Unconditional devotion to animals in Stanmore
Visiting Little Furries Rabbit Rescue in Stanmore
Suraj and I went to visit this rescue a few weeks ago. I can’t tell you how devoted, selfless and wonderful Nico and Cinzia are.
Every single part of their home is dedicated to helping injured and unwanted animals. In their case, the name doesn’t represent what they do! When we visited they had rabbits, guinea pigs, parrots, cats, pigeons and hedgehogs in their care. I’ve never seen anything like it.
I wanted to visit so that I could see the rescue with my own eyes and then write an article about them but the visit moved me in a way that I didn’t count on.
Below, you’ll find out lots of information about the rescue, as well as, hearing about Cinzia and Nico’s journey before they began this selfless cause.
What is Little Furries? What do you do?
Little Furries Rabbit Rescue is a small, privately run, rabbit rescue in Stanmore, North London. Over the years, we have taken in many rabbits rescued from neglect and abandonment, including many who were left at the vet, in a park or on the street.
These bunnies haven’t had a great start in life as they may have been deprived of love, attention, food, water, shelter or all of the above!
At the rescue, we work on regaining their trust in humans and help them bond with a bunny companion to show them life can be good again.
Many of the rabbits are permanent residents because of ill health, disability or simply old age. However, there are many rabbits who need a good home.
What was the original intention behind Little Furries? How did your journey begin?
Like many people, we never set out to be a rescue, far from it. Outside of work, we had dedicated most of our time to helping other rescue centres and sanctuaries. We did this by running volunteer days, fundraiser events, helping out on open days and making financial contributions. We had pet bunnies at the time, cats and a parrot.
It all started on one of our workdays. One of the farm animal sanctuaries had taken in a family of 5 bunnies, which consisted of mum, dad and three babies. It seemed that a couple had separated, sold their home, moved out and left the bunnies locked in a small hutch without food and water and in the middle of August. We couldn’t leave them there, so we took them home! The farm animal sanctuary knew how to love and care for many animals but rabbits are not farm animals and contrary to common belief, rabbits need to be cared for in a particular way.
A few days later, we were called out through our wildlife rescue work to pick up three bunnies found in a park. They were crammed in a wire cage. We took those home too, word got out and that’s how it began!
We have always helped animals however, we had no idea about how many bunnies needed help and that there were no provisions for these scenarios in London. Before we knew it, we had 19 bunnies and it didn’t look like the need was going to fade out.
A friend suggested we set ourselves up as a rescue, create a page on Facebook and a website so that we can rehome these gorgeous bunnies. Unfortunately, this was the most counterproductive thing we’ve done! Becoming visible resulted in many more bunnies coming our way. Yikes!
It took some time, but we organised ourselves and rearranged our home so that we could care for these animals.
You didn't plan on becoming a rescue but as you kind of fell into it, are you doing what you set out to do?
No! Our goal was to care for the animals by following the Rabbit Welfare Association guidelines and ensuring that they have the minimum space requirements but the never-ending emergencies have eaten into the space that we created for the resident bunnies. This is an ongoing cycle. We have enough space for the resident bunnies, other animals arrive, they leave, we have more space and we rescue other animals, which means we have less space again.
Ironically, the first comment made by many people who visit is in reference to how much space the bunnies are given. They are always surprised to hear the spaces fall below the minimum size requirements.
Does Little Furries work with other organisations? If so, why and how?
We joined a fantastic UK wide rescue network last year who have helped us immensely, or more accurately, have helped us find alternative spaces for many of the bunnies that we took in. One Bun At a Time is run by a wonderful group of people whose main objective is to rescue as many ‘at risk’ bunnies as possible. We would not have been able to continue without the help of bigger rescues through the One Bun network.
Our location is notorious for unwanted bunnies. We are surrounded by four pet stores, all of which, sell small animals, which become a chore to manage, unwanted and are then cast out.
Managing this rescue is more than a full-time job. How do you manage? Do you have volunteers and are you looking for more?
It’s hard! It’s the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. There are no days off, no holidays, no Christmas. Our lives revolve around the animals 24/7.
The rescue is run from our home and every inch of the house is used for the animals. This is sometimes shocking for some people who visit but that’s how it is. Our capacity for rabbits is 30 however, we have been catering for (up to) 45 for the last 2 years. In addition, we have guinea pigs, parrots, cats and a never-ending supply of wildlife!
We have a dedicated volunteer who helps us 3 days a week and a couple of others who help on an ad hoc basis. Volunteers are a massive part of the running of the rescue and it would be almost impossible to continue without help. We are very grateful for this.
Do either of you work and manage the rescue in your spare time or do you now dedicate all of your time to Little Furries?
Nico works full time in order to fund the rescue. We are totally self-funded and the donations are minimal. With so many strays need neutering and vaccinations and considering that fact that many of the animals are elderly, disabled and sick, the cost of paying the vet bills is huge!
Cinzia gave up her job 3 years ago to run the rescue which means we’re much more reliant on people’s kindness and generosity to continue helping the many animals that come our way.
What activities are you and Nico involved with outside of Little Furries?
Wildlife rescue and bird rehabilitation was a big part of our work before we started the rabbit rescue. This continues but it has become much more difficult to manage because we don’t have enough space to hold the animals and our time is really stretched. I have tried to pullback from this but we struggle because there are just so many animals that need help.
If ever there is a quiet day, we love nature walks on conservation sites.
Can you describe a typical day at Little Furries?
There is no such thing as a typical day…. I wish there was lol.
Our day generally begins at 8am unless there is a vet appointment first thing.
We start with the basics:
Uncover and open the parrots who would have been awake hours by then
Feed the cats and open the cat flap
Uncover and open up the outside bunnies
Start preparing food which takes a good hour to wash and chop
Medicine administration to all the sick bunnies which takes another hour or so in the morning and in the evening too - currently 2 are on nebulisers twice a day, one has to be given an asthma pump 3 times a day, 3 need to be given injections every other day, there are multiple eye cleaning tasks and many are on various medications and one bunny is on heart meds. This is Nico’s remit
Then we begin daily chores such as sweeping up, topping up hay, changing any waters that may have got dirty overnight
We empty litter trays that need changing and shake or change the towels that are used in multiple places
While all this is going on, we need to try and answer the phone which doesn’t stop ringing for wildlife rescues, stray bunnies, surrenders, advice, etc
We generally finish our morning chores by 2 or 3pm at which point our external work begins such as food shopping, showing visitors around the rescue, home checks for adoptions, bunny pickups, vets, hutch disposals, wildlife rescue etc.
Sometimes we have major tasks to complete which we plan ahead and schedule in to ensure no visitors are coming that day.
Admittedly, it is difficult to fit in meals, washing, seeing friends and family and even showering! We always aim to start the night shift by 7pm but this rarely happens and we often get to bed around 2am or later. We are at our peak with the number of animals. We currently house. 45 rabbits, 8 Guinea Pigs, 3 cats, 2 parrots, and pigeons.
Is Little Furries owned by, or in partnership with, another company that tests on animals or sells non-vegan products?
No way!
Is Little Furries a vegan rescue?
We do not consume animals but I do have to purchase some animal products to rescue some of the animals that come into our care. We help all animals regardless of their diet.
What would people who are adopting or buying rabbits need to know so that they're going into it with their eyes open?
For first-time rabbit owners I always encourage them to read through these:
Rabbit fact file which has been created by the RSPCA
Are you sure you want a rabbit? by Rabbit Welfare
New to rabbits by Rabbit Welfare
Housing guidelines set by the RWAF:
Outdoor rabbit housing by Rabbit Welfare
This video by the RSPCA is useful https://youtu.be/amQ8-HSyWbQ
Creating the ideal home by PDSA
Tell me a bit about yourself before you created Little Furries.
Nico works in Technology, web hosting space.
Cinzia worked predominantly in the technology space assisting CxO level executives and more recently in the travel industry assisting the president of American Express GBT.
What is your vision for the future of Little Furries?
To have enough regular funds coming through to help us secure the future of the rescue and be able to save many more animals. When times are hard it is difficult to focus on anything further.
What can we do to help Little Furries Rabbit Rescue?
Here are some ways to help us:
Donate via PAYPAL using Little.FurriesRR@hotmail.com
Donate using the GoFund Me page
Help us by purchasing hay
This is our Amazon wish list
Shop online, which doesn’t cost the buyer but the retailers contribute to our cause
We are also grateful for donations of
towels
cardboard of any sort
boxes are used for insulation or flooring so they can be given to us as they are or made flatpack
newspapers
Apple or Pear tree branches
good quality vegetables
offcuts of linos or wood panels
Any skilled individuals who would like to donate their time are always welcome ❤️
For those of you are hot on reducing, reusing and recycling, the cardboard which we no longer need is taken by permaculture people and rest goes to the cardboard section of the Recycling Centre.
How to contact Cinzia and Nico
You can email them using Little.furriesrr@hotmail.com
You can call them using 07734 741506
You can send them a message on Instagram
You can message them on Facebook
After reading this, doesn’t your heart go out to Nico and Cinzia?
Do make some time to go and visit them and see the rescue. It’s truly amazing!