Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Rats and Birds

Wellington SPCA always has a good selection of rabbits needing loving new homes. We also usually have guinea pigs, rats and birds available for adoption. To adopt one of these small pets, please phone to make an appointment and to check we have the type of pet you are interested in available for adoption.

You will need a hutch or cage that meets our requirements before you can adopt a small animal. Our size requirements are:

Rabbits

Minimum hutch size is 2m x 800mm x 800mm. There must be a dry bed box area for the rabbit to shelter in during bad weather. The hutch must have doors that close securely.

Guinea pigs

Minimum hutch size is 2m x 800mm wide x 400mm high. There must be a dry bed box area and the hutch must have doors that close securely.

Rats

The minimum cage size for a rat is 1m x 600mm x 600mm. The cage must have levels and ladders for the rats to climb on and an enclosed bed area or hammock.

Birds

In most instances we require birds to be adopted to aviaries.

If you already have a hutch or cage, please phone us and an Animal Welfare Inspector will come out to your home to inspect it. Your hutch or cage will need to be an adequate size to contain and protect the pet you wish to adopt. You can also buy cages and hutches from our retail area at reasonable prices. If you purchase a cage or hutch from Wellington SPCA no cage inspection is required.

Once your hutch or cage has been approved you can come in and meet the animals we have available for adoption. When you come into the animal centre our animal caregiver will discuss with you the care the pet you are interested in needs and introduce you to the animals we have available.

Once you have picked the pet you would like to adopt you need to fill in an adoption application form. If the animal you choose is already desexed you can pay the adoption fee and take them home, otherwise there will be a short wait while the animal is desexed ready to go home with you.

Adoption Fees

Rabbits - $65 (this includes the cost of desexing, microchipping and vaccinating the rabbit and a carry box to take the rabbit home in).

Guinea pigs - $10 for females (undesexed) and $20 for males (desexed).

Rats - $10 for females (undesexed) and $20 for males (desexed).

Birds - $10.