Get Instant Answers
Nibbles is run by a small and dedicated team, and while we do our best, we may not always be able to respond to general enquiries as quickly as we’d like. For quick and easy answers, please take a look at our FAQ—it’s a great resource for addressing frequently asked questions!
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Adoption FAQ
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Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about adopting from Nibbles. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or need a bit more guidance, feel free to get in touch via our contact page—we’re always happy to help!
Q. How do I adopt from Nibbles?
We’re so glad you’re thinking about adopting—it means the world to us and to the animals in our care!
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We’ve tried to make the process as simple and smooth as possible, but it’s really important that each step is completed correctly to make sure every adoption is the right fit. You’ll find everything you need to get started here, including full details about the process and the animals currently looking for loving homes here.
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Our list of available animals updates automatically every day, so if you don’t see a particular species listed, it means we either don’t have any available right now or they’re not quite ready for adoption just yet.
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Thank you so much for your interest and understanding—we’re here to help every step of the way!
Q: Can I visit the centre to meet the animals before I adopt?
We’d love to welcome you to meet the animals—but as we’re a very small team, visits are by appointment only and need to be arranged after we’ve received and reviewed your pre-adoption form.
This helps us make the best use of our limited time and ensures we can focus on finding the right match for you and the animals in our care.
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Appointments are available during our office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday between 9:30am and 12:30pm. Once your form has been reviewed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable time.
Thank you so much for your understanding and support—it really does make a difference!
Q: Do I need to have a home check to adopt?
In most cases, no.
We stopped carrying out routine in-person home checks during the pandemic and found that it helped speed up the adoption process significantly—from 7–14 days down to just 2–5 days.
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Instead, we may ask to chat with you over the phone or arrange a virtual home check via video call. Physical home checks are now only carried out in rare circumstances, if we feel it’s necessary to support the adoption process.
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Our goal is always to make sure each animal is going to a safe and suitable home, while keeping the process as smooth and straightforward as possible.
Q: Do you have minimum housing requirements and adoption fees?
Yes, we do!
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Our minimum housing requirements are in place to ensure every animal has the space and environment they need to thrive. These are just the minimum standards—we always encourage adopters to go above and beyond where possible to give their companions the best life they can.
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We understand that some of our requirements might seem high at first glance, especially compared to what’s often seen in the pet trade. Sadly, there’s no legislation in place to regulate housing sizes for rabbits and rodents, which means low welfare standards have become far too common. Our approach is based on giving animals the care and space they truly deserve. You can read more about this in our related blog post here.
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You’ll find the specific minimum housing requirements listed in each animal’s adoption profile, along with additional advice in our care guides and pre-adoption resources.
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We also ask for a minimum adoption fee, which is listed on each animal’s profile. These fees help support the ongoing care we provide—including food, bedding, and any veterinary treatment they may need—but they never cover the full cost. Every adoption helps us continue our work and provide second chances to animals in need.
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Thank you for helping us put welfare first—it really means the world.
Q: Are all your rabbits neutered and vaccinated?
Yes, absolutely!
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All rabbits are fully vaccinated against myxomatosis and both strains of RHD (RHD1 & RHD2), and they’re neutered before being listed for adoption.
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If any dental work is needed, we make sure that’s taken care of too—so every rabbit is ready for a fresh start in a loving home.
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We’re committed to giving each rabbit the best possible care while they’re with us, and setting them up for a happy, healthy future.
Q: Will you bond my rabbit with one of your rabbits?
At the moment, we’re not able to offer an on-site bonding service.
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Due to limited space and time, we don’t currently have the facilities needed to carry out the bonding process here at the rescue. However, it’s something we’d love to offer in the future once we’re able to expand our rabbit housing with the right funding and resources in place.
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In the meantime, we’re always happy to offer advice and guidance to help you bond your rabbit at home—we know how important companionship is, and we’re here to support you wherever we can.
Q: What happens if an adopted rabbit doesn’t get on with my rabbit?
We completely understand that sometimes bonding doesn’t go to plan—every rabbit is different, and it can take time to find the right match.
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To help with this, we keep a placement available for immediate return to the rescue for six weeks after adoption. This gives you plenty of time to work through the bonding process at home without pressure.
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If things still don’t work out after that period, we’re still here to help. While we can’t guarantee an immediate return after the six weeks, we will place the adopted rabbit at the top of our waiting list for the next available space. As we’re a small rescue, we can’t give a timeframe for when that space will become available, but we’ll always do our best to support you and make it happen as soon as we can.
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If you’d like to try bonding with a different rabbit, we’re more than happy to help you find another match. Our priority is always the wellbeing of both rabbits—and helping you find the right companion.
Q: What happens if I can no longer keep an animal I adopted?
We understand that circumstances can change, and sometimes people are no longer able to continue caring for an animal they’ve adopted.
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As part of our adoption terms and conditions, any animal adopted from Nibbles must be returned to us if you’re no longer able to provide a home. This ensures that every animal stays safe and receives the care they need, no matter what the future holds.
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If you find yourself in this situation, please get in touch—we’ll do everything we can to support you and the animal through the return process.
Q: Do you neuter all rodents?
Not all rodents are neutered, but we do neuter male guinea pigs and male mice as part of our standard adoption process.
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All male guinea pigs are neutered before being made available for adoption, and male mice are also neutered to allow them to live happily with companions. For other rodents, we make decisions on a case-by-case basis—typically neutering single males so they can be paired with suitable female companions.
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Our priority is always to give each animal the best chance of a happy, social life in a loving home.
Surrender FAQ
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We know that giving up an animal isn’t always an easy decision, and we’re here to help you understand the process. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about surrendering animals into our care.
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If you still have questions after reading through, you’re very welcome to get in touch via our contact form. However, please note that you’ll need to complete a Surrender Request Form to be added to our surrender register—we’re unable to accept requests through the contact form.
Q: How long will I have to wait before you can help?
We completely understand that waiting can be difficult, but unfortunately we’re not able to give any estimate on how long it might take before we have space available.
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Our ability to take in animals depends on several factors, including available housing, funding, and staff capacity. Spaces only become available when animals are adopted from the centre, so the timing can vary.
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Please know that we’ll do everything we can to help as soon as we’re able, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding in the meantime.
Q: Do I have to pay a fee to hand in my pet?
There’s no mandatory fee to surrender an animal to us, but we do kindly ask that you consider making a donation if you're able to.
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Nibbles is entirely reliant on donations and fundraising to stay open, and every contribution helps us cover the ongoing costs of food, housing, and veterinary care. Like all rescues, we pay for all medical treatment ourselves—your support truly makes a difference and helps us continue offering a safe haven for animals in need.
Q: Will you come and collect my unwanted pet?
We’re really sorry, but we’re not able to offer a collection service. As a small rescue with limited resources, we simply don’t have the capacity to travel for animal intake.
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It’s the responsibility of the owner to arrange transport to Nibbles at a pre-arranged time. We’re based near Crymych in Pembrokeshire—please note that we’re not accessible by public transport, so a private vehicle will be needed.
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Thank you for your understanding and for working with us to help ensure the animal arrives safely.
Q: I’ve found a wild rabbit or rodent—can you help?
Sadly, we’re not able to take in or care for any wildlife. Our team doesn’t have the specialist training or facilities needed for wildlife rehabilitation, and our focus is on domestic rabbits and rodents.
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The most local wildlife rescue we’re aware of is Call of the Wild Wildlife Rescue, and they may be able to offer the help needed. We recommend reaching out to them directly.
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Thank you for caring and for doing your best to help—wild animals deserve the right kind of support, and you're already making a difference by seeking help.
Q: Should I bring my pet’s housing and accessories when surrendering them?
In most cases, no—we don’t require housing to be brought with your pet unless we’ve specifically asked for it. We have species-specific housing set up at the centre to meet each animal’s needs during their stay with us.
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We do ask that you provide at least a week’s supply of their usual dry food, to help prevent any tummy upsets during the transition. You’re also very welcome to include any toys, familiar items, or comfort objects that might help your pet settle in.
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We’re always grateful for any donations of bedding, hay, or litter as well—every bit helps us continue providing the best care possible.
Q: Can I see where my pet will be housed at the rescue?
Yes, you’re very welcome to see where your pet will be staying while in our care. When they arrive, they’ll first be placed in a holding cage so we can carry out a full health check before moving them into their enclosure.
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We completely understand that saying goodbye can be emotional, but as we often have other appointments scheduled and a very small team, we kindly ask that you keep within your 15-minute appointment slot. This helps us manage our time and give each animal the attention they need.
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Thank you so much for your understanding and support—it really does mean a lot.
Q: Will I receive updates about my pet after surrendering them?
We know how hard it can be to say goodbye, and it’s completely natural to wonder how your pet is getting on. However, due to our small team and limited time, we’re unfortunately unable to provide individual updates once an animal has been surrendered.
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Additionally, to protect the privacy of adopters, we’re not able to share any details about their new home.
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Please rest assured that every animal receives the best possible care while they’re with us, and we work hard to find them a loving and suitable forever home.
Q: How will you make sure my pet goes to a good home?
Finding the right home for every animal is at the heart of what we do. We have clear minimum adoption requirements that all potential adopters must meet, including appropriate housing sizes, proper diet, and suitable enrichment. For social species, we also ensure they’ll be living with companions of their own kind.
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Every adopter must complete a pre-adoption form, and we carefully review each one to make sure the home is a good fit. In some cases, we may follow up with a phone call or virtual check to confirm everything is in place.
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We never rush the adoption process—our priority is always to place each animal in a safe, loving, and species-appropriate environment where they can truly thrive.