The Rabbit Sanctuary

22/09/2024

Hi everyone ‼️ Help needed for The Rabbit Sanctuary ⚠️🐰

The Rabbit Sanctuary is desperate for foster carers in Sydney! We have lots of friendly bunnies needing care but not enough foster carers 🥺 we operate all over NSW, VIC and ACT via our foster carer network ❤️

We have been hit with another skyrocketing number of surrenders, both from vets, people who find dumped bunnies, many already pregnant bunnies and bunnies found neglected in cages/boxes at parks 😔

💗 We can supply all the equipment and items you need

🗓 Both short-term and long-term foster carers needed

🏡 STRICTLY INDOOR (housed inside 24/7) CARE ONLY!

Please message the page or apply via the link at the bottom if you have any capacity to help out 💕🐰💕🐰

✅ Happy to answer any questions.

Apply to foster here:
https://www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/foster

21/09/2024

Eight tiny baby bunnies taken in from RSPCA Sydney yesterday and available for fostering or for people to adopt 💕🐰💕

Apply via https://www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/foster or
www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/adopt

19/09/2024

Midas is looking for a family to love him forever… as his last family decided they didn’t want him anymore because their kids lost interest 😢 This is something that happens way too often, but these bunnies deserve so much more. Midas has so much love to give, and just wants a home and family to love him too 💗 Could this be with you? He is only a young bun, but he’s already got a big personality and a huge heart!Midas loves to binky during his free roam time, loves pats and is rather the photogenic little fellow, with his harlequin coat.Could your family be Midas’ new family?📍Tamworth , Can travel.Apply today!www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/adopt

18/09/2024

Gotta applaud our foster carers for their creativity 😆
Our very lovely foster carer Stephanie Anne took a very creative approach of grooming her bunny Fudge in the bathtub 😂 this method helps contain all the hair so it’s not flying everything and is easier to clean 💕

Do you have any unique, helpful methods for grooming your bunnies?

17/09/2024

WARNING ⚠️ CUTENESS OVERLOAD ‼️

💛 QUOKKA THE BABY BUN 💛

This little baby girl was found alone on a street and rescued last week. We estimate she is about 6 weeks old, or could be slightly older, but she is smaller as she is a baby Nethie mix 🥹 it’s not often we come across baby netherland dwarfs, and single ones at that!

She has settled in right at home and is a typical active baby, jumping, zooming and binkying around, and absolutely LOVESSS head pats 🥰 she is also easy to handle (with experienced hands!) and will stay in your arms for cuddles 💕

She is UP FOR ADOPTION but we suspect she won’t last long, because who could resist her little face 😍

At the moment she is perfectly litter trained, but this could change as she grows older and puberty kicks in 🤭🤪 but likely will resolve after desex.

Quokka will be vetworked and desexed with one of our partner vets when she is of age, but can be ready to go to a furever home in a week or two when she is approx 8 weeks old!

RUN DONT WALK to apply to adopt adorable little Quokka at www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au

🐰 only the best home will do for this special baby 🫶🏻✨

📍 Located in Sydney

See more of Quokka on IG

16/09/2024

SYDNEY- CAN YOU HELP US RESCUE?
Three bunnies needing urgent help- one of the bunny has a big abscess on her nose and needs urgent vet care.

A rescuer has asked us for help but we don’t have enough ⭐️Foster Carers.

Please apply on www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/foster if you can help foster one of the bunnies needing urgent care.

The Rabbit Sanctuary will supply an indoor ⭐️Foster Carer Kit, vet costs, feeds and anything needed to help a ⭐️Foster Carer care for this bunny.

Please SHARE this with your friends in Sydney to try and find carers to help these bunnies.

16/09/2024

Meet our amazing admin volunteer Rach and her bun, Cinnabun 💕

Rach has been working proactively in Victoria helping all the bunnies in need and supporting our new foster carers. You can always find her at every Melbourne event we host and see her put her hand up to help wherever possible.

Cinnabun was originally found on the streets fending for herself. She was then handed into an animal rescue from the local council. Cinnabun stayed there in a tiny pen for a few weeks, before she came into the care of The Rabbit Sanctuary. When she came to our sanctuary, she was named 'Raisin Toast' before being renamed to Cinnabun after Rach adopted her.

Cinnabun stayed with a foster carer for 4 months before Rach adopted her to bond with her male bunny Boo. Over the past 2 years, Cinnabun has gone from roaming the streets alone, with no family to care for her, to living the royal life with her husbun Boo. She spends her days free roaming the house, with access to a secure courtyard for supervised outdoor time. She is happy, loved and doted on. 🥰

Thanks to the amazing network The Rabbit Sanctuary has built, Rach was able to leave her buns in the hands of another trusty carer at late notice when she was hospitalised.

14/09/2024

Many people come to The Rabbit Sanctuary to learn rabbit handling skills. Chuck was returned by his adopter because he was nipping and she could not pick him up. Kim Cooney invited Stephanie up from Newcastle to stay overnight and choose another bunny under our 100% return adoption policy.

Kim explained that knowing how to handle a bunny is very important so she suggested using Chuck as the 'model'. Once she learned how to handle a bunny correctly she could see that Chuck was a lovely bunny. He was nipping to get pats and was difficult to handle as she was not using correct methods to pick him up and hold him.

Chuck who came all the way to The Rabbit Sanctuary from Newcastle, went back home to live with Stephanie who can now enjoy his true, loving and cuddly nature.

People can stay at The Rabbit Sanctuary in farm stay accommodation to learn. All Kim asks is that they help out during their stay as it is a lot of work to care for 100 rescue bunnies.

The Rabbit Sanctuary is a calm, quiet and magical place for those that love bunnies. It is set deep in the Australian Bush. The bunnies are watched over by loyal Maremma guardian dogs.

If you would like to visit The Rabbit Sanctuary to learn and to help please let us know via our website contact page.

14/09/2024

What a great day at Coff’s Harbour Pet Barn today! 🐇

The day featured talking to lots of people about what we do and general rabbit care, as well as some fundraising face painting! 😍

We had many interested community members and even some sign up for foster caring 🥳 We are in big need of carers in the area, so if you know anyone please let them know!

Thanks to our amazing volunteers who organised the event and helped out today- Luiza, Steph, Ella and Lucy!

12/09/2024

Exciting news! One of our amazing partner vets, Dr Mae, loves this product.

Make sure to ask Dr Mae about it at your next appointment if you are lucky enough to be near her in the ACT! She has a mobile service and comes to you- how amazing!

11/09/2024

Parsley, “Lord Mayor of Bunny Villiage” at The Rabbit Sanctuary 💕🐰💕 www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au

Parsley has a couple of bunny friends that share Bunny Village but he is the overlord. His photo shows him coming out of hiding from a little house in Bunny Village when grooming time was over. (He managed to avoid his grooming turn lol).

Parsley has no front teeth. They were removed some years ago because they were growing crooked (maloccluded) but even without teeth he scares away all other bunnies that enter his kingdom lol

Parsley is a PR (Permanent Resident) at The Rabbit Sanctuary in Grafton where bunnies live when they are abandoned or unwanted or have disabilities or medical conditions that make them unsuitable for regular rehoming www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au

11/09/2024

BEFORE YOU YELL AT US! 💕🐰💕

Before you yell at The Rabbit Sanctuary, RSPCA, AWL, or other shelters because we can't take in your rabbit, stray rabbit, unwanted litter, or neglected school rabbit, consider this:

!!Yell at the pet shops selling unweaned baby rabbits to impulsive buyers who have no idea how big their bunny will grow, how much care they'll need, or that desexing is essential for their health and wellbeing. **Did you know that up to 80% of rabbits sold in pet shops are not desexed, leading to an overwhelming number of unwanted litters?** (RSPCA Australia, 2022)

!!Yell at the online sellers breeding rabbits in poor conditions—stacked cages in backyards, filthy environments, and with no knowledge of proper genetics, resulting in inbreeding and tragic defects like crooked teeth that spell an early end for these poor creatures. **It's estimated that nearly 60% of rabbits purchased from online or backyard breeders suffer from genetic or health issues due to irresponsible breeding practices.** (Australian Veterinary Association, 2023)

!!Yell at the pet shops promoting tiny cages and saying they'll be fine for a rabbit’s entire life, even encouraging owners to leave them outside where predators, disease, and neglect are waiting to claim them. **A study found that 40% of outdoor rabbits face life-threatening conditions due to improper housing, lack of care, and predator attacks.** (PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report, 2021)

!!Yell at the pet industry that continues to manufacture and sell these tiny “outdoor rabbit” cages instead of encouraging spacious playpens and promoting indoor care—an industry that stocks low-quality pellets and inferior hay instead of vet-approved, high-nutrition alternatives. **Improper diet is a leading cause of dental and gastrointestinal issues in rabbits, with nearly 70% of rabbits visiting vets suffering from preventable diet-related conditions.** (International Rabbit Welfare Association, 2020)

!!Yell at landlords who refuse to allow tenants to keep pets, making it harder for families to provide stable homes for their animals. **In some areas, 50% of rental properties have strict no-pet policies, pushing families to surrender their pets, including rabbits, to already overwhelmed shelters.** (Tenants' Union of NSW, 2022)

!!Yell at those who buy rabbits as thoughtless gifts for birthdays, Easter, or Christmas, without considering the long-term commitment and responsibility involved. **Shockingly, 80% of rabbits purchased as holiday gifts are abandoned within their first year due to a lack of understanding of their care needs.** (RSPCA Australia, 2022)

The Rabbit Sanctuary and other shelters are full, overflowing with abandoned and neglected rabbits because of these very issues. So please, direct your frustration where it belongs: at the root of the problem, not the places trying to solve it.

10/09/2024

🐰💖 Teaching kids how to safely interact with bunnies is crucial for both their safety and the bunny's well-being!

Meet beautiful Miss Sweety (available for adoption) and her little foster human, who are showing us how bunnies and young children can safely bond.

YOUNG KIDS
- Young children, especially those 7 and under, may not yet be fully aware of their strength or coordination, which can lead to clumsy or unsafe interactions.
- It’s best to avoid letting them pick up bunnies, as improper handling can cause serious injuries, like broken bones or spinal damage.
- Instead, encourage children to interact with bunnies at their level—on the floor, couch, or using a basket, just like in these sweet photos.
- To encourage a bunny into a basket, you can use food as a lure and gently place the basket next to the child. However, if the bunny jumps away, it’s important to respect that. Bunnies are prey animals, so they feel safest with all four paws on the ground, preferring pets and attention at ground level.
- You can invite your bunny to join you on the couch or bed by providing a ramp or steps and a safe spot for them to rest.

OLDER KIDS
- For older children who have better control and body awareness, it’s important to teach proper handling techniques: always support the bunny’s back and bottom, avoid squeezing or holding too tightly, and always be mindful of the bunny's comfort.
- When putting the bunny down, do so gently to minimise stress or injury.
- Remember, being picked up is not natural for bunnies, so if they shy away, give them time to come around.
- When handling bunnies, move slowly, keep a steady hand, and avoid walking long distances with them.
- It’s best to handle them over a surface with good traction to prevent injuries.

By following these guidelines, we can help ensure that both children and bunnies have a safe, positive experience together! 🙌

09/09/2024

Let's Talk About Rabbit Obesity 🐰

🐰 We recently had Blinky Ryan come into our care. She could barely move or clean herself, she had matted hair and p**p stuck on her bum and showed very minimal interest in hay which should’ve been her main source of food. She was previously fed a very poor diet consisting of vegetables and seed mix and was given minimal space for exercise. Blinky Ryan is now on her journey of weight loss and diet change, we’ve been encouraging more hay consumption and exercise 💕

🚫 Seed Mix is NOT appropriate to feed rabbits and vegetables should only consist of fresh grass and bunny safe leafy greens and herbs in moderation! Do not fall into the trap of “I’ve always done it this way and it’s fine,” as the result of a poor diet will come in the form of a slow deterioration in the bunny.

✅ Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for bunnies! Rabbits need a balanced diet of high-fiber hay, fresh grass, and a small amount of pellets, along with a specious amount of space to exercise to stay fit and healthy.

🚨 If you notice your rabbit is gaining weight, it’s essential to visit your vet to help you adjust their diet and increase their activity level.

There are many issues that can arise when your bunny is obese

- Obesity can cause health issues, including but not limited to heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems.

- Overweight rabbits live shorter lives. Often due to the compounded effects of health problems and reduced activity.

- Extra weight will affect a rabbit’s ability to move comfortably. This can limit their ability to exercise, play, eat cecotropes etc further contributing to weight gain.

- Obese rabbits can not clean themselves. Extra fat will limit their flexibility.

- Obese rabbits can get infections or fly strike. Not being able to groom themselves will lead to built up p**p and cecotropes.

- Obesity can strain a rabbit’s digestive system, leading to problems like gastrointestinal stasis also known as GI stasis.

Keeping your rabbit at a healthy weight is key to ensuring they lead a long, happy, and active life. 🥕🍃

08/09/2024

ADOPT THE MOST LOVING BUNNY GIRL, FERN 💗Meet Fern, the cheekiest and most loving girl 🐰 in NSW! Though she lives as a single bun, this super friendly bun is a good candidate for bonding with other buns and also good with children.She comes running if you call her with a specific sound😄 and kisses you endlessly😘She’s estimated to be 1-2 years old but the exact age is unknown. 📍 currently in Corrimal but can travel for the right home car 🚗 If you are interested in meeting her, please apply from the link below❤️www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/apply

07/09/2024

After being dumped in a box in the bush with two litters of babies, Mumma bun Agatha and Dad bun Boris really deserve the best of families to give them so much love🐇💗

These two are the cutiest pair, Agatha demands attention and just loves a pat and cuddle.
Boris is a little more shy but enjoys a good head pat.

The black ninjas are the winners when it comes to hide and seek in the house

Great with children Agatha and Boris will make the most amazing addition to your a home.

Ever considered adopting a pair? Not only are you providing a home for one but their partner and best friend💗

Currently located in Coffs Harbour but can travel for the right home 🚗

Apply to adopt via https://www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/adopt

06/09/2024

Did you know you can come stay at The Rabbit Sanctuary to volunteer? 🐇

Look at these lovely photos featuring Rishika and Arjun when they came to volunteer, and some of the things they helped with.

It is an incredible experience to be amongst all the bunnies 😍

We are always in need of help, so please share this with all your friends who love bunnies!

Interested in coming to Grafton in northern NSW to stay with us and help us out? Send us a message on our socials or an enquiry on our website.

04/09/2024

44 ADOPTIONS IN AUGUST 2024 🎉

We are so happy for all our rescue bunnies that found their forever home, and hope all adopters are loving their new furry family members!

Thank you so much to our hard working volunteers and supporters who make this possible.

There are still many bunnies in need of homes. Apply to adopt via https://www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/adopt

If you’d like to help a bunny on their journey to their forever home by fostering please apply via https://www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/foster

01/09/2024

Hoppy Father’s Day to all the bundads out there! 💕🐰

Today we celebrate the amazing dads who give our bunnies love, care, and endless snuggles. Your dedication makes every day brighter for our furry friends 🥰

We know many bundads such as Ye Min here, who is an amazing dad not only to his own bunnies but also the foster bunnies who were so in need of a home, love and care! ❤️ These are just some of his many foster bunnies over his 4 years of being a proud foster bundad 😍

Thank you for proving the love and care our bunnies need and being the best ‘dad’ a bunny could ask for!

We’d love to see photos of our fellow bundads! Feel free to share a photo of your best bundad moments in the comments 🤭

If you’d also like to share in the joy of being a bundad, apply to foster or adopt a rescue bunny at www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au 🩷

Happy Father’s Day bundads 🐰

29/08/2024

How many office assistants can you spot in Kim’s office? 🐇🐇🐇 the cutest office assistants you ever did see 😍

28/08/2024

MEIA NEEDS A HOME!

🌸Ballina Girl Meia🌸 is just like a puppy! 🐰🐶

Meia is an affectionate, inquisitive & SMART little lady who is still looking for her forever family. Every foster family she has been in has fallen head over heels for this gorgeous bunny!

She is very neat and tidy! She loves a cuddle, a pat and investigating the house!

Meia has experience around dogs and children ( ~8 years old.

It’s a shame black bunnies are so difficult to photograph. Black bunnies are often looked over by adopters because of superstition or the photographic difficulty!

📍Currently located in Coffs Harbour region but can can travel for the right home! 🚗🚗

Available to adopt from The Rabbit Sanctuary - apply today via www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/adopt

27/08/2024

Amazing article about bunny Fern! 🐇💗

Read this lovely article written by a journalist who really put some thought into describing this gorgeous bunny girl for adoption

Looking to add some personality plus in a pint-sized package to your life? Want to watch a bunny unfurl –…

25/08/2024

RABBERTO SO LOVED BY HIS FOSTER CARER
A big thank you to our partner Bunny Groomer Deanne Caruana Vista Grand Bunny Grooming, Boarding & Bonding for grooming him and giving him a lovely style cut. 💕🐰💕 RABBERTO is an English Angora bunny boy awaiting his forever home.

25/08/2024

Meet Granny, a Permanent Resident at The Rabbit Sanctuary. 🐇💗 She is our oldest rabbit at 14 years of age now. She was handed in during flooding rains in the middle of the night many years ago along with around 15 others. They were rehomed but Granny didn’t get a home. So she calls The Rabbit Sanctuary home. Over the years Granny has seen many rescue bunnies come and go and watched all the project and growth at The Rabbit Sanctuary from the establishment of the Bunny Barn, to the 6 Hay Mix fundraising project and more. Her funniest story is when concreting behind the Bunny Barn was happening and she popped into her hole underneath.😂They asked what to do and she got them to create a square opening around her hole so she could get out again. To this day she now has a concrete patio and goes in and out of the hole whenever she likes. 🥰The main concreter called Granny a “Lucky Rabbit” and was smiling and so happy that he was able to help save the rabbit. Did you know that when you donate to The Rabbit Sanctuary, you also help support the care of bunnies like Granny https://www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/donate

24/08/2024

🐰The Rabbit Sanctuary is keen to support a growing ethical bunny products and services industry in Australia ♥️
🐰We are proud to introduce our newest partner whose creation was inspired by one of our foster bunnies (Chesley!).
Bunny Affair has offered a discount for our supporters AND will be DONATING $5 to The Rabbit Sanctuary for each purchase!

🐰If you are a valued Volunteer, Foster Carer, Adopter, or Donator please take advantage of the offer to get a cool bunny T-Shirt or accessory of your choice and help rescue bunnies at the same time www.bunnyaffair.com
"Little Love's' favourite is the red t-shirt with flower power bunny on front!

23/08/2024

Use these simple tricks to help desensitise your bunnies to grooming! Grooming bunnies is incredibly important to prevent them from ingesting excess fur which can lead to dangerous blockages. Volunteer Lorina here gives some brilliant tips on some simple things you can do every day which not only help remove excess fur but can help you bond with your bunnies! Comment below if you have any grooming questions for us 🐇💗

22/08/2024

GIVE AWAY! GET A SAMPLE OF VETAFARM RABBIT ORIGINS FREE!
Current special giveaway of Vetafarm with every order for The Rabbit Sanctuary 6 Hay Mix!
Bunnies LOVE our hay and vetafarm so give your bunny a treat and also help our rabbit rescue with your purchase. All profits go to helping bunnies in need www.rabbitrescue.shop

21/08/2024

‼️ WINDSEA COCO NEEDS YOUR HELP ‼️

Windsea Coco is a permanent resident of The Rabbit Sanctuary HQ in Grafton. She has just had specialist lifesaving surgery. She had a bilateral partial ear canal ablation and right bulla osteotomy. Her illness is otitis media in the right ear (middle ear infection), and otitis externa with abscess formation in both external ears. Thanks to Dr Izidora AVES - Avian and Exotics Service for her amazing surgery, expertise and kindness to our bunnies.
😞

Our volunteers worked together to transport her on the long journey down the coast to Sydney, so she could have the best chances at her surgery 🥹

We are now fundraising for her large vet bill, please help us help Coco and donate if you can! This surgery has saved Coco’s life, so she can go back to hopping and sleeping with her bunfriends, Primrose and Biggy Smalls 🐰🐰

You can donate via this post or on www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/donate 🫶🏻 every bit helps!!

Please SHARE this post to help us reach more people 🙏🏻 Thank you for the support 💕❤️🐰

20/08/2024

COFF’S HARBOUR EVENT!

Did you miss out on our Sydney and South Coast events as you were too far away? Hopefully this event is closer for you!

Join The Rabbit Sanctuary at Petbarn Coff’s Harbour! 🐇💗

📆 Saturday 14th September, 9am - 3pm
📍 Petbarn Coff’s Harbour

**Event Highlights:**
- Meet some cute bunnies!
- Learn more about what we do
- Ask questions about rabbit care
- Foster and adoption information

www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au