28/05/2026
Freddie’s Story & Update 💔
We are devastated to share that Freddie passed away this evening.
Following his dental surgery, Freddie’s throat and tongue suddenly swelled rapidly and severely. The vets advised that a burst blood vessel had caused the swelling and, in distress, Freddie bit his tongue in half. At that point, the kindest and most compassionate option was to let him go peacefully.
While our hearts are broken, we are incredibly grateful to have been part of Freddie’s life and to have given him 11 happy months filled with love, freedom and safety.
For the first time in his life, Freddie experienced what it truly meant to be cared for. He lived as a free-roam rabbit with no cages and no fences, enjoying full run of the apartment alongside his beautiful bunny wife who adored him.
He was even doggy door trained and had access to his own fully predator-proof courtyard where he could safely come and go as he pleased. One of Freddie’s favourite things was investigating the shopping bags whenever his carer came home, always searching for as many snacks as he could possibly get his paws on.
Though I was with Freddie for many months during his rehabilitation, our thoughts also go out to his wonderful foster carer who opened her heart and her home to give him something truly special — a home he could have never dreamed of. She gave him love, safety, comfort, and a beautiful bunny wife, and he spent those months being genuinely cherished and spoiled.
It takes a very special person to do that, especially knowing the medical journey he still had ahead. These are not easy situations, and they are never something we can fully prepare for, but they are what allow animals like Freddie to experience real happiness and dignity after what they have come from.
Without people willing to step forward and foster in these circumstances, far too many rabbits would only ever know cruelty, neglect and suffering instead of safety and love.
Freddie was rescued from horrific living conditions caused by severe neglect, irresponsible ownership and complete disregard for rabbit welfare.
The rabbits were left undesexed and housed together, resulting in constant breeding, fighting, untreated injuries and overwhelming numbers without proper food, veterinary care or suitable living conditions.
When he arrived into care, he was starving and dangerously emaciated, having survived mainly on kale, spinach and corn. Corn is completely unsuitable for rabbits and can cause gastrointestinal blockages and fatal complications. Freddie’s body had been deprived of the essential nutrients he desperately needed.
Without access to unlimited hay and proper fibrous foods, his teeth had become severely overgrown. This had already led to an oral infection affecting his eyes and breathing when he first entered rescue.
On top of this, Freddie suffered extensive injuries from fighting. His nose, ears, lips and sc***um were badly lacerated, bite wounds covered his body, and he also had a burn on his bottom, likely caused by a floor heater.
Freddie came into rescue alongside Frankie, who sadly was not as lucky either.
Frankie had extensive bite wounds, badly torn ears, severe urine scald, an oral infection, burns to his rear end and required urgent eye removal surgery. Tragically, during surgery, his frail little body went into cardiac arrest around three quarters of the way through the procedure, and he passed away.
We are truly lost for words as to how living creatures can be left to suffer in these conditions.
These two boys were only part of a much larger surrender that came into rescue just over 11 months ago. The surrender paperwork listed 30 rabbits, with another seven guinea pigs added later who were scheduled to go to another rescue. The family admitted they were struggling to feed themselves, let alone the constantly breeding rabbits.
Before we even knocked on the front door, there were deceased rabbits in the front yard.
Inside, rabbits were being loaded one by one into carriers from a room with no hay and no proper food. We were told they were being fed bags of spinach and kale.
The backyard was even more confronting, with deceased rabbits placed in salad bags and all of the guinea pigs already dead.
None of these rabbits had ever seen a vet in their lives, and the owners had no intention of seeking veterinary care.
This is why stronger protections for rabbits and guinea pigs are so important.
There are no laws protecting rabbits and guinea pigs from neglect, poor housing, lack of veterinary care or uncontrolled breeding.
Pet stores and backyard breeders continue to fuel impulsive purchases without proper education on rabbit care.
We know this story may be confronting and may bring differing opinions. But unless these realities are spoken about, they remain unseen. Without rescues and people willing to step in, situations like this continue.
By standing with us, you are helping create change. It may not reach everyone, but even if it helps one single soul, it matters. Every rescue, every foster home, every step forward is part of creating something better.
Freddie deserved so much better than the life he was given before rescue.
We are grateful he at least experienced safety, warmth, proper care and love before his passing.
Rest peacefully, sweet Freddie 💚
