From a Rabbit Rescue to a Community Pet Shop
North East Pets isn't just a pet shop – it's the result of a passion for helping animals that started many years ago with our rabbit rescue, Hebburn Bunnies.
What began as a small rescue operating from our family garage grew through one simple goal: helping more animals and supporting the people who care for them.
As the rescue expanded, we realised many pet owners struggled to find quality products at fair prices and often received conflicting or incorrect advice. We wanted to change that. We believed pet owners deserved access to the right products, honest guidance, and prices that didn't break the bank.
That vision led to the creation of North East Pets.
Today, we've grown from a garage-based rescue into a fully stocked pet shop in Hebburn, while continuing the Rabbit rescue work that started it all.
Hebburn Bunnies – Still at the Heart of What We Do
Although North East Pets has grown, animal welfare remains at the centre of everything we do.
Our rabbits now live within our Hebburn store, where visitors can meet some of our residents and learn more about responsible rabbit ownership. We continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome rabbits whenever possible, helping give unwanted and neglected rabbits a second chance.
We're proud to hold a 5-Star Rabbitry Licence from the local council, reflecting our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of animal care and welfare.
Why Our Small Animal Department Is Different
If there's one area of the shop we're especially proud of, it's our small animal department.
Having started with rabbits and continuing our rescue work today, we know first-hand that rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, and other small pets deserve just as much care and attention as dogs and cats.
Unfortunately, many pet shops dedicate little more than a single shelf or stand to small animals. We've always felt these amazing pets deserve better.
That's why we've dedicated nearly 50% of our entire store to small animal products and supplies. From quality foods and healthy treats to enrichment toys, housing, bedding, healthcare products, and accessories, we've worked hard to create one of the most comprehensive small animal sections you'll find anywhere in the North East.
Whether you're a first-time hamster owner or a lifelong rabbit enthusiast, you'll find products chosen by people who genuinely understand and care about small animals. And if you're not sure what you need, we're always happy to share advice based on real experience from both pet ownership and rescue work.
Small animals aren't an afterthought at North East Pets—they're where our journey began, and they'll always be at the heart of what we do.
More Than Just a Pet Shop
We're a family-run business built by pet owners, for pet owners.
Every product we stock is carefully selected because we genuinely believe it offers value, quality, or benefits for pets. We don't simply sell products—we help customers make informed choices for their animals.
Whether you're looking for:
🐾 Raw dog food and natural treats
🐶 Dog food and accessories
🐱 Cat food and supplies
🐇 Rabbit and small animal essentials
🦜 Bird food and accessories
🐠 Aquatic supplies
You'll always receive honest advice from people who care about animal welfare first and sales second.
A Place for People Too
One thing that makes North East Pets different is that we've always wanted the shop to be more than somewhere to buy pet supplies.
We have tea, coffee, and snacks available in store, and customers are always welcome to pop in for a chat. Whether you need advice about your pet, want to meet fellow animal lovers, or simply fancy a cuppa while browsing, you'll find a warm welcome waiting for you.
Many of our customers have become friends over the years, and we're incredibly proud of the community that's grown around the shop.
Meet Our Pets
People often ask how many pets we have, and the honest answer is... it depends on the day!
Rabbits have always been at the heart of our journey. What started with just two rabbits eventually grew into Hebburn Bunnies Rabbit Rescue, and today the number of rabbits in our care can range from around 10 to over 60 depending on rescue cases and rehoming availability. Alongside our rescue rabbits, we have 10 rabbits that we proudly call our own, each with their own personalities and quirks.
Our canine family is led by Skye, our beautiful 11-year-old Siberian Husky. She's our gorgeous old lady—sometimes a little grumpy, always loving, and a huge part of the family. Then there's Rosie, our 2-year-old Cocker Spaniel, who couldn't be more different. Full of energy, permanently excited, and absolutely nuts in the best possible way, Rosie loves everyone she meets and keeps us all on our toes.
Sharing the house are our two magnificent Maine Coon cats, Nova and Luna. Despite the dogs' size, it's the cats who truly run the household. They confidently boss the dogs around and make sure everyone knows who's in charge!
Our smaller family members include Biscuit and Marshmallow, our curious gerbils, who never fail to entertain us with their digging and adventures.
We also keep two tropical aquariums, home to a variety of colourful fish, and Toon the tortoise, another much-loved member of the family who enjoys life at his own pace.
Living with so many different animals gives us first-hand experience of the joys and challenges of pet ownership. It's one of the reasons we're so passionate about helping other pet owners find the right products, advice, and support for their own furry, feathered, scaled, and finned family members.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple:
To help animals live better lives while supporting the people who care for them.
Everything we do—from rescuing rabbits and advising customers to selecting products and setting prices—is guided by that principle.
We're proud of how far we've come, but we'll never forget where we started: helping animals from a garage and doing everything we could to make a difference.
Thank you for supporting North East Pets and Hebburn Bunnies. Every purchase helps us continue supporting pets, their owners, and our ongoing rescue work.
Visit Us
North East Pets
Unit 8 Victoria Industrial Estate
Hebburn
Tyne & Wear
NE31 1UB
Pop in, meet the rabbits, grab a tea or coffee, and say hello—we'd love to meet you and your pets.
Come and Say Hello
Whether you're shopping online or popping in locally, we'd love to hear from you. Follow us on Instagram (@nepetshop) and Facebook (nepetshop) to keep up with new products, offers, and a whole lot of cute pet content.
Thank you for supporting a local, family business. It truly means the world to us – and to our pets! 🐾
