RSPCA caring for four rabbits abandoned in dirty hutches

The RSPCA in Hampshire is caring for four rabbits who were sadly abandoned in dirty hutches at the gate leading to the animal centre.

Staff at RSPCA Ashley Heath Animal Centre in Ringwood, Hampshire, discovered the rabbits late on Tuesday evening (16 July). They found two female rabbits inside one hutch and two males inside another. Sadly, the hutches were dirty with urine and faeces build-up and the four young rabbits were very stressed.

Nicola Anthony, supervisor at RSPCA Ashley Heath, said: “These poor rabbits were very stressed when we brought them into the centre at around 10pm on Tuesday night. It was only by chance we spotted the hutches as they were to the side of the gate and not easily seen otherwise they could have been left out there all night. I do dread to think what may have happened to them if we hadn’t spotted them when we did as we know there is a family of foxes in the area.

“When we checked the security camera footage, we could see that the hutches, which are a decent size, were dropped off from the back of a flatbed lorry but unfortunately the number plate or the two people who dropped them off are not clear enough to identify.” 

The female rabbits have been named Lemon Drop and Candy Pop – and the males have been called Humbug and Mr Worthers as they have already proven to be sweet rabbits who are used to being handled!

Nicola added: “Each pair had been left with food and water which was at least something, but unfortunately the hutches were quite dirty with some urine and faeces which we think must have been at least a few days worth of toileting. The hutches also look fairly new which makes me think that these rabbits have perhaps been bought on a whim and the owners soon realised they were more complicated to care for than they originally thought, or they could no longer afford to keep them.

“We understand that people may be struggling, especially at the moment with a cost of living crisis, but we would urge owners not to abandon their pets and instead to reach out for help from friends and family, or charities like ourselves. Luckily, we have been able to take these sweet buns into our care where they are getting the care and attention they need, however, animal centres across the RSPCA are full-to-bursting at the moment so people must not  dump pets on animal centre doorsteps in this way, or anywhere else.

“Sadly, this is already a really busy time for the RSPCA. We receive more reports of cruelty in summer than at any other time of year. That’s why we’ve launched the RSPCA Summer Cruelty Appeal, because it’s vital that we all take action together to help animals. If you believe that no animal deserves cruelty, please donate now to help animals as abuse reaches its awful peak this summer.” 

New figures from the RSPCA show that the number of reports of abandoned animals during the first four months of this year – when compared to the first four months of 2021 when the cost of living crisis began to take its toll – have increased by more than a third (37%). The charity is working hard to try and keep owners with their pets amid the financial crisis – and has launched a Cost of Living Hub and dedicated phone line, and has provided over 1.75 million meals to pets as part of its Pet Food Bank scheme.

If anyone has any information about how the rabbits came to be abandoned or saw anything around Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, on Tuesday 16 July at around 9.40pm please contact the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

More information on caring for rabbits is available on the RSPCA website.