Blackberry Boarding

24/07/2025

Vaccinations - Reminder
The majority of rabbit owners are well aware of the importance of vaccinations and protecting your rabbits but from time to time we do encounter those people who pay little attention to their rabbits health and welfare and happily take risks with their rabbits lives.

To think you or your rabbit are untouchable please do not be mistaken and having watched two rabbits die in the space of a week even with expert care of our vets was heartbreaking. Sadly once a virus has taken hold it's the end for your bunny and he or she will not survive. The two we lost here were vaccinated but unfortunately it was given incorrectly and left the rabbits without protection. The owners were of the opinion their rabbits were safe and protected as we were. The administration of vaccinations needs to be carried out with your veterinary practice and they can give you the advice as to what vaccines are necessary to protect your rabbits.
As boarders we ensure all our rabbits are vaccinated annually, yes all of them currently 17 which of course has a cost implication. So when we get told that their bunny was not vaccinated due to the added expense but we are alright in paying boarding fees for you to take the risk the question is often thought Why?
I would have to say all of our clients are happy to take our advice and protect their rabbits so please if you are thinking of approaching a boarder to take care of your rabbits, do not get upset or annoyed if the owner insists on your rabbits being up to date with vaccinations. They will be protecting their flock, others boarding and of course your rabbit.

23/07/2025

We said goodbye to Benny or Spotty Benny as he was called at the Windwhistle Warren Rescue this week.
This bun who was a very shy and reserved bunny and struggled with humans. He had however, in recent months, started to trust them due to the special care and love he received from his foster carers (thank you Gabby and Russ Cooper) who had hopes of bonding him with their own bunny.
Benny was originally with a friend who died before coming into rescue, he had as many do, become redundant and unwanted. He came to us originally in a very thin and poor condition and extremely nervous and no trust.
Several years later he had blossomed into a very pretty and would have to say well rounded bun. Many saw him and thought he was a female far too pretty for a boy.
Benny adored his food but would sit and wait for you to exit before eating and was always grateful for whatever he was given. With all his shyness when out in his foster carers garden he had a fabulous time and his confidence shone through.
All seemed to be going amazingly well for Benny until he managed to get a severe middle ear infection which was not responding to antibiotics. This is very often the case and daily cleaning his ear was not an experience Benny was happy with and with high dose pain meds and antibiotics he was already showing signs of being fed up. The next step would have been surgery and we discussed this with our vet, mainly the level of it which was a massive operation 3 hrs plus, removing the whole ear canal and possibly some of the bone within the ear. Putting Benny through this alone was a big ask but the aftercare nursing of constantly flushing his ear wound was really asking too much of him knowing his non coping ways. As well as total success not being guaranteed. The decision was take to let him go peacefully and not endure this operation. Right decisions are never easy especially with a rabbit who had everthing live for and a fabulous home in the future. R.I.P. Beautiful Benny x

20/07/2025

18/07/2025

How to leave a gift in your will 🤍

Leaving a gift to The Rabbit Welfare Fund is easy.

When you make or amend your Will, it’s important to have a qualified solicitor take care of it for you. A properly written Will makes your intentions clear – and it can protect those close to you from having to deal with complex challenges down the line.

By making your Will through our partner, National Free Wills Network you’ll be connected with a qualified solicitor that’s local to you. They’ll help you write or amend a simple Will for free.

The below link will take you to the National Free Wills Network:

https://myfreewillsportal.org/rabbitwelfare

Funds are absolutely vital to us, and we appreciate any help. Our Fundraising Manager, Jane Curry, can be contacted at [email protected] or by phone at 07359 060424. Thank you!

13/07/2025

Yes, rabbits love to eat fresh grass, but cuttings from a lawnmower or compost heap are a big no-no.
The heat from a lawnmower quickly causes the grass to start fermenting – a process that can continue in your bunny's gut, and cause gastrointestinal issues.

If you don't have access to a lawn for your buns to help themselves to, you can always hand pick grass, cut it with scissors or even grow your own grass in a pot. That way they still get those fresh nutrients, vitamins and fibre.

10/07/2025

Beat the Heat: Keep Your Rabbits Cool This Summer! 🐰🌞

Summer brings sunny days which means we need to take extra care for our furry friends.

Here’s how to keep your rabbits safe & comfortable:

💧 Offer a water bowl so that they can get a better drink; they will drink more efficiently and faster this way, and that’s important in the heat. Cool water will help to cool them down a bit. Don’t chill the water, but make sure it’s not boiling in the sun.

🧊 Do not give your rabbits ice cubes, as they can cause problems with their digestive system.

🧴 Sun tan lotion is a no. They are likely to lick it off, and we are yet to see a rabbit with ear skin cancer.

☁️ Offer plenty of shade, but if you are draping something over a run, make sure the air can circulate. The use of a battery-operated fan on runs or enclosures can help. Aim the fan at a frozen water bottle to cool the air it's circulating.

❄️ Frozen water bottles or cool pods are helpful.

No need to change their diet at all; just stick to their usual diet and make sure they drink lots by following the tips above.

Access to a safe, shady exercise area 24/7 is even more important in this heat as they will want to exercise when it cools down am and pm.

Share your keeping cool tips and photos with us! 📷

More tips here: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/hot-weather-care/

10/07/2025

Sign's of Heatstroke in Rabbits 🐰🐰

09/07/2025

Did you know…

Unfortunately the sad fact is that children often lose interest in their small pets after a while. We totally get that parents want to teach their children responsibility but we cannot do it at the expense of these animals.

If you get a small animal for your children, please make sure you are fully committed because you are the responsible one, and they don’t deserve to be passed around when the inevitable happens. Of course, this is not the case for every child, but the statistics show that children losing interest is a huge reason that rescues are overrun.

Consider that rabbits and guinea pigs are prey animals and are naturally nervous and prefer to be left with all feet on the ground. Consider that rabbits can scratch and kick. Consider that hamsters usually wake up after children have gone to bed. Consider that they don’t always like to be handled and can bite.

We need to respect our animals.

Think it through. Research. Commit.

06/07/2025

Simba you were so gorgeous x

26/06/2025

We are sad to report that we have had a confirmed fatal case of VHD in a rabbit who had been vaccinated with the standard triple rabbit vaccine. We are currently aware of another six suspected cases locally that are awaiting confirmatory results, of which all had been given the standard vaccination. Please, please be vigilant and we strongly recommend using the new VHD vaccination to protect rabbits as best we can in the face of an impending outbreak. We are very happy to discuss vaccination with other vets as there has sadly been widespread misinformation on the reliability of the standard vaccine which has lead to many practices opting not to provide the new vaccination.

25/04/2025

So it comes with heavy heart and great sadness we have an outbreak of VHD in bunny camp and lost two beautiful young boarders who were very loved pets. VHD has been doing the rounds and has caught up with us after many years of staying clear. Lola and Chico were only 10 month old so we would strongly advise you chase your vets for the latest vaccines to cover and give your rabbits protection. Our own rabbits were done in February we purchase a large dose so as not to pose any risk to boarders however single doses were not being offered. These will be once supply is back so please do vaccinate.
For the next four months we are unable to offer boarding and will be in touch if you haven't already been notified. Both Chris and I are very upset this has happened but it is a situation, which of course is completely beyond our control.
Thank you for your support as always and will post when we have more information.
R.I.P. Chico so sorry little bun you had your whole life ahead of you binky free with Lola ...

11/04/2025

We are seeking a helper for weekend work which involves washing / disinfecting cages and hutches. You will need to be fit and healthy and happy to work outside under a covered area. This is a part time summer holiday role and ideally a student seeking temporary work would fit. If you are interested please message or email
[email protected]