I'm going to break this down point by point.

First, your contention that rabbits and guinea pigs be kept outside. Did you know that these animals:

-were initially kept outdoors by monks as a food source like cattle, which is why they are kept outdoors today

-will statistically live much shorter lives outdoors than indoors (which of course didn't matter to the monks, who were going to eat them after all)

-are statistically FAR more likely to be neglected outdoors than indoors

-cannot maintain a safe temperature outdoors

-are not safe from predators, who can stress them to illness or death even if they can't physically kill them

-are more likely to get parasites and illnesses outdoors

-are MANY times more likely to end up in rescues from outdoor homes

-are more lonely outdoors

-are less friendly outdoors

-are VERY different from wild rabbits, and even so a garden is nothing at all like the vast, densely populated underground warren a wild rabbit inhabits

You can read more about keeping rabbits and guinea pigs indoors where they are safe, happy, loved and warm in the articles that I've linked to in our video description above (here are the links -  http://pawshereedinburgh.co.uk/page_66 and http://www.allearssac.org/indoors.html and http://www.guineapigcages.com/location.htm and http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/outdoor-environments/46491-whats-wrong-ke... and http://rabbitmatch.org/help-advice/why-keep-rabbits-indoors/). Please read them carefully, they contain important and useful information.

Now on to the cages we keep them in being too small. Did you know that our cages:

-are significantly bigger than just about any outdoor hutch

-are SIGNIFICANTLY bigger than they are required to be by law

-are the largest size of dog crate it is possible to buy without going to a specialist

And that our animals get time outside of their cages every day to play, during which they frequently binky to show their happiness, and happily run back into their cages themselves once they are done?

Also, guinea pigs especially are easily overwhelmed by too much open space, as they are prey animals who are naturally crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk when the light is dim to avoid predators) and otherwise like to hide in enclosed spaces.

Our animals are all given daily health and wellness checks, and we adjust their environments to reflect how they're doing physically and mentally.

Now as to the point about not rehoming to outdoor homes being the reason we are full of rescue animals. This is such a gross misunderstanding of the OVERWHELMING welfare issues that we deal with on a daily basis, that I would like to personally invite you to spend time at our rescue, daily, for a couple of weeks. This is a serious, 100% genuine invitation. Because that's the only way I can think of to make you see the true and appalling situation, where EVERY SINGLE RESCUE is full of unwanted rescue rabbits and guinea pigs. EVERY SINGLE ONE. Even the ones who rehome to outdoor homes. Even the ones who ONLY rehome to outdoor homes.

Let me hit you with some facts:

-Over 95% of our rescue rabbits and g.pigs come from outdoor homes

-Outdoor pets are vastly more likely to be neglected

-Our worst rescue rabbit that we have ever seen, who this year won the Burgess Wetnose Rescue Story of the Year Award, was in such a sorry state DUE TO BEING KEPT OUTSIDE

-people don't bond with their outdoor pets, so they are seen as more disposable. After all, would you even make your dog live outdoors all the time in all weather?

-rabbits are one of the most neglected pets in Britain. We believe that is because they are kept in a box at the bottom of the garden and never interacted with.

I will never place one of the precious creatures entrusted to this rescue in a situation where it is almost a statistical CERTAINTY that they will have a sad, short life. But that is NOT why we are full. Almost everyone who approaches us to adopt is approved & wants to keep their pets indoors. It is the sheer number of rabbits "produced" by breeding mills & sold like toys by big pet stores to irresponsible owners that has caused the current national crisis in rabbit welfare.

This is what I live and breathe every day, my work and my calling. This is what I know, what I dedicate my life to.

Please educate yourself, and ask again if you still don't get it.

I'll finish by saying that if you consider your home a "noisy, small, enclosed space" then don't get a rabbit. Period. It's not a god given right - if you can't provide the right safe environment within your home then don't get one. Simple.

Snowy is out of surgery, back at the rescue and doing well! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far, we have raised £73 so we are so close to our target of £108 to be able to pay for her surgery. The rescue simply cannot meet this cost so if anyone else is able to donate and help us to raise the £35 still needed, please please do so here. Alternatively you can paypal directly to us from your account, our email address is pets@pawshereedinburgh.co.uk

Here's our little fighter Snowy:

Sadly one of our other special needs rescue bunnies, Lucy, is also unwell just now with an eye infection. She's being treated by our vet with an initial week long course of treatments. Please keep her in your thoughts! This week will be crucial for Lucy!