Hopper Haven is an animal welfare charity specialising in rabbits and guinea pigs. These two species are routinely poorly treated in our society. Rabbits are the most neglected animals in the UK (according to the RSPCA). The common usage of the term guinea pig says it all for them. Both species are too easily available for purchase, being on display in pet shops where pester power often means that they are bought without proper forethought. The housing sold by these same petshops mean that the animals live lives of misery in cramped conditions developing painful health conditions through lack of exercise. Both species can also breed at an alarming rate, and accidental litters are all too common particularly as pet shops are notoriously bad at sexing rabbits. The desparate straits these animals end up in mean that there is a huge need for places of safety for them, both sanctuaries and rehoming rescues. Hopper Haven used to try to fulfill both functions but due to the huge workload have had to decide to concentrate on just the sanctuary side of things. We will however continue to provide help to any of the animals we rehomed in the past including taking them back if their new home can not continue to provide for them for any reason. From now on, apart from animals who have been here before, we will aim to take in animals that are in need of a sanctuary place by reason of age, health issues or temperament.
At Hopper Haven we aim to provide the best quality of life possible to our residents. This means they get the largest possible accomodation, the companionship of their own species, an appropriate healthy diet, and prompt and appropriate health care. Animals will only be put to sleep if their quality of life has deteriorated to the point that that is the only humane thing to do.
Hopper Haven has accomodation for 40 groups of rabbits, and 20 groups of guinea pigs. For rabbits this comprises 10 sheds with attached runs, 5 stables in the barn, 5 hutches with constant access to their runs, and 20 large hutches in their own enclosures. We also have 6 large hutches with runs underneath for use as temporary accomodation, a hospital area with 7 indoor cages for rabbits(dog crates or larger), 4 8ft bonding or boarding cages and another two boarding hutches and with separate runs. The variety of accomodation we have means that as an animals needs change so can their environment. For instance animals which need extra attention for any reason can be moved into the barn for closer observation without having to be put into a hospital cage and so can still have plenty of room to move around and can keep thier companions with them instead of the group having to be separated. Our groups of rabbits vary from 2 to 4 members at present, although at one point we had a group of 12!
We can only manage half the number of groups of guinea pigs as they need to be brought indoors for the winter. All of our guinea pigs live in hutches that are at least 6ft by 2ft, with quite a few groups having quite a bit more space than this, giving them plenty of room to move about. They are surprisingly active creatures, but all too frequently are given no room to move at all. Our goal is to give all groups of guinea pigs their own attached runs, but at the moment we have to move them into runs instead. Our groups of guinea pigs range from 2 to 5 members. Unlike rabbits there can only ever be one male per group (except in a male pair) which limits the number of males we can accomodate to 21 at the moment as we have only one male pair.
All rabbits and male guinea pigs arriving at Hopper Haven are neutered as long as their health allows it. Neutering not only prevents pregnancy, it also has health benefits for both species, and reduces hormonal behaviour, which in rabbits can cause behavioural problems.
Hopper Haven will continue to provide advice and information about the care of both species which can help you decide if they suit your lifestyle. When cared for properly, given enough space, companionship and care, they are highly rewarding to share your life with. The two species should NOT be kept together. It is well worth a visit to us if you are considering adding either rabbits or guinea pigs to your family even though we no longer rehome. You can see how happy animals live and get ideas about how to do right by your new friends. You will get the right advice from experienced people who are not trying to sell you something. We often have people tell us that they really wish they had known what their animals needed from the start instead of finding out they had been doing the wrong thing when a problem occurs. We also have leaflets covering all aspects of rabbit care from the Rabbit Welfare Association and our own guinea pig care leaflet for you to take and read and learn from.
We are open to the public on Saturdays from 2-4pm during British Summertime. At this time people are welcome to come in just to look around, for advice, or with a view to discovering what it takes to provide a good home to these species. Your own animals can be brought in for nail clipping, grooming, health checks or sexing. Our facilities are extensive and well worth a visit. The sanctuary is situated in a mature garden and a visit can make a very pleasant day out.
Hopper Haven gets no official funding and relies entirely on individual donations in order to carry on. If you are able, please make a contribution to enable us to continue our work. Resident animals are available for sponsorship and can be visited weekly during our open hours. This can convieniently be done by standing order.
Hopper Haven is run entirely by volunteers.
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