A Dundee animal centre is urging would-be pet owners to consider adopting a rescue rabbit following a spike in the numbers being abandoned.
The Scottish SPCA has seen a 40% rise in the rate of rabbits coming into its care in the first half of 2019, compared to last year.
The charity’s Angus, Fife and Tayside centre at Petterden on the outskirts of Dundee has dealt with 28 abandoned rabbits in the past five months, compared to 14 in the same period in 2018.
Elliot Hay, Dundee Animal Rescue and Re-homing Centre manager, said some of the animals had arrived in a neglected state.
“This worrying trend demonstrates why we need to raise awareness of the hardships many pet rabbits face,” he said.
“There are many excuses as to why people are giving up their pet rabbits and although there are lots of loving owners who treat their pets like one of the family and give them all the care and attention they need, sadly this isn’t true in all cases.
“Some rabbits arrive in our care in a terrible state having been denied basic nutrition and veterinary attention, while others are sadly forgotten pets children have grown tired of.”
The charity is highlighting the plight of the popular pet as part of Rabbit Awareness Week, which runs from June 1-9.
Existing and would-be owners are being encouraged to consider taking on a rescue rabbit rather than buying a new bunny from a shop — and to think carefully about the responsibility of caring for the animals.
Mr Hay added: “Rabbits are very sociable animals and can become stressed if they are left on their own.
“The biggest issue is rabbits being put in a hutch and left at the bottom of the garden, with many enduring a life of solitude and boredom.
“While we never encourage taking on a pet on impulse we have many rabbits in our care looking for good, permanent homes.
“Anyone thinking of re-homing a rabbit should ensure they have the time, commitment and financial ability to provide a happy and healthy life.”
The Scottish SPCA re-homing centre in Dundee currently has seven rabbits awaiting re-homing and potential owners are being invited to visit.
