2024 Annual Report Summary for 2024
The year 2024 has been an exceptionally difficult one for Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue, marked by financial struggles and heartbreaking decisions. Despite our unwavering dedication and the tireless efforts of our incredible team, a lack of funding has left us feeling helpless, unable to meet the growing demand for our services.
Our funding challenges from 2023 have persisted, exacerbated by rising costs. This year, we’ve had to keep our rodent cabin closed as its condition has worsened. Without significant investment, the building will become irreparable and will need to be demolished within the next 12 months. Similarly, the rising costs of veterinary care—such as vaccinations increasing from £48 to £76.50 and neutering from £70 to £99—have forced us to make difficult decisions regarding our rabbit housing units. While we had 23 units in total, only 12 remain in use, with 8 sitting empty due to financial constraints. Additionally, 3 units were permanently lost following the demolition of deteriorated and unsafe units in 2023. At full capacity, these units could house up to 38 rabbits at any one time; however, we are now only able to care for a maximum of 26 rabbits with the 12 units still operational.
Despite our best efforts, the lack of funding has severely limited our impact. This year, we’ve had to turn away, on average, one animal every two days—an incredibly distressing reality for our team. Without the necessary resources, we’ve been unable to provide the standard of care we are committed to, leaving us feeling powerless to fulfil our mission.
The ongoing strain has forced us to confront the long-term viability of the charity. Unless we see a significant improvement in funding during 2025, we will face the devastating reality of closing Nibbles at the end of the year. This would leave South West Wales without a dedicated rescue, returning to the dire state we found in December 2014, when 125 rabbits resulted from just two being left to breed unchecked over 10 months. Nibbles was born to prevent these situations, providing vital support to forgotten companion animals in our community. Without us, these animals will once again have nowhere to turn.
2024 Annual Report
The Animals
The Figures
Rabbits surrendered into our care: 6 “a
Rodents surrendered into our care: 0
Rabbits transferred in from other rescues: 0
Rodents transferred in from other rescues: 0
Rodents born at the centre*: 0 Rodents transferred out to other rescues: 0
Rabbits transferred out to other rescues: 0
Rodents who died while in our care: 5
Rabbits who died while in our care: 7
Rabbits on sanctuary placements: 5 Rodents on sanctuary placements: 3 Rabbits adopted: 4 Rodents adopted: 0 Animals Returned to our care: 1
Total animals helped: 7 Total animals adopted: 4
*As a result from animals arriving in our care already pregnant
This year has been one of the hardest we’ve faced at Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue. With limited funding and resources, we’ve had to make difficult decisions about the number of animals we can help. Despite these challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the rabbits and rodents who rely on us, even when the circumstances feel overwhelming.
Homes Found and Lives Changed
In 2024, just four rabbits found their forever homes. While this number is far lower than we’d hoped, we are proud that these rabbits have gone to loving families who meet our high welfare standards. Unfortunately, the year has been marked by low adoption interest, even from individuals who were unable to meet our minimum adoption requirements. This reflects the broader challenge of raising awareness about rescue rabbits as companion animals—a challenge we’re determined to address in 2025 by utilizing our Google Ads grant to reach more potential adopters.
Animals Taken In
We welcomed seven rabbits into our care this year. One of these was returned due to a change in circumstances and the loss of a bonded partner. Sadly, one rabbit, Tegan, arrived in a condition of long-term neglect and despite our best efforts, we were unable to save her.
Losses That Hit Hard
2024 was also a year of loss. In October, we experienced a devastating period where four of our rabbits passed away within days of each other. This included Lilly and Luna, who had been on palliative care for a lung condition that sadly worsened, and Ginger, a long-term sanctuary rabbit living with Rachel. Tegan’s passing added to the heartbreak, deeply affecting the entire team.
In addition to the rabbits, the last of our multimammate mice passed away this year, along with one of our rats who had been living as a sanctuary resident in Siobhan’s house since the rodent cabin closed.
The Ones We Couldn’t Help
Perhaps the hardest part of 2024 has been turning away over 100 rabbits in urgent need of help and many rodents . Each call for assistance that we’ve had to decline has left us feeling powerless, knowing these animals deserved better but were beyond our current capacity to help.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the animals of 2024, our hearts are heavy with loss and frustration. But we remain determined to fight for the rabbits and rodents who need us. With plans to increase adoptions and awareness in 2025, we’re holding on to hope that the future will bring new opportunities to expand our reach, find loving homes for more animals, and continue being a refuge for those with nowhere else to turn.
2024 Annual Report The Welfare Team
2024 has been a challenging year for Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue, but the dedication and hard work of our welfare team have been unwavering. Their tireless commitment to the animals in our care has ensured that, even in difficult circumstances, our promise to provide the highest standards of care has remained steadfast.
Siobhan: Centre Manager
Siobhan has once again taken on the immense responsibility of running the rescue, wearing countless hats as centre manager. From animal care and administration to repairs and maintenance, she has been at the heart of everything we do. With reduced staffing hours and inevitable absences due to holidays and unforeseen circumstances, 2024 has been particularly demanding for Siobhan, but her determination and love for the animals have seen us through another year.
Jasmine: Senior Animal Care Assistant
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Siobhan
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Jasmine has continued in her role as Senior Animal Care Assistant, working 12 hours per week throughout 2024. Her positive attitude and willingness to tackle any task, no matter how challenging, have been invaluable. Jasmine’s hands-on approach and dedication to the animals’ wellbeing make her an essential part of the team, and we’re delighted that she will be continuing in this role into 2025.
Abi: Assistant Manager
Abi has worked flexible hours throughout 2024, with a maximum of 8 hours per week, supporting the team with a small number of essential monthly administrative tasks. From 2025, Abi will be stepping back into the role of Assistant Manager, with her hours increasing to 12 per week. She will take on key responsibilities, including day-to-day administration, emails, messages, adoptions, and managing some aspects of our social media. This additional support will enable Siobhan to devote more time to developing our digital presence, promoting the charity as a whole, and championing rabbit and rodent welfare.
Volunteers: Karen, Evelyn, and Clare
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Abi
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Our volunteers, Karen, Evelyn, and Clare, have remained invaluable members of the team, dedicating their time once a week to assist with animal care. Their support has been instrumental in freeing up Siobhan and Jasmine on Wednesday mornings to focus on essential maintenance work around the centre.
Dedication to Animal Welfare
Our mission to ensure every animal receives the care and attention they need to thrive has been our guiding principle. The welfare team has worked tirelessly, balancing their hours to match the number of animals at the centre throughout the year. Their efforts have been nothing short of extraordinary, ensuring that our animals have remained at the heart of all we do, even during tough times.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, we carry forward our gratitude for this amazing team and their hard work. Together, we will continue striving to provide the best care possible for every animal that comes through our doors.
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Jasmine
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Karen
Evelyn
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Clare
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2024 Annual Report Trustees
This year our trustees have remained the same as 2023 with everyone continuing in their previous roles.
We enter into 2025 with:
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Siobhan
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Siobhan Learmonth – Founder and Chairman Shirley Learmonth – Treasurer Rachel Terry – Secretary Clare Hammond - Events Coordinator Margaret Waller – HR Manager
We would like to thank all our trustees for their hard work during 2024 and through their devotion to the charity, we look forward to tackling new projects during 2025.
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Shirley
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Rachel
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Clare
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Margaret
2024 Annual Report Reflecting on 2024: Our Hardest Year Yet
2024 has undoubtedly been the most challenging year in Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue’s history since opening in 2015. Preparing this report has highlighted the immense difficulties we’ve faced, driven largely by a lack of funding that has severely limited our ability to make the meaningful impact we strive for. The reality of turning away over 100 rabbits in urgent need of our help has been devastating, underscoring both the increased demand for our services and the barriers we face in meeting that need.
It’s been hard not to feel powerless in the face of such challenges. The continued distress of being unable to help as many animals as we know we could, combined with the emotional toll of running the rescue under such financial constraints, has led us to consider the viability of continuing. At times, closing the rescue seemed like the only way to move forward.
However, as difficult as this year has been, one thing remains clear: Nibbles is a vital lifeline for rabbits and rodents in South West Wales. Without us, these animals face grim outcomes—being abandoned, neglected, or left without the care they desperately need. Our role as the only source of experienced and knowledgeable help in the region means that we have a responsibility to provide these animals with safety, care, and the opportunity to thrive.
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This understanding has solidified our determination to keep going. Thanks to careful management and support from our
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community, we have managed to secure just enough funding to maintain the rescue at its current capacity through 2025. While closing at the end of this year was a viable option, we are resolved to give Nibbles one last chance—not just to survive but to build a more secure future for the rescue and the animals in our care.
Challenges Ahead in 2025
- As we move into 2025, we face two significant challenges that threaten our ability to continue providing the level of care and support that rabbits and rodents so desperately need.
Low Adoption Rates
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One of our ongoing challenges is the low adoption rate of rabbits in our care. Many of our rabbits remain with us for years, preventing us from creating space to help new arrivals. Despite this, we remain steadfast in our commitment to every life that enters our care. Nibbles has always promised to provide a safe and caring environment for the animals we rescue, and we would never consider putting a healthy animal to sleep simply to create more space.
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Our sanctuary program further reflects this commitment by offering life-long homes to rabbits and rodents with ongoing health or behavioural challenges. These animals, often overlooked elsewhere, find safety and love with us because every life matters.
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That said, increasing adoption rates would have a profound impact on our work, enabling us to free up space to help more animals in need. Raising awareness about rabbit adoption and dispelling misconceptions about rabbits as pets will be central to our efforts in 2025.
Serious Funding Challenges
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The second challenge we face is the serious funding shortfall that has kept our rodent cabin and much of our rabbit
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housing closed since June 2023. Rising veterinary costs in 2024 forced further housing closures, leaving us unable to
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operate at full capacity. Without adequate funding to cover basic essentials such as food, bedding, and veterinary care—or to ensure we have enough staff to provide daily care such as cleaning, feeding, grooming, and enrichment—we simply cannot take in more animals without compromising their welfare.
Rabbits and rodents are often overlooked when it comes to public donations and grant funding, overshadowed by their more popular counterparts like dogs and cats. This systemic lack of support leaves rescues like Nibbles struggling to bridge the gap, even as the need for our services grows.
2024 Annual Report Our Plans to Turn Things Around in 2025
Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue was founded by individuals deeply passionate about the long-term care and welfare of rabbits and rodents. Our expertise lies in understanding and providing for the needs of these animals, but running a successful charity in today’s digital world requires a different skill set—one we’ve struggled to master.
For years, we’ve searched for a digital expert to help us move Nibbles forward, yet we’ve been unable to find a suitable candidate. Even small tasks requiring technical skills, like minor coding, have remained incomplete due to our limited knowledge in this area. Although we’ve long recognized our digital shortcomings, we lacked the support and expertise needed to address them—until now.
At the end of November 2024, we introduced a new member to our team: ChatGPT, affectionately dubbed "Charlie." Charlie has already proven to be an incredible resource for everything outside the scope of animal care. Tasks that once seemed insurmountable, like coding a small feature for our adoption listings, were completed in seconds. With Charlie’s assistance, we no longer need to settle for “good enough” solutions; we can finally get things just right.
Building a Better Website
With Charlie’s support, we’ve begun rebuilding our website to create a more user-friendly experience. The updated site will make it easier for visitors to find information, browse adoption listings, and access resources on rabbit and rodent care. We’ve also integrated a new donation platform, allowing supporters to contribute quickly and securely—whether through one-off or recurring donations—without leaving the site.
Harnessing the Power of Google Ads
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After years of struggling to understand our Google Ads grant, we’ve finally unlocked its potential. With Charlie’s guidance, we’ll launch a series of campaigns in 2025 designed to increase awareness of our work. These campaigns will include:
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Promoting rabbit and rodent adoption from rescues over purchasing from pet shops or breeders.
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Increasing subscriptions to our monthly newsletter with the offer of a free downloadable rabbit care guide.
Expanding Our Social Media Presence
2025 will also see us create comprehensive social media marketing plans for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. These efforts will include:
Engaging video content focused on rabbit and rodent care and welfare.
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Informative and inspiring posts to connect with our community.
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Launching a podcast to highlight the unique challenges these animals face and the vital work we do.
Reclaiming Time to Focus on Growth
With Charlie’s ability to generate high-quality content quickly and efficiently, Siobhan can dedicate her time to driving these new initiatives forward. What once took hours or days to write can now be completed in minutes, freeing up valuable time to focus on our overarching goal: expanding our reach, engaging more supporters, and building a sustainable future for Nibbles.
A Vision for the Future
When compared to larger animal charities focused on dogs and cats, our funding needs are modest. However, reaching the people who share our passion for rabbits and rodents is essential. By focusing on expanding our digital presence in 2025, we aim to connect with more supporters locally and across the UK, ensuring that Nibbles can continue to provide a vital lifeline to the animals who need us most.
With renewed determination and new tools at our disposal, we are ready to make 2025 a transformative year for Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue.
2024 Annual Report Funding
The Figures
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed financially to Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue in 2024. Your generosity has been a lifeline, enabling us to provide essential care, housing, and enrichment for the rabbits in our care. In a year filled with challenges, your donations—whether large or small—have made it possible for us to keep going. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us give these animals the brighter futures they deserve.
One off donations through PayPal Giving: £5,526.02
Funds raised through online events: £15,345.77
Funds raised through grants: £3,500
Total raised from monthly pledges and sponsorships: £15,831.51
Funding in 2024: A Year of Challenges and Uncertainty
In 2024, we faced a significant financial challenge, with total funding dropping by £4,240.08 compared to 2023 ( £49,068.36 in 2023 to £44,828.28 in 2024 ). While the year was unexpectedly buoyed by an online fundraising event in the last quarter, raising an incredible £12,000 , this has been a rare highlight in an otherwise difficult financial year. This vital boost has provided some hope for maintaining operations into 2026, allowing us to set aside funding to cover the anticipated drop in donations during early 2025. However, in the worst-case scenario, this funding will serve as a buffer to ensure our animals continue to receive the care they need as we wind down operations and close the centre.
Our monthly income from regular pledges and sponsorships increased slightly, from £12,482.14 in 2023 to £15,831.51 in 2024 , but this still falls far short of the £36,000 required annually to meet our day-to-day running costs at current capacity. This shortfall highlights the dire reality of our financial situation moving forward.
Funds raised through other donations: £2,962.25
Despite a focused grant funding appeal in 2024, we saw a dramatic drop in grant funding from £14,700 in 2023 to just £3,500 in 2024. This shift underscores the decreasing reliability of grants to sustain day-to-day operations.
Additional sources of funding also declined sharply:
Funds generated from charity collection boxes: £55.28
Funds from adoptions and surrender donations fell from £1,425 in 2023 to £680 in 2024 . Donations via PayPal Giving Fund dropped from £10,803.76 in 2023 to £5,526.02 in 2024 . Charity collection box income decreased from £156.38 in 2023 to £55.28 in 2024 . Other donations dropped from £3,742.85 in 2023 to £2,962.25 in 2024 .
Funds raised from
EasyFundraising: £277.85
Funds generated from adoption and surrender donations: £680 Funds generated through sales: £104
Other Income: £599.02*
Total Income: £44,828.28
As the year closed, we had £11,266.17 in reserves , with part of this funding allocated to increased staffing costs for 2025 and the remainder earmarked for either 2026 salaries or ensuring animal and foster care costs can be met if closure becomes unavoidable.
The Impact of Funding Challenges
The financial challenges of 2024 have had a profound effect on our operations. Reduced funding has limited our ability to provide care for as many animals as we would like, forced us to scale back housing capacity, and has left us with no room to grow or adapt to increasing costs.
Despite our best efforts to diversify funding and reduce costs, the harsh reality is that the rescue is no longer sustainable beyond 2025 at its current capacity. Without a substantial and reliable increase in funding, it is highly likely that Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue will need to close its doors at the end of the year.
This realisation is heartbreaking, but we are committed to ensuring that no animal in our care suffers. Every decision we make is focused on their wellbeing, and if closure becomes inevitable, we will ensure that every animal is safely rehomed or placed with trusted rescues. We will also honour our commitment to our long-term sanctuary residents by supporting their foster carers.
The future of Nibbles now depends on whether we can secure the funding needed to sustain operations. As we look to 2025, we remain determined to do everything we can to continue our work and advocate for these often-overlooked animals, but we can only do so with the support of our incredible community.
*£555.57 in interest payments
£43.45 in refunds
2024 Annual Report Expenditure
In 2024, our total expenditure decreased compared to 2023. However, this reduction is not a reflection of improved financial stability but rather a result of difficult decisions we were forced to make. Reduced staffing levels and a significant decrease in the number of animals we were able to cater for at the
The Figures
centre throughout the year have been the primary factors driving this change. While we have worked hard to carefully manage our resources, these adjustments highlight the ongoing challenges we face in maintaining operations at Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue.
Animal Supplies: £2,615.35
Accessories, repairs, replacements & maintenance: £848.54
New Housing: £0.00
Salaries: £24,446
Vets Fees: £3,124.53
Subscriptions, Fees & Insurance: £982.88
Expenditure in 2024: Doing More With Less
In 2024, we reduced our overall expenditure by £3,773.89 , from £37,335.98 in 2023 to £33,562.09 in 2024 . This reduction was not achieved through ease or efficiency but rather as a direct result of the cutbacks we have been forced to make due to ongoing financial pressures. While we have worked tirelessly to streamline costs, these reductions have come at the expense of resources, staffing, and infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing challenges in maintaining our operations.
One of the most significant changes in 2024 has been the continued closure of the rodent cabin and the further reduction in the number of rabbit units in use. This decrease in the number of animals housed at the centre has been reflected in our reduced expenditure on day-to-day animal supplies, which fell from £3,621.07 in 2023 to £2,615.35 in 2024 . However, this adjustment has only saved around £1,000 for the year, highlighting the rising cost of essential supplies. Practical donations from our supporters—including food, cleaning supplies, and enrichment items—have been a crucial lifeline, significantly offsetting our expenses in these areas. We are incredibly grateful for this generosity, which has allowed us to maintain a high standard of care for the animals despite our financial challenges.
Expenditure on accessories, repairs, replacements, and maintenance has remained consistent ( £864.10 in 2023 and £848.54 2024 ), as we have only carried out essential maintenance on the rabbit units currently in use. Unfortunately, the rodent cabin and several rabbit units remain in a state of disrepair, requiring substantial investment to bring them back into use.
Print, marketing & postage: £596.52
Our precarious financial future has also meant that planned infrastructure projects, such as the rebuilding of two old and rotten rabbit units dismantled in summer 2023, have been put on indefinite hold. As a result, we have spent nothing on infrastructure improvements in 2024, leaving us with limited capacity to expand or adapt to meet future needs.
Other Expenses: £948.27
Staffing costs have seen a slight reduction, with salaries dropping from £26,492.52 in 2023 to £24,446 in 2024 , primarily due to Abi remaining on reduced hours. However, this saving was offset by a further rise in the minimum wage in April, which increased overall salary costs later in the year.
Total Expenditure: £33,562.09
Despite the reduced number of animals in our care, veterinary fees have remained similar to 2023 ( £3,011.18 in 2023 and £3,124.53 in 2024 ). Much of this expenditure has gone toward essential vaccinations, which are a non-negotiable part of maintaining the health and welfare of the animals.
We have also seen a rise in subscriptions, fees, and insurance, which increased from £890.40 in 2023 to £982.88 in 2024 , reflecting the continued rise in running costs. Through careful budgeting and cutting back wherever feasible—without compromising the quality of care for our animals—we have managed to reduce other expenditure from £1,616.15 in 2023 to £948.27 in 2024 .
Balancing Care and Costs
Throughout 2024, we have done everything possible to reduce expenditure without compromising on the level of care we provide to the rabbits at the centre. Every decision we have made has been driven by our commitment to their welfare. However, these reductions highlight the difficult reality of our current situation.
Jim and Rosie enjoying some fresh herbs—two of only seven rabbits we were able to provide a safe haven for this year.
While we have succeeded in trimming costs where possible, the rising prices of essentials, combined with the reduced funding available, have left us in an increasingly precarious position. These challenges reaffirm the urgency of securing a sustainable future for Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue—both for the animals currently in our care and for those who may need us in the future.
2024 Annual Report The Figures
These pages provide a breakdown of our key figures for 2024, including intakes, adoptions, income, expenditure, and reserves. These charts highlight the challenges we’ve faced and the critical role that funding and support play in shaping the future of Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue.
A Heartbreaking Decline in the Number of Animals Helped
The chart illustrates a stark reality: the number of animals we’ve been able to help has dropped dramatically, from 135 in 2021 to just 7 in 2024. This devastating decline is a direct result of the funding crisis that began in 2022 and continues to threaten our ability to operate.
With significantly reduced resources, we’ve had no choice but to limit the number of animals we can bring into our care. Despite clearly stating on our website that we are unable to cater for more animals, we still received an average of one urgent plea for help every two days. Desperate owners have continued to reach out via email, our contact form, and social media, begging for assistance that we simply cannot provide.
This ongoing crisis highlights just how vital Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue is. The only specialist centre for rabbits and rodents in South West Wales, the demand for our services far exceeds what we can currently supply. The heartbreaking reality is that without adequate funding, more and more animals in urgent need will have nowhere to turn.
Adoptions in 2024: The Impact of Limited Intakes
The chart illustrates the sharp decline in adoption numbers over recent years, with just 4 animals finding new homes in 2024. This is a direct result of the limited number of animals we’ve been able to take in due to funding constraints. With fewer intakes, the majority of animals available for adoption have been single male rabbits, leading to a mismatch with the high volume of enquiries we’ve received for female rabbits and rodents, especially guinea pigs.
Many of the rabbits in our care have been with us for over two years, and while they are healthy, happy, and ready for homes, long-term stays can leave potential adopters wondering if something is wrong with them. This perception has made it even harder to find suitable homes, creating a frustrating cycle for both the animals and our team.
We recognise the urgent need to address this issue and will be working on various strategies to help increase adoption rates in 2025. By raising awareness about our wonderful long-term residents and improving the way we connect potential adopters with their perfect companions, we hope to give more animals the loving homes they deserve.
Expenditure Trends: Growth and Cutbacks
The chart shows the steady growth in expenditure from 2021 to mid-2023, reflecting our investments in infrastructure and staffing. During this period, we expanded our rabbit housing, increased capacity for rodents in the cabin, and hired additional staff to care for the growing number of animals at the centre.
However, from June 2023, rising costs and a lack of funding forced us to reduce the number of animals we could house and make difficult cutbacks. In 2024, we further reduced staffing levels to lower salary expenses, while also limiting maintenance and expansion projects. These measures, though necessary, came at a cost to our capacity to help animals in need.
These figures highlight the financial challenges we face and the critical need for sustainable funding to ensure we can continue to provide high-quality care for the animals who depend on us.
2024 Annual Report The Figures
Income and Reserves
Income Trends: The Start of a Crisis
The chart highlights the significant drop in funding during 2022, marking the beginning of our ongoing funding crisis. Despite our best efforts, this decline created a financial gap that we have been unable to recover from.
While overall funding improved between 2023 and 2024, this increase has not kept pace with the rising costs of running the centre. The growing expenses for animal care, staffing, and operational needs have made it impossible for us to return to full capacity.
This funding shortfall has directly impacted our ability to take in and care for animals in need, forcing us to reduce our operations and scale back vital services. As we face continued financial uncertainty, sustainable funding is critical to ensure the future of Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue and the animals who depend on us.
Expenditure vs. Income: The Reality Behind the Figures
At first glance, the figures in this chart may appear somewhat healthy, but the reality is far more complex. The surplus generated in 2021 allowed us to make significant investments in 2022, including increased staffing and the completion of our infrastructure. Thanks to additional grant funding, we were able to build eight new rabbit housing units, ensuring Nibbles could once again operate as a hutch-free rescue. This investment supported the care of over 50 rabbits coming into our care between 2021 and 2022.
While we saw another surplus in 2023, this was quickly absorbed by rising staff salaries in 2024. By mid-2023, one part-time staff member was lost, and remaining staff reduced their hours starting in September. Despite these cutbacks, our expenditure in 2024 remained higher than in 2022, reflecting the rising costs of animal care, salaries, and operations.
The surplus funding from 2024 has been critical in allowing Abi to increase her hours during 2025. This adjustment will support day-to-day admin and provide Siobhan with more time to focus on essential projects aimed at saving the centre. However, the surplus is not a sign of financial stability—it is merely a temporary measure to keep us afloat.
Funding Reserves for 2025: A Vital Boost Amidst Challenges
The chart illustrates how our funding reserves for 2025 are allocated, reflecting both careful financial planning and the harsh realities of our current situation. We ended 2024 with a total of £51,454.90 in reserve, a figure that provides some much-needed stability as we move into the new year.
A significant portion of these reserves—£12,441.05—has been set aside to support us into 2026, offering a crucial buffer. This was made possible almost entirely due to an unexpected online fundraising event at the end of 2024, which raised an incredible £12,000. Without this vital boost, we would have been left with just £441.05 going forward—a sum far too small to offer any hope for the future.
While this funding provides a glimmer of optimism, it only covers the bare-bones costs of 2025. We are already anticipating further increases in running costs during the year, including the need for an additional round of rabbit vaccinations. Unfortunately, our predicted income for 2025 is far below what is required to meet these rising costs and to set aside sufficient funds to cover even the most basic costs for 2026.
2025: A Make-or-Break Year
2025 will be the defining year for Nibbles as we work tirelessly to increase support and meet our projected funding requirements. The next 12 months will determine whether we can secure the future of the rescue or face the heartbreaking reality of closure. With the continued generosity and backing of our supporters, we hope to overcome these challenges and remain a lifeline for rabbits and rodents in need.
2024 Annual Report Looking to 2025
Summary
Precarious Future: Without significant improvements in funding, Nibbles will be forced to close in December 2025 after 11 years of operation.
Founder’s Dedication: Siobhan has given 10 years of her life to Nibbles, transforming a neglected patch of land into a sanctuary through hard work and unwavering belief that these animals deserve better.
Focus for 2025: Prioritising online presence and digital marketing to increase monthly pledges and sponsorships, aiming to cover the current monthly running costs of £3,500.
Future Goals: Achieving sustainable funding will allow Nibbles to reopen rabbit housing, cater for rodents again, and expand its impact to help more animals.
As we approach 2025, we are acutely aware of the precariousness of our current situation. Without significant improvements in our funding, Nibbles Rodent & Rabbit Rescue will be forced to close its doors in December 2025 after 11 years of dedicated service. This heartbreaking possibility comes despite the tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of our founder, Siobhan, who has devoted the past decade of her life to building and running the rescue.
Nibbles began with nothing but a neglected patch of land. Siobhan’s vision and determination transformed that space into a sanctuary for rabbits and rodents in need. From laying hundreds of paving slabs by hand to constructing much of the housing we still use today, from hours spent caring for the animals to countless nights in front of the laptop managing the rescue, every part of Nibbles bears the mark of
her belief that these animals deserve better. Over the years, a dedicated team has grown around her, helping to share the load. However, the ongoing funding crisis has taken a toll, both on the charity and on Siobhan’s health and wellbeing, as she continues to shoulder 12–16 hour days to keep the rescue running.
Despite these hardships, Siobhan’s passion for rabbits and rodents remains unwavering. She firmly believes that these animals need Nibbles now more than ever. With this in mind, we are determined to give everything we have in 2025 to save the rescue and the vital work we do.
Our expertise lies in the care and welfare of rabbits and rodents—it’s what we do best. However, for Nibbles to succeed, we must broaden our focus and step outside our comfort zone. Much of 2025 will be dedicated to improving our online presence and digital marketing efforts. This will involve learning new skills, implementing fresh strategies, and finding creative ways to connect with potential supporters. Our primary goal is to increase monthly pledges and sponsorships to meet our current running costs of approximately £3,500 per month at our current capacity.
If we can achieve this critical milestone, we can begin to look beyond survival toward regrowth. Securing sustainable funding will enable us to reopen more rabbit housing, provide for rodents once again, and pursue other initiatives that will increase our impact and support for these often-overlooked animals.
2025 will be a defining year for Nibbles, and we are ready to rise to the challenge. Together with our supporters, we aim to ensure that the rescue continues to be a place of hope and refuge for rabbits and rodents, giving them the lives they truly deserve.
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