Adoption
We have lots of lovely bunnies and guinea pigs looking for new homes. All of our animals deserve a second chance and a family to call their own. Our rabbits are health checked, neutered and vaccinated before they leave us and we offer life-long support should you need it. If you have space in your home for a couple of extra residents, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We have bunnies and guinea pigs of all shapes and sizes so hopefully have the right match for your family!
Pet Services
To help fund the rescue, we offer boarding for small animals (e.g. rabbits and guinea pigs) while you go on holiday. All animals are kept in minimum 6ft hutches overnight with access to runs on grass in a secure paddock during the day. We also offer various dog walking and pet sitting services. We can easily adapt our care to suit your pet's needs and are happy to give medication, etc. Our boarding spaces fill up fast - particularly in school holidays - so please get in touch soon! Please visit www.furlockholmes-services.co.uk to find out more about our second business and how it fundraises for the rescue.
Animal Visits
We take our specially-trained team of rabbits and guinea pigs (and occasionally ponies, ferrets, bantam chickens, snails and more) into nursing homes, schools and other residential/day care places. During an animal visit session, participants are able to have a small animal on their lap for handling. They are encouraged to interact with the animal and groom/feed/talk to the animal and we find this is incredibly beneficial for all participants. As well as this, we offer educational visits to schools and groups.
We are looking for homes...
Coming up...
About Us
Based in Whitchurch, Hampshire, Furlock Holmes (registered charity number 1179572) is one of the largest rabbit and small animal rescue centres in the county. With the dedication of volunteers and the support of people in the area, our work is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming domestic animals and we strive to inspire and educate others to improve the lives of animals worldwide. We are run by a board of trustees as well as a team of volunteers who are all dedicated to our animal welfare ethos. We aim to make immediate and lasting changes to animals in need and work with local vets and organisations to do so. Join us in our fight by learning more about our mission and supporting our cause.
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Specialising in rabbits and guinea pigs, Furlock Holmes takes in approximately 150-200 unwanted, abandoned, neglected and mistreated animals every year with the aim of rehabilitating and rehoming each one. However, many of the animals coming in through the doors are suffering from health or behaviour problems and so any animals requiring ongoing treatment or needing specialist care remain at the rescue as sanctuary residents. When we have space, we also offer fostering services to care for animals if their owners need temporary relief. This could be because they have to go to hospital for a while or because they are suffering from a sudden change in personal circumstances.
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Furlock Holmes believes in a world where the lives of animals are respected and where they are free from cruelty and suffering. We aim to bring people together in order to create the important changes needed to protect animals. We fight animal cruelty and protect animal rights through our advocacy, education and rescue efforts. We are a group of like-minded people trying to promote respect and correct care of all animals. By volunteering your time, donating or supporting the work we do, there are so many ways in which you can get involved. We are inspired by the support and commitment of our community members who share in the belief of animal welfare.
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At the rescue centre's base in Whitchurch, we normally house between 30 and 50 rabbits, 10 and 30 guinea pigs and various small rodents. Our facilities include a large barn in which the majority of the animals are housed overnight in their own hutches, a separate quarantine area, a heated exotics room and a large, enclosed paddock where the animals can safely exercise during the day. We are very strict about following the guidelines set by the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund as well as the RSPCA. We are lucky enough to be set in a secluded spot of about 2 acres on the outskirts of a small town, meaning it is nice and quiet for the animals - they also get a fantastic view across the fields from their enclosures!
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Being a self-funded charity, we rely solely on donations and fundraising to keep the rescue going. All staff at Furlock Holmes are volunteers who give up their time to care for the animals. We do not receive any funding from the government or council and many of the expenses come out of our own pockets. Due to the nature of working with animals, our job is 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are, however, incredibly lucky to have such an amazing team of volunteers who help with the day-to-day running of Furlock Holmes.
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