Meet Our Bunny Stars: Oxo & Aquarius Hop Into the Spotlight

Did you know an estimated 67,000 bunnies in the UK need a home?

Rabbits are so often seen as a “starter” pet, yet with an average life span of 7 to 12 years, they are anything but basic. They’re intelligent, sociable animals, full of curiosity and personality, and sadly, many end up being abandoned when their needs are misunderstood.

That’s why we were absolutely delighted when Animed, the online pet retailer, chose to feature two of our beautiful rescue rabbits, Oxo and Aquarius, in their latest advertising campaign. Their aim is to encourage more people to adopt rather than buy a rabbit, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

“There’s over 60,000 rabbits in the UK looking for a home and we want to encourage people to give these lovable pets a second chance,” says vet Jess Simmonds from Animed. “With thousands of bunnies waiting for their forever home, Animed is delighted to use this opportunity to promote animal adoption.”

From our side, we couldn’t be prouder to see our bunnies hopping into the spotlight.
“We are thrilled Animed has chosen Oxo and Aquarius to be the stars of their new advertising campaign,” says our very own Holly Mansfield from Bristol Animal Rescue Centre. “This is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on adopting a rabbit and the joy of offering a pet a loving home.”

Alongside championing adoption, Animed has also been highlighting the importance of preparation and commitment when welcoming a new pet into your home – from food and toys to bedding, enrichment and healthcare. As a trusted one-stop pet care retailer, they offer everything new owners need to ensure their rabbit (or any pet!) thrives from day one.

Animed vet Jess’ Top 10 Tips for Preparing to Adopt a Pet

  1. Prepare a safe space where your new pet can retreat and feel secure as they adjust.

  2. Give them time to decompress. Rescue animals may feel overwhelmed at first.

  3. Stick to a routine with regular feeding times, enrichment, and bedtime to build trust.

  4. Limit visitors initially so they aren’t overwhelmed by too many new faces.

  5. Let them come to you. Avoid forcing interactions—trust grows when pets make the first move.

  6. Use positive reinforcement such as treats, praise or play to reward calm behaviour.

  7. Keep things calm with soft voices, slow movements and minimal loud noise.

  8. Introduce other pets gradually using scent swapping and supervised meetings.

  9. Visit the vet early for a health check and to discuss any questions or concerns.

  10. Be patient and compassionate. Every rescue pet has a unique history, and progress takes time—but love and consistency work wonders.

While Animed is not a formal partner of Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, we deeply appreciate their support. They’ve generously made a monetary donation, along with a box of rabbit food and accessories, to help other animals currently in our care.

We’re incredibly proud of Oxo and Aquarius for starring in this campaign, and even prouder of the message it helps share. If you’re thinking about adding a rabbit to your family, please consider adopting. You might be surprised just how much love (and personality!) is waiting for you.

And here is a first peek of star Aquarius on camera! Click here