We are now into our 4th year of operation. A very cold year so far:( A year of frozen water bottles and bowls and worry over cold animals. the only touble with big hutches is that they are not as cozy as one would like. We only yesterday got the last of the bubblewrap on the hutches in use, and have more to do before they can be used. Shelves have been added to most of the new extra large hutches to provide an area for the rabbits to snuggle into. Thanks to Caroline, Mel and Martin:) There are just 4 to complete.
We currently have 148 rabbits and 63 guinea pigs. Our rabbit limit has had to be revised upwards to 150 as we do have the space and there are so many in need out there. Somehow we will find the time to get everything done......
Last year 280 rabbits and 165 guinea pigs made Hopper Haven their home, although luckily not all at the same time! 112 rabbits and 106 guinea pigs left us to go to new homes.
In total Hopper Haven has taken in 441 rabbits in the three years it has been operating. I'm afraid I haven't added up the total number of guineas yet.
This year started well for guinea pig rehoming with 4 going in the first two days. We have since taken in 8 more which is not so good and leaves us with a few more than we ought to have, as with rabbit numbers so high guinea numbers ought not go over 60 really.
The rabbit year has not begun well at all. Poor Orchid was put to sleep as the enormous inoperable lump on her neck combined with her worsening snuffles, arthritic paws and the bitter cold meant that her quality of life had deteriorated too far. She has passed beyond suffering but leaves her poor husbun Blackberry alone and sad. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to bond him with Primrose, Petunia and Cleo so he has plenty of bunnygirls to cuddle up to. Sadly he lost Thuthu who had been his longterm companion about a month ago, so he is doubly bereaved:( We also lost poor darling Sam yesterday when he succombed after having a dental. To be fair it was not the dentals fault, he just wasn't strong enough, it was done a last ditch attempt to save him, but didn't work. He had suddenly deteriorated after years of ill health and teeth trouble. Run free lovely soft Sam, and darling Orchid.
Hopefully the year will go better from now on. We have two bondings going on, so hopefully 3 more of our rabbits will be leaving us to go to lovely new homes this weekend. We have also had a few more enquiries so maybe we will have space for a few more of the needy rabbits out there soon.
