The Wistful Warren
Rabbit Rescue
NSW, Australia
Adoption Process
In order to adopt one of our rabbits we need to ensure you have an adequate understanding of the responsibilities and care required in looking after one of these special animals.
In addition to adequate space and equipment, you will need to cover approximately $20 per week in food expenses.
Please click on the button below to fill out one of our application forms after you have browsed our photo gallery of available rabbits.
Adoption Fee
Like most Rescue Shelters, we unfortunately have to charge a fee to cover the costs of preparing each animal for a safe and healthy adoption.
Current adoption fee is $175
for a Single Rabbit or $250 for a Pair
which covers 30-50% of the costs incurred by The Wistful Warren.
Please see below for a breakdown of costs invovled.
Each rabbit needs to be vet checked, vaccinated, and come with a basic package of food and equipment to ensure it's first month with you is provided for. Rabbits must maintain consistency with their diet and feeding as much as possible as they are very sensitive to changes in gut health. Any changes to diet must happen gradually.
Your rabbit/rabbits will also come with a Desexing certificate and Vaccination Certificate. Desexing costs $200-$325 PER rabbit so by adopting from a rescue you are making considerable savings.
Please note, all adopted rabbits come with a guarantee, such that if you change your mind, you will be refunded in full (minus $50 for administration costs) and the rabbit or rabbits can be returned to us.
Example of Costs
Vaccination
This ranges from $90 to $130 cost at most vets, so the Wistful Warren has chosen to absorb 50% of this average cost and pass on the remaining cost of a flat $40 to adoptive families. Your adopted rabbit will come with a vaccination certificate.
Vet Check
The average cost of a Vet check that includes teeth, respiration, eyes and movement is $40. The Wistful Warren has chosen to absorb 50% of this average cost and pass on the remaining cost of $20 to adoptive families.
Water Bottle
(at least 300ml)
The healthiest water for a rabbit is in a heavy ceramic bowl as this promotes correct posture and uptake of water. However, this requires constant monitoring and replacing due to contamination which is outside the realistic management of most busy families. Thus, the Wistful Warren supports the use of glass water bottles which provides a consistent and reliable source of fresh water. We feel reliable access to water is the most important factor.
In addition, bottles less than 300mL capacity require more regular checking and re-filling, which also puts a strain on families. The average glass 300ml+ Water bottle costs $20, thus 50% of this = $10 (which is passed on to adoptive families)
1 month supply of Food
(Hay & Burgess pellets)
Each rabbit will come with 2kg of Hay and 1 month supply of Burgess Excel Nuggets (dry pellets). Please remember HAY is the most important food for a rabbit and should make up 80% of a rabbit's diet. Too many pellets will lead to obesity and should be given ONLY as 1 eggcup full daily.
2 weeks supply of Oaten ($20 average cost) + 1kg Burgess Pellets ($20 average cost) = $40 cost of which 50% is absorbed by The Wistful Warren.
Thus, $20 for 1 month supply of dry food is passed on to the adoptive family.
Please note, Rabbit pellets sold in supermarkets do not have adequate nutritional content for sustained health and should be avoided. When you are looking for the best rabbit pellets it is important to look on the back of the bag for the nutritional analysis. If there is no nutrition information, then you are not looking at a quality pellet. Here are the key components to look for:
Fiber (25%-30%): If your rabbit does not get enough fiber, they will die. It is crucial.
Protein (15% or less): Excess protetin can lead to ++ weight gain, stomach upset & diarrhea
Fat (equal to or less than 2%)
Calcium (Max of .8%): If adult rabbits are allowed to consume to much calcium, they may develop bladder and kidney problems.
Desexing
As also mentioned above, our rabbits are progressively undergoing desexing as this is important for rabbit health and ongoing protection within society. Rabbits breed very easily and many well-meaning pet owners often find themselves with an unexpected litter or two which can easily mean another 12+ rabbits to look after.
Desexing ranges from $200-$350 so the Wistful Warren has chosen to absorb 50% of this average cost and pass on the remaining cost of a flat $100 to adoptive families. This fee is only applicable if your rabbit is desexed when you adopt them.
Adoption Success Stories
As of December 2023, in our second year of operation, we have proudly adopted out 30 rabbits.
These are pictured here and can be seen in more detail at the bottom of our Adoption gallery. We are so proud to have helped these rabbits, their former owners, and their new forever families.
We wish them a lifetime of binkies and bunny hopping love!
