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How to set up

Easy - just follow the steps below!

How to set up for your rescue rabbit

It is very important to us that our rescue rabbits go to homes that provide an environment where they can be happy, healthy and safe. 


This is why 

  • we only adopt to indoor homes, to ensure they are safe from viruses, predators and poor weather conditions. 
  • we ask you to organise an adequate setup and supplies as part of the adoption application process. 

Example setups:

We made it really easy for you to get everything!

You can purchase one of the Starter Packs from Pethomes (if you choose one of the Basic Packs you only need to get a pet carrier separately). If you would like to explore more buying options, please check out our brand new Shopping Guide. It will also explain what to look for, and what not to buy!

Starter Packs and Shopping List

Pethomes All You Need Starter Pack

Playpen | Play tunnel

Litter tray | Litter 7kg

Water bowl | Hay Rack

Vetafarm Pellets 1.5kg

Peters Oaten Hay 4kg

Oxbow Timothy Hay 4kg

Oxbow Treats

Pet Carrier


$320 + delivery

Pethomes Oxbow Basic Pack

Playpen | Play tunnel

Litter tray | Litter 7kg

Water bowl | Hay Rack

Oxbow Pellets 2.25kg

Oxbow Oat Hay 1kg

Oxbow Timothy Hay 1kg

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$230 + delivery

Pethomes Peters Basic Pack

Playpen | Play tunnel

Litter tray | Litter 7kg

Water bowl | Hay Rack

Vetafarm Pellets 1.5kg

Peters Oaten Hay 1kg

Peters Timothy Hay 1kg

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$190 + delivery

Shopping 

Guide

If you want to explore more options, here is the shopping guide for you! 


It also tells you what NOT to buy. If you decide not to buy from Pethomes, please read this first!


$180 - $370

Our 10 Points Checklist

(1) PLAYPEN
8 panels, 70+ cm high. Soft pens, cages and hutches are not appropriate. 
(2) LITTER TRAY
50+ cm long. Needs to provide enough space for a rabbit to sit comfortable and turn around. 
(3) TUNNEL
25+ cm diameter, ideally fabric. Gives the bunny the opportunity to hide and play.
(4) WATER BOWL
Capacity to hold 500+ ml. Should be difficult for rabbit to tip it over.
(5) PET CARRIER
Approx. 50 cm long, ideally hard plastic (rabbits can chew fabric carriers).
(6) OATEN HAY
Best brand: Oxbow. Other good brands: Peters, Friendly Earth, King Alfalfa.
(7) TIMOTHY HAY
Best brand: Oxbow. Other good brands: Peters, Friendly Earth, King Alfalfa. Alternative grass hays: Rye, orchard grass, botanical, teff, pasture.

(8) HIGH QUALITY PELLETS
Brands: Vetafarm, Oxbow, Burgess. No pellet mixes that are colourful, contain seeds, or are marketed as suitable for rabbits and guinea pigs.

(9) LITTER
Paper or wood based. No clay, no crystal, no clumping.
Good brands: Catmate, Ozpet, Proteq.
(10) SETUP INSIDE HOME
For the safety and wellbeing of the rabbit. Best location: corner of a room (not in the center).
Optional: Hay feeder
Can simply be a shopping bag or basket with a hole cut out.
Optional: Hidey house
Gives the bunny the opportunity to play and stay occupied. 

How to get pre-approved

We would like to see evidence that you have purchased all items (1-9) AND are prepared to integrate your bunny’s living quarters in your home (10).

 

PLEASE SHARE:

  1. photo(s) or screenshot(s) of your order confirmation(s) OR
  2. photos of all items AND
  3. a photo of where in your home you would set up the playpen, or have set up the playpen

 

HOW?

Please use our photo upload form, or send your photos to the volunteer who has reached out to you shortly after you sent your adoption application. 

 

WHEN?

When you have purchased ALL 9 ITEMS on our checklist. 

How to speed things up

  1. Order one of the Pethomes Starter Packs, or the items on our Shopping Guide. If you choose to buy other items, please stick to our criteria listed on our website or in our Shopping Guide. Avoid the items listed in our Do-Not-Buy-List in our Shopping Guide.
  2. Please make sure the photos or screenshots are good enough for us to recognise what you have purchased. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't know which bunny is right for me. Can you help me choose?

Definitely. In your adoption application we will ask you about your adoption preferences and living environment. If you would like advice on which of our rabbits would be a good match for you we are happy to provide that.

What happens once I get approved?
You will receive an email confirming you have been approved. Once you have made your pay-it-forward donation and made up your mind which rabbit you would like, please either get in contact with the volunteer who looked after your application, or send us an enquiry.
What reasons would you have to reject an application?

We will reject your application if

  • you live in a state where we don't have any rabbits (WA, SA, NT, TAS) or if you live in QLD and do not have a rabbit license.
  • you plan to let your rabbit live outdoors
  • you have one or more rabbits that are not desexed yet (in this case we would put your application on hold)
  • we see any other indication that the rabbit would not be safe in the environment you provide
Why do you only adopt to indoor homes?

If you keep rabbits outside you put them at risk of losing them to a virus (myxomatosis or calicivirus) or an animal attack. They are also susceptible to escaping or being stolen from backyards.

Why do you ask for $265+ for a rabbit?

All our rabbits are

  • health-checked
  • dental-checked
  • desexed (with ear tattoo)
  • microchipped
  • vaccinated 
  • treated for worms, fleas, mites

If you get all this done by a vet you end up with a $500 - $700 bill. With this in mind, what we are asking for is a bargain. We are not making a profit by asking for this donation - it just helps contribute to cover our vet costs.
What are the benefits of adopting from you?
  1. All our rabbits are health-checked, dental-checked, desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, treated for worms, fleas, mites.
  2. All our rabbits come with a lifetime return guarantee!
  3. We know our rabbits really well and can tell you all about their personality and behaviour. This also means we can tell you which rabbits are a good fit for you.
  4. We provide all the advice you need, including e.g. advice with bonding rabbits.
  5. By adopting a rabbit you make room for another rabbit to be rescued - so you are saving two animals, not just one!
  6. You become part of a community. Once you have adopted a rabbit we will invite you to join our Bunny Parents Facebook Group.
    Can I adopt a bunny that's located far away from me?

    Yes, you can. Our volunteers can organise a 'bunny run' to transport the bunny of your choice from the foster carer to your home.