Responsible Private Rehoming Guide
​This guide is for individuals who are looking to rehome their own rabbits or rodents. If you're no longer able or willing to care for your animals, it's essential to ensure they’re placed into a safe, suitable home. This page will help you understand how to rehome responsibly and legally, with your animal’s welfare as the top priority.
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Rescue spaces are extremely limited and prioritised for the most urgent and vulnerable cases. This means many people need to seek alternative options when looking to rehome. It’s your responsibility to ensure this is done legally and with your animal’s welfare at the heart of every decision.
This guide will walk you through how to rehome responsibly, avoid common mistakes, and give your animals the best chance of a safe and happy future.
Why Responsible Rehoming Matters
Rabbits and rodents are some of the most frequently abandoned and neglected animals in the UK. Poor or careless rehoming can lead to immense suffering—from animals being kept in inadequate conditions to being used as live food or breeding stock.
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When you give away animals without proper checks, you have no control over where they end up or how they’re treated. Not every home that seems “nice” will meet their needs—and some will deliberately mislead you. That’s why responsible rehoming matters.
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You are legally responsible for their welfare until ownership is formally transferred. Abandoning, releasing into the wild, or rehoming without care can lead to legal consequences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
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By following this guide, you’ll help protect your animals and give them the second chance they deserve—safely and ethically.
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Before You Rehome: Things to Consider
Before you begin looking for a new home for your rabbits or rodents, it’s important to take a step back and consider a few key things. Responsible rehoming starts with making sure it's the right decision and that your animals are set up for the best possible future.
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Is Rehoming Necessary?
Sometimes challenges with care can feel overwhelming—but they may be manageable with a little thought or adjustment.
Ask yourself:
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Is the issue temporary or permanent?
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Have all other realistic options been considered?
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Are you confident rehoming is the most responsible step?
Rehoming should always be a carefully considered, last resort decision. Once you hand an animal over, you lose control over their future—so it’s important to be absolutely sure it’s the right choice.
Health Check
Animals being rehomed should ideally have:
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A recent health check by a vet
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Up-to-date vaccinations (for rabbits: Myxomatosis, RHD1 & RHD2)
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Neutering/spaying for rabbits and where appropriate for rodent species
If your animal has any medical conditions, be honest and transparent when rehoming. This helps protect their welfare and ensures they go to someone who understands their needs.
Pairing & Bonding
Rabbits and many rodents are highly social and often live in bonded pairs or groups. These relationships are essential to their wellbeing and should not be broken unless absolutely necessary.
Whenever possible:
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Rehome bonded animals together.
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Explain the importance of the bond to potential new homes.
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If rehoming a single rabbit or social rodent, make sure the new home has safe, appropriate bonding plans in place.
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Breaking a bond can cause serious stress and impact long-term health and behaviour—keeping companions together is often the kindest and most responsible option.
How to Rehome Responsibly
Once you've made the decision to rehome, the next step is finding the right home—not just the first one that comes along. Responsible rehoming means taking time to protect your animal’s future and avoid placing them at risk.
Never Give Away Animals for Free
It might feel kinder to offer your animals for free, but this often leads to unsafe or exploitative situations. Animals given away without any value attached are more likely to be:
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Used as live food for reptiles
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Taken for backyard breeding
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Passed on again without proper care
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Housed in inadequate or neglectful conditions
A modest adoption fee helps deter the wrong people and attract more committed owners. It also gives you a chance to vet those who are genuinely prepared to care for them.
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Ask the Right Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask potential adopters questions. A responsible new owner will understand that you’re trying to do the right thing.
Questions to consider:
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Have you had rabbits/rodents before?
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What housing will you provide?
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Will they live indoors or outdoors?
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What’s your understanding of their diet and daily care?
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Do you have any other pets?
This helps you understand their experience and expectations—and whether they’ve done the research needed.
Do a Home Check (If Possible)
A home visit is the best way to see where your animal will be living. If that isn’t practical:
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Ask for photos or a video of their setup
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Check that housing meets minimum welfare standards (space, safety, enrichment)
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Make sure any existing animals are suitable companions
Don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right.
Create a Rehoming Agreement
Even if it’s informal, a basic written agreement helps protect both you and the animal. It should include:
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Date of transfer
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Animal’s details (name, species, age, sex, neutered, vaccinated)
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A clear statement that the new owner takes full responsibility for future care
This sets expectations and provides a simple record of the handover.
Stay Local if You Can
Rehoming within a reasonable distance allows you to do proper checks and avoid long, stressful journeys for your animal. It also means you may be able to follow up if needed.
Be cautious about people offering to collect or couriers suggesting to "take them off your hands"—these are often red flags.
What Not to Do
Rehoming must always be done with the animal’s welfare and legal protection in mind. While it can feel urgent or overwhelming, taking shortcuts or making rushed decisions can put your animal at serious risk. The following actions are never acceptable—and in some cases, they’re also illegal.
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🚫 Don’t Release Animals into the Wild
Domestic rabbits and rodents cannot survive in the wild. They face starvation, injury, disease, and predation. Releasing them is not only inhumane—it is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
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🚫 Don’t Abandon Animals at Vet Clinics or Rescues
Leaving animals at a vet practice, rescue, or pet shop without prior agreement is considered abandonment. These organisations are often already overwhelmed, and abandoning animals in this way can lead to legal consequences.
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🚫 Don’t Use “Free to a Good Home” Ads Without Checks
These types of adverts may seem like the quickest solution—but they are also the riskiest. Without proper screening, you cannot know whether the new home will meet your animal’s needs—or whether they’ll be sold on, neglected, or worse.
When Rescue is the Only Option
We understand that not everyone is in a position to rehome animals themselves—sometimes, despite best efforts, it just isn’t possible to find a suitable home or manage the process safely.
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In some cases, surrendering an animal to a rescue is the most responsible course of action. However, it’s important to be aware that rescue spaces are extremely limited. The demand for help far outweighs what most rescues can provide, and waiting lists are often long.
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Why It’s So Difficult to Get a Space
Rabbits and rodents are among the hardest animals to rehome. Low adoption demand, high care needs, and limited capacity mean that spaces don’t become available quickly. Priority is always given to animals in the most urgent need—such as those facing abandonment, neglect, or harm.
This means we cannot offer immediate intake in most situations, and in many cases, it may take weeks or even months before a space opens.
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Making a Responsible Surrender Request
If you have exhausted all other responsible options and believe that rescue is the only path forward:
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Be honest about your situation and the reasons for rehoming.
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Provide clear and accurate information about the animal(s), including age, sex, health, behaviour, and any known history.
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Understand that submitting a request does not guarantee a space or an immediate response.
To make a surrender request, please visit our Surrender Request Page for full details and requirements.
Please remember: Abandoning an animal, or rehoming without care, puts their welfare at risk and may break the law. Seeking rescue support is the right thing to do—but it must be done responsibly, with patience and understanding.