, these include dogs and cats as well as guinea pigs and rabbits.