How a small Liskeard bunny haven won a UK-wide rabbit giveaway

More than ten years ago, a rabbit called Blue gave Jess Wright the idea to start a rescue. That rescue has now come out on top in a giveaway that was open to rabbit rescues right across the UK.

J & M’s Bunny Haven, a small rabbit and guinea pig rescue near Liskeard, has won fencing supplier WireFence‘s International Rabbit Day giveaway. The prize pot is made up of £100 from WireFence plus donations from supporting businesses.

📷Rocket and Oltron

A sanctuary for rabbits in their final days

J & M’s Bunny Haven has been running for more than 11 years. It describes itself as the only rescue of its kind in Cornwall, offering boarding and rehoming for rabbits and guinea pigs.

These days it runs mainly as a sanctuary for older animals and those near the end of their lives.

“We primarily run as a sanctuary now for elderly and end of life rabbits and guinea pigs, to offer them dignity in their final days,” said Jess Wright.

“Our mission is to provide a safe and loving environment for our residents while helping them find their forever homes. We believe in making a positive difference in the lives and welfare of animals and we encourage everyone to get involved. Whether you volunteer your time, make a donation, or advocate online, there are so many ways to make a difference.”

One of the residents is Boris, a Rex rabbit who was living in a very small cage before he was rescued.

What the rescue won

The winning prize pot includes:

• A £100 donation from WireFence
• A 10lb box of 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay from Small Pet Select
• A water bottle holder and hay rack set from Buttercup Pet Products

📷Boris, a Rex rabbit, who was living in a very small cage before being rescued

How the giveaway worked

The giveaway was open to UK-based rabbit rescues, charities and organisations supporting rabbit welfare. To enter, they shared the official WireFence International Rabbit Day Facebook post on their own Facebook page and asked their supporters to like it. Whoever had the most likes by 26 September took the whole pot.

WireFence also wanted smaller rescues to have a fair chance, however many Facebook followers they had. So any organisation that linked to the giveaway article from its own website got an extra 100 likes added to its total.

J & M’s Bunny Haven did both. It shared the post and wrote a blog about the giveaway on its website, and those bonus likes helped it reach the winning total.

What is International Rabbit Day?

International Rabbit Day celebrates rabbits and raises awareness of their welfare and the care they need. WireFence says it is also a chance to recognise the rescues and charities that give abandoned and unwanted rabbits food, vet care, safe shelter and, hopefully, loving forever homes.

“We hope the prize will be useful to the rescue and provide some extra support for the rabbits and guinea pigs in their care,” WireFence said.

Support for other rescue projects

WireFence says it is open to hearing from UK charities and rescues working on projects that could use fencing, gabions or landscaping materials. It may be able to help with donated products or discounted materials, and requests go through its charity request page.

📷Blue, the special rabbit who inspired Jess to start J & M's Bunny Haven over 10 years ago