Tucked away in Harwell, Oxfordshire, a small but mighty team of volunteers runs Paws & Claws Rabbit Centre, an RSPCA facility dedicated to giving rescue rabbits a fresh start. Since its founding in 2012, this centre has become a safe haven for bunnies rescued from neglect and cruelty, often arriving via RSPCA Inspectors. On average, 33 rabbits find loving homes each year, but before they do, they receive top-notch care from a group of devoted individuals who ensure they are healthy, happy, and ready for adoption.
A Much-Needed Transformation
In 2024, the centre underwent a much-needed refurbishment. The rabbit enclosures, last replaced in 2019, were showing their age, and it was time to upgrade. A grant of £12,280 was secured to replace the outdated hutches with new, spacious pens designed to give the rabbits more room to hop, climb, and explore.
The refurbishment wasn’t just a case of swapping out old for new. It was a major project that required clearing the area, removing vegetation, demolishing the old hutches, and laying solid foundations for the new pens. Volunteers stepped up to the challenge, but they weren’t alone.
A local company, Infineum, sent teams to help prepare the area, getting stuck into the hard work of digging, building, and painting to make the new enclosures weatherproof.
The work was demanding, but enthusiasm never wavered – especially with the occasional doughnut bribe to keep spirits high.
Now, Paws & Claws has eight large rabbit pens, each with indoor and outdoor sections, ramps for climbing, and plenty of space to run and play. Not only do the rabbits have a better quality of life, but the new setup also makes it easier for volunteers to clean the pens and spend more time interacting with the animals.
A Team Fueled by Dedication (and more doughnuts!)
Paws & Claws is entirely volunteer-run, overseen by the operations manager. Every day, volunteers arrive to feed, clean, and care for the rabbits, ensuring they get plenty of attention and affection. The team is committed to preparing each rabbit for adoption, making sure they receive veterinary care and are neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before they go to their new homes. To give adopters peace of mind, every rabbit also comes with four weeks of free pet insurance.
For the volunteers, the work is about more than just cleaning pens and filling food bowls. It’s about seeing the transformation in each rabbit, watching them regain confidence and curiosity, and ultimately, finding them the perfect home.
Thanks to the dedication of the team and the generosity of the local community, Paws & Claws continues to be a place where neglected rabbits get a second chance at a happy life.
