Sophie's Smallies Boarding and Rescue Centre

17/05/2024

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION*

I have received several reports of sudden rabbit deaths in our area which led me to suspect that RVHD was becoming rife. After speaking to local vets they have received lots of similar phone calls and have now confirmed that RVHD is on the increase.

Owners are urged to have their rabbits vaccinated as soon as possible and to ensure all those who are vaccinated are up to date.

Sadly RVHD is fatal in most cases and as of yet there is no cure. Vaccinating is the only way to prevent this awful disease. Usually a rabbit will pass away with little to no symptoms within 2 days of being infected. The infection is spread extremely quickly.
Should you have 1 bun pass and have others then it is recommended to remove them from the housing and keep them totally isolated from possible sources. RVHD can live on housing, bedding, f***l and food matter for several months.

I would strongly urge that anyone planning on boarding with us is vaccinated. I would appreciate it if all vaccination cards are sent to me via a photo including the rabbits details and when they were vaccinated.

I have attached a link below for more information about the disease and information regarding vaccinations.

Many thanks, Sophie

There are two strands of RVHD and both are lethal to rabbits - Click here now to learn how to protect your rabbits.

01/05/2024

We have a lovely neutered male bun looking for a future bunwife!
He's had a crap start to life to put it bluntly and he just needs a nice settled home where he is loved and spoilt 💓

If you are looking to adopt or would like more information, please drop me a message ☺️

19/04/2024

From an aggressive and defensive solo female to a calm and collected bonded bunny 💓

Kyo (ginger), now named fudge, was surrendered due to a failed bond and she was biting her owners. After a few months with us, we realised she just wasn't settling and her behaviour was getting worse.

Along came one of our amazing supporters who have taken her in warts and all... And look at these results. She's now living alongside 2 other buns and is happy and thriving!

Sometimes behaviour can be triggered by the smallest of things, in this case she seemed to be lonely and lacking a connection with other buns. But now she gets to live out her best life 🫶

07/03/2024

One of my best friends is an amazing artist. She has commissioned loads for me over the years and check out the latest ❤️

Shameless share to send some love her way as I think she's amazing at what she does! 🐰🖌️🎨

https://www.facebook.com/share/rQf5GnLpV7QGKnB8/

A3 Mixed media Hare, watercolour, acrylic and pencil crayon. 🐰

If you would like one of your own (or something similar) please get in touch.
This medium commission would typically cost £45

03/03/2024

Here's a couple of great enrichment ideas for your bunnies which are cheap and simple to set up!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/YAo3CC4LZ7CtoVXV/

10/02/2024

Good morning!

I know I promised an update regarding the rescue in my last post. Life has just been so manic and a lot is going on at home right now.

So, with the rescue I have decided to close my door for good for ALL rescues. The food bills are crippling and we are facing monthly vet bills with long term illnesses. Initially, the boarding would comfortably cover these fees but it is no longer working for us.

So unfortunately, we are no longer going to be able to take any more animals into our care. And once all current rabbits are adopted, that will be it for us from the rescue side.

I have a lot going on personally at the moment and I need to focus on myself and the boarding side of things right now.

At the moment, we have:

1 x Neutered dutch Male
1 x bonded pair of females (reserved)
1 x neutered netherland dwarf

I will be doing checks on all adoptive homes and ensuring they are going to great homes. I would also prefer that all solo buns are going to a home with another rabbit to bond with.

For anymore information on who is available, please contact me.

Thank you
Sophie

04/02/2024

Hello,
It's been a while since I have posted updates. Sadly I am still awaiting spinal surgery so I haven't had much chance to update on here!
So given it is a new year I am going to post a bit of an update around boarding with us this year. We have had to make a few changes to keep us running which I hope you will understand.

Heads up to anyone planning on booking, please get booked in ASAP. Bookings are coming in fast with a few local boarders closing their doors last year, we are having an influx of new boarders! This is absolutely amazing for us, but we would hate others to miss out on boarding. So if we do find ourselves fully booked and if we have time we are able to expand the boarding centre as all housing is build by myself and husband!

I have decided to not take deposits again this year. Sadly, prices have increased due to the rising cost of just about everything at the moment! However, we will no longer let animals leave our care until bills are settled in full. I am sadly still chasing up money from summer bills which haven't been settled. Whilst I like to think I am a very generous person, this sort of thing is crippling the boarding which is preventing us from expanding further.

Please see below the latest information around boarding with us. I will update with current rescues in another post!

Many thanks Sophie xx

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Rabbit Boarding:
This is the standard price list for rabbit boarding. Should you have more animals than in these stated prices then please contact me for a personal quote.

*Due to people not clearing their balance in a timely manner, all fees must be cleared prior to collection of the animals* If you would like to clear your balance in instalments then this is perfectly fine, providing the entire of the fee is covered before collection.

Included in our boarding fee:

Rabbits are housed in a locked brick stable block in 6 or 7ft hutches of your choice.
Hay and Straw supplied at demand throughout the stay. This is home grown with no chemical use.
They are mucked out daily including a full hutch clean twice weekly.
Time on the grass in enclosed secure runs. (Season/weather dependant.)
Social time with me, including grooming.
Collection/drop taxi service for your pets at a fee.
​Fruit and vegetables are offered twice daily. This is included in the fee.

*Regular dried pellets/food for boarders MUST be provided to minimise the risk of gut statis. Should food not be provided then an additional fee will be added to your bill to purchase some.*

**Large outdoor pens are now available throughout summer stays *NEW for 2024*. For more information regarding the sizing of these and prices then please get in touch. As we only have 3 available these will be snapped up VERY quickly! **

I am also able to offer a health check, weight check and also nail clipping. Nail clipping is free as part of your stay, but I can also provide this service year round for £5.

Prices
£40 per week for 1 rabbit
£50 per week for 2 rabbits

Guinea Pig boarding ​Information

​Included in boarding fee:
Guinea Pigs are housed in a locked brick stable block in 5, 6 or 7ft hutches of your choice. 7ft hutches are predominantly offered for 4 guinea pigs and above.
Hay and Straw supplied at demand throughout the stay.
They are mucked out daily including a full hutch clean twice weekly.
Time on the grass in enclosed secure runs. (Season/weather dependant.)
Social time with me, including grooming.
Collection/drop taxi service for your pets at a fee.
Fruit and veg is provided twice daily. This is included in the fees.

*Food for boarders must be provided to prevent the guinea pigs suffering from gut problems. Should food not be provided then an additional fee will be added to your bill to purchase some.

I am also able to offer a health check, weight check and also nail clipping.

Prices
£30 per week for 1 Guinea Pig
£35 per week for 2 Guinea Pigs

*For more than 2 guinea pigs drop me a message for a price*

Small Rodents Including:
Degu, Chinchilla, Hamster, rats, mice, gerbil. We also have a small tortoise table now available to board tortoises too.

Included in boarding smallies:
In most cases housing will be required by yourselves (please confirm prior to booking)
Hay and Straw supplied at demand throughout the stay
They have daily muck out including a full hutch clean up twice weekly
Social time with me
Collection/drop taxi service for your pets at a fee.
Dried food must be provided for your pets for the stay. Fresh fruit and veg will be offered where applicable.

*For an accurate pricing please contact me as prices will vary depending on the animals needs and requirements*

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24/12/2023

I would like to take a moment to wish everyone a truly magical Christmas and wonderful New year 🎊🎄

We have had a very busy year with new and old boarders. We have had lots of successful adoptions. And I can't wait to see what 2024 will bring 💜

Thank you for all your support, friendship and wonderful pets!

Sophie & the tribe at Sophie's Smallies 💜 xx

06/12/2023

Hello, me again!

If anyone has any old hutches (wooden) going spare, then we are in search of some!! With the days getting colder we are providing extra shelter to the buns which means more houses!

If you do have a hutch you are willing to donate, please get in touch 🤞

Thank you,
Sophie 💜

29/11/2023

Hello!

Some of you may be aware that at the start of September I was really struggling following a slipped disc in my back. Unfortunately, scans have shown that I will require surgery in the next few months. Recovery is fairly swift with regards to getting back on my feet and with ample help I will be able to keep the boarding open throughout. But you may bump into a few unfamiliar faces!
Rest assured, I will still be checking on everyone and as per usual my children will be spoiling them rotten!

Hope everyone is okay, avoiding as many winter bugs as possible and looking forward to Christmas! 💜

Sophie ( & Copper - our new house bun 😂)

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01/11/2023

The result of a rescue getting the home they deserve 😍❤️

30/10/2023

In amongst the mayhem, this gorgeous boy has found a new home ❤️
We really hope he settles and bonds with his new friend! 💜🐰

23/10/2023

❤️ Thank you all sooo much for your kind messages, comments and support 💙

It has meant so much to me to read through all your messages. This side of rescuing is so difficult and it would push me to the point of giving up if it wasn't for the positive words and uplifting messages.

I've had lots of people asking how they can help the rescue, so I have set up a very small wishlist on Amazon. This isn't in anyway me asking for money, but offering a way for people to help me.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3KAV1N1TIWPNR?ref_=wl_share

Our little babies are still with me and very active. I spend most of my time with them. Feeding is going well for now, so hoping they are strong enough to get through the next couple of weeks 🤞❤️

Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart 💜

22/10/2023

The heartbreak continues 💔
Despite overnight treatment, emergency medication our gorgeous mama bun developed pyometra. An infection of the uterus. Likely due to two pregnancies close together. And constantly feeding newborns. Even with emergency surgery and antibiotics we had to let her go this morning at the vets 💔
This leaves us with 4 orphaned kits at home 😭. I've started hand feeding and for now they are managing really well.

If love could have saved you, then you would have lived forever 💔🌈

13/10/2023

It is with an incredibly broken heart to let everyone know, that despite mine and the vets best efforts, we have lost the eldest rescue litter. Their incredibly poor start to life resulted in their bodies going into shock after being weaned from mum.
They sadly developed a gastrointestinal infection and despite quick treatment, hand feeding and lots of attention we couldn't save them. We have lost all 4 of the beautiful kits. May they sleep tight and binky over rainbow bridge together💔🌈

This is the side of rescuing that breaks my heart.

09/10/2023

So here we are folks....
Our poor rescue doe has barely recovered from her last litter and has dropped her second 😞
We have had to promptly wean the elder litter and let mumma focus on her new babies.

From 1 miss sexed pair, we now have 9 rabbits. This will be physically and mentally exhausting for the doe. I can only hope she can finally relax and enjoy her life from now on with us 💕

25/09/2023

This is for education, this is NOT a people bashing/ shaming post. So please keep it nice!!

I was sent the first photo asking for help. What you can see is what you get. That is a male and female adult - un neutered, and their litter. This female is also definitely pregnant. And on initial meeting, she is clearly only young herself.

They've been fed carrots for quite some time. Their feed are stained orange, the mouths are orange. And the babies all have diarrhoea.

The female and the kits are all very underweight, 2 kits are particularly underweight.

They have all lived in this small cage together which isn't big enough for a guinea pig let alone 7 rabbits.

So what can we learn from this?
1. Have your rabbits sexed from a qualified vet or a suitable qualified person e.g a rescue, a vet nurse etc

2. Ensure you have suitable sized housing available. The RWAF suggest that a rabbit should have an enclosure of 2m x 3m. This allows rabbits to display their natural behaviours. Like binkying, running, stretching, flopping. Why not convert a shed rather than a hutch? Or use tunnels to get to larger areas to explore?

3. Understanding diet. A rabbits diet isn't overly complex, but if you get it wrong it can lead to disasters. Gut statis or diarrhoea is the result of poor diets. Where a gut can't process food. Both of which can be fatal in rabbits.
A rabbits diet should consist of unlimited grass/hay. This is usually anywhere up to 80-90% of what your rabbit should be eating a day. Alongside this, a suitable nugget/pellet should be provided once or twice a day, weighed to the amount according to the bag. Mueslies are not a good choice for rabbits. They will select the sweet parts and leave the healthy parts. Stick to a good quality pellet such as Burgess, select, haygates etc.

4. Understand your rabbits needs.
Rabbits can live up to 12 years old. That's a big commitment right? Don't rush in to get that pet rabbit for the kids, in 12 years they may leave home! Think carefully before taking on the responsibility.

5. Get those balls off! In all seriousness, besides preventing surprising offspring, neutering also is a huge health benefit. It reduces the chance of a plethora of cancers. It also helps to remove unwanted traits such as grunting, biting, fighting and in females nesting.

6. Just love them. Appreciate them. You are their human and to them you are their world. Each bunny is a precious life to look after. ❤️

I have attached the link to the RWAF guide. Which has lots of information on bunnies and great tips to keep them happy and healthy.

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-booklet/

Remember, this isn't a hate post or shame post. So keep it nice. These bunny's have been saved, they are safe and will get all the help and treatment they need.

Welcome to the mad farm babies, prepared to be spoilt rotten 💕

24/09/2023

Thank you to everyone who has already purchased hay from us! We really hope the Smallies (and chickens!) are loving it! 😋

We have ample of hay available, so will be able to keep you topped up all year! Just drop me a message to order more 🥰

Sophie xx

22/09/2023

*URGENT*

We have 2 adult rabbits and 5 baby rabbits who need my help here at the rescue. But they are unfortunately living in Washington at the moment. And I cannot get there. Is there any members who travel that way or likely to travel that way who could help transport them to me or at least half way?? 🙏

09/09/2023

Can you see me now? 👀

Finally got the signs and the gate up! 🤗

05/09/2023

And that's Summer 2023 complete! 🤗

Thank you to all of you who have chosen to board with me! I've loved meeting all the newbies and of course, welcoming back the regulars 🐇🐹

We are continuing to supply hay bags throughout the entire year! So feel free to get in touch whenever you need some! ☺️

Bookings are being taken for next year already 😱

Once again, thank you for all the support! You guys are the best 💫

04/09/2023

Me and the kids are home all day with loads of hay bagged up ready to go! Drop me a message if you would like to collect some today 🤗

1 bag £3 or 2 bags for £5 🌾

03/09/2023

Hay! 🤗

We were unable to get the small baler in right when we needed it. So we are selling hay by the bags for now, but potentially bales later down the line!

We are asking £3/bag or 2 bags for £5. Collection from the farm at an arranged time! I may be able to do local deliveries if there is enough interest! 😊

(Bags are 32L size approx)

14/08/2023

Hello!

Just a quick 'pre apology' post - my son has broken his wrist 🤦. So I may be slow to respond to messages and be a bit more awkward with drop off/pick up times!!

So sorry in advance! 💕 Xx

02/08/2023

Sneak peak 👀👀

We have decided to expand our boarding! We will be offering large outdoor enclosures for the warm and dry days of the year*!
We will be starting with 1 super long (in the photos) and 2 half this length. They will have mesh rooves and a shelter attached too - rain has prevented us from finishing the build!
We are hoping to have all 3 ready in the next few days. But given the forecast I'm not sure when they'll get their uses!!

Hoping to build more as we go - we have the grass and the space! So let's see where we are in a year's time! 🤞😊

*If we ever get any 🙈😅

30/07/2023

Did someone order a dandelion salad? 😋

Me and my children love long walks, and we never go without a bag to fill with goodies for everyone! ❤️🐰🐹

09/07/2023

Thank you so much to Tasha for donating some fab runs to us! This means we can provide even more exercise and grass time for our boarders and rescues this year!

Much appreciated!! 🧡

02/07/2023

For anyone who is heading to us over the next few days, we have recently released our VERY tame ducklings and they have zero fear of cars!

So please drive slowly as you approach the house 💜