The RSPCA is appealing for information after two rabbits were abandoned in a cardboard box in Attleborough, near Norfolk.
The buns were spotted in a box under a hedge by a kind member of the public at around 2.30pm on Wednesday (20 July) on what was the busiest day at the charity – when the RSPCA receives its most calls – a total of 5,971.
Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Paige Burnham was called to rescue the rabbits who also had injuries to their ears, possibly old wounds from fighting one another. They had no food or water, and were found in a soiled cardboard box and had been left out in the heat.
Paige said: “These poor rabbits had been abandoned in a soiled cardboard box and left out in the heat. Thankfully, they were spotted when they were and a kind member of the public called us for help. We know that many people are struggling at the moment as the cost of living crisis puts a strain on people’s finances and this may mean they can no longer afford to care for their pets but there is never an excuse to abandon an animal like this, it’s just cruel.
“This is just one example of the heartbreaking cruelty the RSPCA deals with everyday. The RSPCA sees a rise of animal cruelty over the summer months with 245 reports of cruelty every day. And with 21 reports of animal beatings a day – nearly one beating every hour – the charity is braced for a summer of suffering.
“Our frontline teams will be working hard to rescue animals in need this busy summer but we need your help to save animals from abuse and Cancel Out Cruelty for good.”
The friendly rabbits are now in RSPCA care and are doing well.
If anyone has any information about how they came to be abandoned please contact the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
The RSPCA has seen a 49% increase in rabbits coming into its care in the first five months of the year as rabbits seem to be abandoned or given up due to the cost of living crisis.
