Re homing an animal, not just dogs or cats in need of a new home (RSPCA Animal Centres)

Member Name: sarah101

Product:	RSPCA Animal Centres
Date:	09/02/09 (115 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It feels good giving a home to an animal that might not have had a great time so far

Disadvantages: Heartbreaking seeing all the animals in need of a home

It has taken about 5 years of asking, well more like pestering but I finally gave in and decided to get a pet rabbit as the children are at an age where they are more responsible and willing to help with the daily work that a pet requires.

So went off to the local pet stores and saw some lovely fluffy little bunnies hopping about and had a look around for hutches when rehoming an animal popped into my head. I looked on the RSPCA website and saw that the local branch did in fact have rabbits available for rehoming along with dogs, cats and other small animals such as ferrets, hamsters and birds.

I phoned and spoke to someone who advised me they had an open door policy for a few hours each day where people are welcome to visit around the centre. I spoke to them about the rabbits and asked about what sort of hutch I would need and I was given great guidance by them and I was told that if I brought in a photo of the hutch I would be able to fill in the forms and take home a rabbit the same day or without a photo I would have to wait for a home visit.

We decided to go and view the rabbits and speak to someone in person about the requirements of the rabbits. I then did a bit of research into hutch sizes and rabbits and found a man who made hutches to whatever size you wanted and would deliver and assemble them within about a week.

At the centre we were asked to sign in and then told to go and have a look around. As an animal lover I did find it upsetting seeing all these lovely animals just sitting in cages/kennels looking interested in whoever passed by. After a short while a member of staff approached and asked if we needed any help. She then took us in to see the rabbits and got the rabbits we were looking at out and told us about them. They were friendly sister rabbits who were found in a park. We put the rabbits on hold whilst the hutch was made and a home visit arranged.

Luckily this all happened within 6 days so we were able to collect the rabbits the following Sunday. A check up home visit will also be arranged 6 weeks after getting the rabbits. The two rabbits cost £50, which when considering the fact they are spayed, micro chipped and injections were done recently actually worked out cheaper than getting a new bunny.

The people who work at the centre were friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable and I would really recommend a visit to anyone wanting to get a pet.

Oh and the rabbits are settling in nicely, although they are currently living a spoilt life as with the bad snow I ended up getting an indoor cage and leaving them in the conservatory until it stops freezing of a night time. But then I will put them in the massive 6 foot by 2 by 2 foot hutch with a 6 by 4 foot run underneath - which is the recommended size for two rabbits according to the RSPCA!

Summary: I will always look to a rescue centre for pets in the future