Building safe warrens across Aotearoa
New Zealand's most surrendered pet deserves a softer landing.
Rabbit Rescue Aotearoa is a growing initiative dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming rabbits — the companion animal most often abandoned, surrendered, or left in backyard hutches without proper care.
Why rabbits need their own rescue
Rabbits are routinely bought on impulse — often around Easter — then surrendered within months once their needs become clear. Aotearoa's general shelters are built around cats and dogs; rabbits need something more specific.
Easter surrender spikes
Every year, rabbits bought as Easter gifts are handed in once families realise the years-long commitment involved, often within weeks.
Unmanaged breeding
Un-desexed pairs multiply fast. Without early desexing, backyard hutches quickly become overcrowded, stressed, and unable to be rehomed as a group.
Specialist care gaps
Rabbits need hay-based diets, predator-proof housing, and bonded companionship — care that differs enough from cats and dogs that general shelters often can't provide it well.
Many of our rabbits come in pairs
Bonded pairs need homes together.
Rabbits are deeply social. Many of the pairs and trios in our care have already bonded and cannot be separated — they're looking for one home, not two.