The RSPCA is appealing for information after 16 rabbits of various breeds were abandoned by rubbish bins in Southend.
The animal charity hopes the differences in appearances between the rabbits – who were all squashed inside two cardboard boxes (pictured) and left in an alleyway at Hamstel Road in the Garon Park area of the town – may be remembered by someone as it seeks to trace the owner.
Among the breeds are Netherland Dwarf and lop-eared rabbits, while four of the bunnies are babies. While most of the rabbits were in a healthy condition, two were unable to stand when they were found, but have since recovered.
They were spotted by a member of the public who took them to a local vets on Wednesday, July 19. One of the babies, a two-week-old, is now being hand reared by a member of staff at a local rescue, while some of the other rabbits are being cared for at South Essex Wildlife Hospital.
RSPCA inspector Jenny Wildman, who is investigating the abandonment, said: “Fortunately, these poor rabbits appear to have been found quite quickly it seems, as there were no droppings in the box, which is just as well as four are babies.
“They do stand out as they are all different breeds, which is unusual and that might trigger someone’s memory. Someone might know of an owner who had lots of different rabbits. We are appealing for anyone who has information on how they were left in this way to contact us. It may be that these rabbits were with breeders and sadly these are the ones they couldn’t sell.”
“It is horrible to think they were found in a box next to some bins, as there was nothing to distinguish them from any other rubbish that had been left out.”
The boxes the rabbits were left in were previously used to store burger buns and drinks, but there was no note found attached.
The RSPCA is grappling with a big rise in the numbers of rabbits that are being abandoned or given up. During 2022 there was a 48% increase in the intake of rabbits to the charity’s branches and animal centres compared to 2021 – with over 3,000 unwanted rabbits arriving.
But rehoming rates have slowed down, which has left the charity looking after more and more rabbits for longer. Last year the numbers of rabbits being cared for by RSPCA branches for more than six months rose by 199%. This year (up to May 31) RSPCA animal centres have taken in 307 rabbits and 378 have arrived at its branches.
The inspector added: “It took half a day to find spaces for all of the rabbits. It is a real issue at the moment finding places that can take rabbits and we usually have to fall back on paying for private boarding while we look to rehome.
“Rabbit abandonments are a big problem for us at the moment and it is not being helped by the cost of living. It is possible that the owner of these rabbits did try and call up local rescue centres, but found there were no places. But it is no excuse to leave such vulnerable animals, including babies, in such a spot.
“Fortunately, South Essex Wildlife Hospital is going to try and rehome these bunnies for us. The youngest baby is being hand reared at another rescue by a staff member who is already hand rearing three other babies.”
The incident comes at the same time as the RSPCA has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty fund-raising campaign which aims to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abandonments.
The inspector added: “This incident really highlights why we need to Cancel out Cruelty to animals and to help us to rescue more unwanted pets like these poor rabbits.”
Anyone with any information as to how these rabbits were left in Southend is asked to ring the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018.
