4 days ago8 min read

10 Years of Nibbles: A Journey of Dedication, Challenges, and Hope

Standing at the Beginning: 2015

Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue was born out of necessity. During 2014, two rabbits turned into a staggering 125 within just 10 months. Standing on a vacant patch of land, it became painfully clear to me: there was no one to help these animals. If we didn’t step in, who would? That realisation shaped everything. We started with nothing—just determination, makeshift housing, and the kindness of supporters who believed in what we were trying to do. That belief made all the difference.

Overgrown and Rubbish-Strewn: The Land Before Nibbles — When we moved to the property in November 2013, we discovered the entire area was buried under mountains of rubbish and junk. During our viewing in August, the overgrowth was so dense we couldn’t even access what is now Nibbles, hiding the scale of the work ahead.

We cleared the land, raised funds for our first hutch and run combos, and slowly built a space where animals could find safety. By the end of the year, we had taken in rabbits from a breeder shutting down—17 Rex rabbits who would have otherwise been used to train hunting dogs. We offered them a future, not fear.

2015: Our first rabbit housing takes shape, providing a safe haven for rabbits like this beautiful rex. — 2015: Building a Future for Nibbles – Early rabbit housing at the rescue, built with dedication despite limited resources, alongside one of the beautiful Rex rabbits we took in that year. Each step forward brought us closer to providing the safe, loving environment every rabbit deserves.

Growing Stronger: 2016

In 2016, Nibbles became a registered charity, thanks to a grant from the Lush Charity Pot. That funding didn’t just formalise our mission; it gave us the resources to build our rodent cabin, a safe space for guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small animals. Becoming a charity was daunting—we had no idea what we were doing—but we figured it out, step by step.

The Year of Resilience: 2017

This was the year we realised just how vital Nibbles was. A call came in about 22 rabbits crammed into tiny 4ft hutches, baking under the summer sun. They were fighting, injured, and barely surviving. We were the only rescue to respond. Those rabbits came to us in desperate need, and we gave them the love and care they deserved.

2017: Welcoming 22 rescued rabbits and building new housing to give them a brighter future. — In 2017, we began building new housing to replace the old units, which were falling apart and unsuitable for the Welsh climate. Our goal was to provide the rabbits with more space and a sturdier, safer environment. This project, inspired by the arrival of 22 rescued rabbits, marked a major step forward in improving their quality of life. The new housing was completed in 2018, offering a fresh start for both the rescue and the rabbits in our care.

But it wasn’t all victories. A storm tore through our newly upgraded housing, leaving destruction in its wake. It was devastating—but our supporters rallied, funding a three-block kennel unit to replace what was lost. That’s what kept us going: knowing we weren’t alone in this fight.

2017: Temporary housing upgrades and the arrival of our new kennel block, thanks to generous donations. — In 2017, we upgraded the top row of housing for temporary use, only to see it destroyed by a storm in a single day—a stark reminder of the challenges we faced. Generous donations allowed us to purchase a much-needed kennel block, providing a sturdier and more reliable solution. Alongside these efforts, Shirley, ever supportive, pitched in by painting an old hutch, highlighting the team spirit that keeps Nibbles moving forward.

Building Foundations: 2018–2019

By 2018, we were laying the groundwork for the future. The six new housing units were finally completed, and a new kennel block now had paving at the front to prevent the mud swamp from 2017 returning. Volunteers like Evelyn joined us, providing invaluable support—she’s still with us today, cleaning out rabbits every Wednesday without fail.

2018: Building a brighter future with new, spacious housing for our rabbits. — In 2018, with incredible teamwork from Johnny and myself, we worked tirelessly to finish constructing new housing designed to provide rabbits with the space and comfort they deserve. Thanks to this effort, we completed sturdy, weatherproof units that marked a significant step forward in our mission to raise welfare standards

2019 was one of our darkest years. With only £77 in the bank and one bag of rabbit food left, it felt like the end. But a heartfelt plea to our supporters turned things around. Volunteers Margaret and Abi joined, bringing new energy and skills. Slowly but surely, we started to recover.

Finding Hope in Hardship: 2020

When COVID-19 hit, we feared the worst. But instead, it became one of our most successful years. Long-term guests found forever homes, and we renovated the caravan into a functional space with hot water and a toilet—essential for welcoming volunteers back. It was exhausting, with 16-hour days and endless challenges, but we persevered because the animals needed us.

2020: Renovating the mobile home to provide essential facilities during COVID-19. — In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected challenges. With Shirley needing to self-isolate, we renovated the old mobile home to provide hot water and a working toilet, ensuring volunteers had essential facilities without accessing the house. From a dilapidated interior to a functional, welcoming space, this project was a vital step in adapting to the crisis and supporting our rescue work.

Expanding Horizons: 2021–2022

2021 brought new opportunities and challenges. We rescued over 30 mice living in a mixed-sex group in a storage box, many pregnant or injured. Jessica joined as an apprentice, helping ease the workload while completing her NVQ and Abi took on the role of Assistant Manager to provide regular and reliable support.

2021: Rescuing injured and unwell mice during COVID-19 — In early 2021, as COVID-19 restrictions neared their end, we undertook a 6-hour round trip to rescue a group of mice in desperate need—no other rescue was able to step in. The group included mice with injuries, such as a tails damaged from fighting, and many litters of newborns. All were suffering from respiratory infections and required a course of antibiotics. Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we remained committed to saving these tiny lives.

Work also began on preparing the last remaining area of land available to Nibbles for additional rabbit housing. This ambitious project involved laying over 400 paving slabs—a physically demanding task that required incredible effort and determination. The new space marked the continuation of work started in 2017, fulfilling our commitment to providing secure, high-quality housing for more rabbits in need.

2021: Laying over 400 slabs to create space for new rabbit housing. — In 2021, we tackled the hard work of laying more than 400 paving slabs to prepare the land for additional rabbit housing. The completed area marked the transformation of the remaining space into a secure and practical foundation for the future of our rescue.

By 2022, we were growing again. With grant support and a dedicated welfare team, we built eight new enclosures, increasing our rabbit housing capacity from 15 to 23 units. We ended the year on a high, with every pen full and our rodent cabin bustling.

2022: Completing Nibbles with spacious, purpose-built housing for our guests — 2022 marked a milestone as we completed the final builds, transforming Nibbles into a fully realised rescue centre. These new pens provided ample space for our guests, reflecting the years of hard work and dedication that began with a dream. Standing back to see what we’d achieved—from humble beginnings to an amazing centre—was a moment of immense pride and gratitude.

The Collapse: 2023–2024

Then everything fell apart. Donations and grants dwindled in 2023, forcing us to make heartbreaking decisions. Six rabbit units were closed as we struggled with reduced staff, including the loss of a part-time team member, and the drastic rise in day-to-day running costs, which left us unable to manage the centre at full capacity. We also had to make the incredibly difficult decision to close the rodent cabin in June.

The rodent cabin closure was due to two key factors. Firstly, the loss of staff meant we had to reduce the number of animals in our care to ensure those remaining received the attention and care they needed. Secondly, the cabin, installed in 2015, was showing serious signs of wear and tear, becoming unsafe for use. Without the necessary funds to carry out essential repairs and improvements, we had no choice but to shut it down. This meant we could no longer offer rescue support for unwanted rodents—a devastating blow to our mission and a decision we made purely on welfare grounds as a direct result of our funding crisis.

Throughout the rest 2023, we turned away an average of two animals every day, knowing we couldn’t provide the care they required. Abi also reduced her hours, and with no clear path forward, morale hit rock bottom. These closures marked one of the most challenging periods in Nibbles’ history, as we faced the harsh reality of limited resources and the impact on the animals we aim to protect.

2023: Heartbreaking closures of the rodent cabin and rabbit pens due to dwindling resources — In 2023, we faced the difficult decision to close our rodent cabin and several rabbit pens. The rodent cabin, once a hub of care, became unsafe due to wear and tear, while the empty rabbit pens, overgrown with weeds, symbolised the impact of reduced staffing and funding, along with the significant rise in running costs. These closures marked a challenging and emotional chapter for Nibbles.

2024 was no better. Constant rain turned the centre into a swamp, and we faced even more devastating challenges. In April, a massive increase in veterinary fees made it impossible to cover the costs of neutering and vaccinations for new arrivals, forcing us to close three more rabbit units. With funding continuing to dwindle, we ended the year with just enough resources to limp into 2025.

2024: Months of rain and worsening funding delays vital sanctuary housing plans — In 2024, months of relentless rain turned Nibbles into a swamp, adding to the challenges we faced as our funding situation continued to deteriorate. The empty paving slabs, intended for a new unit to provide high-welfare forever homes for our sanctuary rabbits, remained a stark reminder of the vital work delayed due to a lack of resources. Despite the setbacks, we've persevered through the year praying for a miracle to save our centre.

However, the reality is stark: after 10 years of Nibbles we simply cannot continue to operate beyond December 2025. Grant funding to cover our running costs has completely dried up, and we are currently operating at a loss of over £2,000 every single month, even at our significantly reduced capacity. This financial strain has left us unable to save for staff salaries during 2025, meaning we cannot provide the stability of a 12-month contract for 2026. Without dedicated staff, Nibbles cannot continue—there will be no one onsite to care for the animals every single day of the week. The hard truth is that without immediate and substantial support, Nibbles will be forced to close its doors for good.

Imagining the Future

Despite everything, I refuse to give up. During 2024, we gave serious consideration to closing our doors, but it became painfully clear just how vital Nibbles is. Throughout the year, we were forced to turn away animals every two days—animals who desperately needed our help but whom we simply couldn’t accommodate due to lack of resources.

With just enough funding to see us through 2025, we knew we had to give it one last shot to save this rescue. I’ve seen firsthand the incredible difference Nibbles can make, and I know we can achieve so much more—with your help. This is our last chance to fight for the future of Nibbles, to keep providing the care and support these animals deserve, and to continue being the lifeline they so desperately need.

Imagine reopening all our closed housing, welcoming rabbits and rodents back into safety. Picture new pens for sanctuary rabbits, built to provide the comfort and enrichment they deserve. Visualise the rodent cabin restored, once again full of life and hope.

Beyond facilities, we dream of being a voice for these animals. Through social media, podcasts, and advocacy, we want to shift public perceptions and promote better welfare standards. One day, we hope to grow into a national organisation, championing these little lives across the UK.

You Can Make This Happen

Every person reading this has the power to change our future. Imagine where rabbits like Elliott would be without Nibbles. He’s a friendly, energetic Dutch rabbit who’s been with us for over two years, waiting for a forever home. Your support ensures that rabbits like him have the care they need and the chance they deserve.

By pledging just £2 a month, you can help us continue our work into 2026 and beyond. Sponsor a rabbit or a hutch to provide warm beds and all-you-can-eat hay buffets. Share this blog with your friends and family, and engage with our posts to help spread the word.

Help Us Save Nibbles Today

This isn’t just about saving a rescue. It’s about saving lives and creating a future where rabbits and rodents are valued, cared for, and loved. Together, we can make 2025 not the end of Nibbles, but the beginning of something extraordinary.

Make a pledge now and be part of the change. Every pound, every share, every moment of your time matters.