The RSPCA is appealing for information after a rabbit was left abandoned in the car park of one of the charity’s animal centres.
A member of the public found the pet cowering inside a cardboard storage box and took her into RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre in Kent on the afternoon of Halloween, October 31.
The lop-eared rabbit received veterinary treatment, but sadly she was in such poor health that a vet later decided the kindest thing to do was to put her to sleep.
Leybourne Kennel and Cattery Supervisor Claire Yorke says it is not the first time pets have been abandoned in the centre’s car park on Castle Way in Leybourne.
“This poor rabbit was left inside a used storage box which was probably in the car park for a couple of hours before she was found,” said Claire.
“Sadly, the rabbit was in very poor condition. She was obese, suffering from digestive problems and her nails were very long. It looked like she’d been neglected for several months, in fact whoever owned her had completely given up on her care and had left her in a terrible condition.
“The box she was left in is quite distinctive, so someone may know something about the background to this abandonment.
“We are dealing with many abandoned pets currently and expect this to get worse due to pet owners struggling with the cost of living crisis especially approaching the festive season which is why we have launched our Join The Christmas Rescue so we can continue our vital work.
The mainly white and brown coloured lop rabbit was around two years of age, while the cardboard box she was left in is marked StorageMart, a self-storage business in Maidstone.
Anyone with any information can contact the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018.
In recent years RSPCA animal centres have had to find homes for large numbers of abandoned and unwanted rabbits. In 2022 there was a 48% rise in the numbers taken in, with 1,090 rabbits arriving at the charity’s animal centres and 1,942 rescued by RSPCA branches.
While there has been a fall in the numbers arriving at the charity’s centres this year (up to the end of May) from 401 down to 264 for a similar period in 2023, there are still many rabbits waiting for new homes in private boarding as rehoming rates from centres fall.
Many owners who abandon their pets have not considered the long-term costs of caring for rabbits, which include neutering and the provision of an adequate diet and suitable-sized accommodation.
The RSPCA would urge people to consider very carefully the commitment of ownership as rabbits and other small animals are often viewed as easy pets to care for, but in fact require an investment in time and resources over the long term.
Anyone struggling to look after their pet can find lots of information on the RSPCA’s website. The animal charity also has dedicated cost of living support, with a telephone helpline on 0300 123 0650 and an online hub, with advice, including details of pet food bank schemes.
The RSPCA has launched its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign and is calling on the public to support the initiative to ensure rescuers can continue their life-saving work during the busy winter period.
