Your Guide to Adopting from Nibbles
Adopting might feel a little daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be! We’ve created this friendly and simple guide to make your adoption journey smooth, easy, and even fun. Check it out and see how simple it can be to welcome your new furry friend home!
Everything you need to know about bringing home your new furry friend
Why Choose Adoption
Adopting a rescued rabbit or rodent isn’t just about finding a pet—it’s about changing a life in the most profound way. For animals who’ve been abandoned, neglected, or surrendered, adoption means so much more than a new home. It’s their second chance to feel safe, to experience love, and to truly be happy for the first time. These are animals who may have only known hardship, yet their resilience and capacity to trust again are nothing short of incredible. Adoption is the start of their journey to a life where they can finally thrive, hopping or scurrying around with joy, free from the shadows of their past.
But adoption isn’t a one-sided gift—it transforms your life, too. These little companions bring an endless supply of joy, laughter, and unconditional love into your home. Their quirky personalities, playful antics, and gentle affection make every moment with them special. You become their hero, but in return, they enrich your life in ways you never imagined.
By choosing adoption, you’re doing more than giving one animal a brighter future—you’re joining a compassionate community dedicated to making the world a kinder place. Together, we create ripples of hope and change, proving that every life is worth saving. Adoption is more than a decision; it’s a heartwarming journey of love, growth, and second chances.
Let's get started on your journey to adoption
Meet Jeffery
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When Jeffery (aka Angel) (left) arrived at Nibbles, he was in heartbreaking condition. His fur was so severely matted that he couldn’t even hop properly or lift his head. It took over four hours of careful work with scissors to free him from the painful tangles. Despite it all, Jeffery’s gentle and loving spirit shone through, and after being neutered and vaccinated, he was ready for a fresh start.
That fresh start came when his new mum fell head over heels for him. She introduced him to his very own "wifebun,” and now Jeffery is living the dream as a free-range house rabbit. He fills his home with endless joy, from his playful binkies across the living room to his affectionate nuzzles. His mum says that Jeffery has brought so much love and laughter into her life, and she can’t imagine her days without him. From a life of discomfort to one of boundless happiness, Jeffery truly embodies the magic of adoption!
First Steps to Adopting
Before you jump into filling out the pre-adoption form, let’s take a moment to make sure our minimum adoption requirements are a good fit for you.
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We understand how confusing it can be to navigate all the advice out there. Sadly, the pet trade hasn’t quite caught up with modern welfare standards for small pets, and many outdated practices can cause real harm—both physically and emotionally—to our furry friends.
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But don’t worry, you’re in the right place now! We’re here to help you give your future furry family members the happiest, healthiest life possible.
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You might be wondering why we have these minimum requirements in the first place. There are lots of reasons, and if you’d like to learn more about why our standards are different from what pet shops suggest, you can check out our blog post here.
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When you're ready, you’ll find links to the adoption guides for each species in the box below. Let’s get started on the journey to finding your perfect match!
Read Our Species Specific Pre-Adoption Guides
Our Pre-Adoption Form
At Nibbles, we’re committed to helping our animals find their forever homes as quickly and smoothly as possible. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we adapted our adoption process to meet restrictions that prevented in-person home checks. By introducing a detailed pre-adoption form, we’ve been able to gather all the essential information we need upfront—much of which we used to collect during home visits.
This change not only kept adoptions moving during challenging times but also proved to be a much quicker and more efficient way of doing things! By streamlining the process, we reduced the time from submitting the form to finalising an adoption from 10–14 days to just 2–5 days.
While our pre-adoption form does require detailed information, it takes only 10–15 minutes to complete with a bit of preparation. Having everything we need upfront means you can book your adoption appointment faster, giving you more time to focus on welcoming your new furry friend home.
Thank you for helping us ensure our animals find loving homes as swiftly as possible!
What You'll Need to Complete Your Pre-Adoption Form
Getting Your Accommodation Photo Right
The most common reason for delays in the adoption process is not submitting a photo of the accommodation in the correct format.
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​Getting this right the first time means we can process your application much faster, bringing you closer to welcoming your new furry friend! Here's a perfect example of how to do it right and speed up your adoption journey.
Avoid Common Mistakes When Submitting Your Pre-Adoption Form
We know how exciting it is to start the journey toward adopting a furry companion, and we want to make the process as smooth as possible for you. To help us process your application quickly and avoid delays, please double-check that your form is complete before submitting it. Unfortunately, we can’t move forward if key information is missing, so here are the most common reasons forms are sent back:
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Incomplete Housing Photos
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Make sure to upload at least one clear image of the accommodation, including an A4 sheet of paper with the names of the animals you wish to adopt clearly written.
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You can upload up to 4 images of the housing—more detail is always helpful!
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Missing Proof of Vaccination (Rabbits Only)
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For rabbit adoptions, we require proof of vaccination. This can be a vaccine record card or a dated invoice from your vet.
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No Written Permission from Landlords
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If you rent your home, you’ll need formal written permission from your landlord to keep pets. A screenshot of a casual text message is not acceptable—please ensure it’s a formal document or letter.
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Lack of Proof of Address
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We require proof of address, such as a valid driving licence or a recent utility bill.
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Taking a little extra time to check everything is included means we can process your form more quickly, getting you one step closer to meeting your new furry friend. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation—it really does make a difference!
Ready to Welcome Your New Companion?
Thank you for taking the time to read our adoption guide! We hope it has given you all the information you need to get started. By following these steps and ensuring your pre-adoption form is complete, you're helping us match our animals with loving homes quickly and smoothly.
We’re so excited to help you find your perfect furry friend and begin this wonderful journey together. When you're ready, click the link below to complete your pre-adoption form and take the next step toward bringing your new companion home.
Thank you for choosing adoption and for supporting our mission—we can’t wait to see you soon!
If you have any more questions about our adoption process, we’d love to help! Take a look at our FAQ page—it’s a great place to find answers and helpful information