Sanctuary Rabbits
Occasionally we have rabbits come into the rescue who are not suitable for rehoming. This may be due to health or behavioural issues. These rabbits stay with us for life so we can be sure they are receiving the care and treatment they need. Please read their stories below....
Basil
Hi everyone, if you don't already know who I am, why? I have a generous following on Instagram!
I'm Basil, and I'm one of a kind.
I was found, when I was young, abandoned on Otley Chevin in August 2022. A lovely lady and her son called me Basil and brought me to Yorkshire Rabbit Retreat. When I arrived I had a large scar on my nose but was otherwise healthy.
Life at the rescue was very difficult for me. I was very territorial of my enclosure, and would spend all day running up and down the front of it to defend it. I had some good chomps at Leah and even gave a visitor a lovely knuckle scar. I was unpredictable and when I attacked someone I did not let go.
Due to my extreme behaviour, the rescue was at a bit of a loss with what to do, I needed someone with more time and patience. That's when I came to stay with Lauren and Oleg in November 2023.
With time, I began to feel more at ease around the humans. They worked out that I do not like sudden movements, leaning or things looming over my head. What I did like was grooming my monkey toy, escaping my enclosure in the night and cuddling on the bed.
It was becoming more apparent I needed a friend of my own kind which everyone hoped would help calm me but I had other ideas. The rescue decided to keep me as a sanctuary rabbit.
I was initially bonded with two of the humans’ own rabbits but only the sassy girl Callie could keep up with me. She gives the best grooms but will put me in my place if I'm too excitable.
Lauren and Oleg need to wear shoes and keep their skin covered when they're near me, and I've made some lovely alterations to their skin and accessories but this is becoming less frequent.
I've really landed on my paws after a rough start. I have a lovely wife, humans who now understand my quirks and give me space, but love and attention when I want it. I have access to lots of space and a garden which I love exploring in.
By sponsoring me, you help the rescue pay for my vaccinations and any vet treatment I might need so I can continue to live my best life.
Kazoo
Hello my name is Kazoo and I am 2.9 years old. I arrived at Yorkshire Rabbit retreat in September 2024. I was surrendered by my previous carer along with another boy bunny named Harpic who has since found his new home.
Unfortunately we were kept together with our 'plums' intact and when we reached maturity we had a fight which left me with a bite wound on my private area! This has left me with an abscess which has been drained multiple times but has returned each time.
Thankfully they tell me it isn't getting any bigger as otherwise I would need an operation which could be very sore and leave me with a worse outcome. The abscess means that very occasionally I urinate on myself and I require some extra help to keep clean.
Yorkshire Rabbit Retreat treated my injuries and also had me neutered so I could be adopted. I stayed at the rescue until June 2025.... I’ve since come to live with one of the YRR trustees, Natalie as a permanent sanctuary bun so that my extra needs can be attended to.
I now have two bonded friends who have both been adopted from YRR they are called Bronte and Blaine. We live in a large, insulated shed and have access to a covered run 24/7.
I’ve settled in very well, I’m still pretty shy, but having two confident friends is helpful to me. I love snuggling up with Bronte and Blaine and we take turns in grooming each other, and we all enjoy munching on hay, forage and pellets together. I especially love eating hay cookies and throwing them around inside the shed.
My favourite place to relax is the bottom part of a cat tree which is in our run. I also enjoy using Natalie as a climbing frame when she’s cleaning up after us. I’m very happy in my new home and I realise that I’m a very lucky boy.
I’m still in the care of Yorkshire Rabbit Retreat and the kind support they receive, goes towards paying for my veterinary bills, routine vaccinations and day to day care. I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has supported me so far, and those who will continue to support me.
By sponsoring me, you help the rescue pay for my vaccinations and any vet treatment I might need so I can continue to live my best life.
Applejack
Introducing Applejack – this little cutie was surrendered as a solo bun to us early in October 2025. We were told that he had no health issues but on arrival we realised he had an extremely mucky bum, very long nails and sadly has malocclusion too. He was very underweight and because his fur was so wet and matted, he had sore skin and hocks. The mucky bum we sorted in three days by feeding him the correct diet. The teeth and weight issues are an ongoing battle!
The dental issue needed to be sorted by removing his incisors but unfortunately his weight precluded him from having the lengthy anaesthetic he would need to do this and so he had his incisors trimmed and a couple of points removed from his molars. We also had x-rays taken to rule out anything sinister causing his weight loss.
With all of the above issues it was decided to give him an indoor foster space and to send off a sample for Coccidiosis; sadly, we had a positive result back though thankfully the parasitic infection was scant, so he was immediately booked in with the vet to be started on treatment.
He has also been treated for a UTI (urinary tract infection) which we’re not sure the course of antibiotics has fully cleared so he needs to have a urine sample tested to try and get to the bottom of what's going on, and is on regular pain relief as we believe he may have arthritis he is very unbalanced and weak on his back feet; he has fallen a few times whilst grooming.
He has continued to be ‘barrier nursed’ throughout this time to protect him against further infection and to protect the buns that our fosterer has adopted, bonded and is the carer for.
Unfortunately, due to him not being in a stable condition and still not at the correct weight we still cannot book him in for his incisors removing which would be the best option for him as he currently is having to regularly have them burred.
Due to his multiple and complex health issues he is now the latest addition to our sanctuary bunnies.
He really is the sweetest boy and for now he seems happy, we just want to do what we can for him and hopefully soon introduce him to a bunny friend or three once we have the all clear that he doesn't pose a risk to them.
In His Own Words - hello my name is Applejack and I was five years old on the 19th December 2025. I was handed over all alone to Yorkshire Rabbit retreat in October 2025.
Yorkshire Rabbit Retreat has looked after me and I’ve had lots of visits to the whitecoats; who are concerned about my inability to maintain my weight. I was being fostered at the home of one of the YRR trustees Sue in the hope I would be well enough to go to be adopted and have friends of my own. Now it has been decided I need a lot of care and so I have been made a permanent sanctuary bunny staying with Sue and her bunnies so that my health needs are taken care of.
Once I’m a little better, I am going to be bonded with Skadi, Pip and Henri but for now I’ve got my own safe space with a soft furry tunnel I can relax in. I enjoy falling asleep on Sue’s lap when she sits stroking my head when I’ve had my medicine each morning and night.
I’m still in the care of Yorkshire Rabbit Retreat who will continue to pay for my veterinary treatment and annual vaccinations. I’ve been told that people have kindly sent donations to help with my vet bills and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated so far, and those who will want to support me now and, in the future, too.
By sponsoring me, you help the rescue pay for my vaccinations and any vet treatment I might need so I can continue to live my best life.