Blue Cross bunnies seeking together home

Poppet is a shy girl, who has found life as a pet very overwhelming. The little speckled bunny didn’t have the best start in life and has now spent almost a year at the Blue Cross Rehoming Centre in Southampton.

To begin with, she was a very unhappy girl. Rabbits like to have a friend and poor Poppet was lonely. So lonely in fact, that staff at the centre feared for her well-being as she became more and more withdrawn.

The team at Southampton reached out across the Blue Cross organisation in the hope that Poppet’s perfect partner was waiting in the wings.  Enter Bentley, a confident, cheerful, laid-back chap.  

Like a hero from a romantic novel, Bentley changed everything. His companionship really helped little Poppet to find confidence and come out of her shell. With Bentley by her side, although she is still sensitive around people, she is much happier. She was even seen running around doing binkies on their wedding night!

Poppet has improved so much that it is now possible to rehome her, with Bentley of course. They are looking for a forever-home together and will need to live with someone who understands rabbits and their needs.

Blue Cross Animal Welfare Assistant, Ruth Saunders explains: 

“Keeping a pet rabbit isn’t as simple as many people think. Rabbits are sociable little animals and can become depressed if they are made to live alone. Just like people can. 

“Poppet had become so unhappy and introverted that we were worried that her whole health was at risk and concerned that she might not have a future. She spent day and night huddled up, hidden in a tube, and had no interest in life. 

“When Bentley arrived at the centre, he was placed in an enclosure alongside Poppet, and as soon as she caught his scent Poppet was out of her tube and sniffing his nose through the bars.  We instantly knew Bentley was just the tonic Poppet needed. 

“They lived side by side for a week and, as all was going well, they were then released in a neutral area, away from either of their own territories. It took a couple of attempts as Bentley was a bit overexuberant at first, but now they are a match made in heaven.

“Poppet is living proof that, for rabbits, life is better with a friend, and we are so pleased that it is now time for her to go out in the world, with her ‘husbun’, and live happily ever after.”

Poppet and Bentley are indoor bunnies and will need a rabbit-proof space such as a spare room away from any hustle and bustle or even an insulated/heated outbuilding.

Anyone interested in adopting Poppet and Bentley should visit their adoption profile where you can also see Poppet’s song, inspired by Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive. 

Media contact

• Claire McLoughlin, Media Officer: [email protected]; 07778 428232
• Blue Cross media team: 0300 777 1950 / [email protected] 

Notes to Editors 

• Blue Cross is a national charity that has been helping sick, injured and homeless pets for 125 years. Every month we help thousands of pets and their people by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and find homeless pets loving families. We also offer education for future generations plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their beloved pet companion. We love the ways that pets can make such an amazing difference to the people they live with, and we offer lifelong support and advice to help that unique relationship thrive. With your support we can give back to more pets and their families who need our help. Pets change lives. We change theirs.
• 2022 is the 125th anniversary of Blue Cross, originally ‘Our Dumb Friends League’. The charity originally formed to help pets and their people through difficult times and today has never been needed more. From finding pets loving new homes, running a network of pet food banks and providing essential vet care, Blue Cross supports pet owners looking for help.
• To donate to Blue Cross this Christmas visit www.bluecross.org.uk/support