Rabbits rescued by RSPCA after up to 15 were spotted dumped on the side of the road near Tothill

More than a dozen rabbits have been spotted dumped in a layby beside a busy road.

A member of the public called in the RSPCA after seeing between 10 and 15 of the abandoned pets loose on the B4640 near Tothill earlier this month.

Luckily the charity was able to rescue three of the little creatures, but the fate of the remaining pets is unknown.

And now RSPCA inspector Nikki Denham is appealing for any information so she can try to find out where the rabbits have come from.

She said the charity was currently facing huge challenges as a rise in abandonment incidents was being dealt with by its frontline rescue teams.

“Rabbits are one of the nation’s most popular pets but we often see them abandoned when owners decide they no longer want them, or can’t cope with their needs,” she added.

“These rabbits had just been dumped in a layby beside a busy road without a thought for their safety or welfare.

“There are not only the dangers of the road, but also wild predators such as foxes and they would be unable to survive in the wild.

“It means sadly the RSPCA deals with numerous calls about bunnies where they have been neglected or abandoned.

“We were told there were between 10 and 15 rabbits abandoned in the layby but despite spending hours trying to find them all, and numerous trips back to check if I could spot any more, I could only find and rescue three rabbits.

"It’s heartbreaking to think what has happened to the others.

“We’re hoping someone may recognise the rabbits as they are very distinctive, white with blue eyes and eyeliner markings with a bit of tan on them.”

The rescued trio have now been taken into care at RSPCA Ashley Heath Animal Centre and if no one comes forward to claim them they will be rehomed.

Anyone with information can call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

The numbers of rabbits coming into the care of the RSPCA have risen dramatically in recent years, while adoption rates have not kept up, leaving many bunnies stuck at centres waiting for new homes.

In the first half of last year there was a 49 per cent increase in the numbers of rabbits arriving in RSPCA centres compared to the same period in 2021.

Some of the rise is attributed to pets acquired during lockdown being dumped by owners who have grown tired of them or are facing cost-of-living pressures, so they are – tragically – making hasty decisions to get rid of their pets.

Owners who fail to neuter their rabbits are also believed to be contributing towards the rise in abandoned bunnies ending up in RSPCA care, as rabbits breed very quickly and owners can soon find they have more than they bargained for.

The RSPCA can offer guidance on how to sex their rabbits so as to avoid unwanted litters.

RSPCA senior scientific officer Dr Jane Tyson, from the charity’s companion animal welfare department, says prospective owners really need to do their research so that they will know the commitment they will have to make before taking on rabbits as pets.

“If owners do their research, then rabbits are simply amazing pets,” she said. “The best way to give rabbits a loving new home is to give rescue bunnies a second chance of forever home happiness.

“Rescue animals from the RSPCA will be neutered, vaccinated and microchipped – and our specialist teams will work with new owners to ensure that it is a perfect match, and to help find successful pairs of rabbits too."

Anyone looking to add a new rabbit to their family can check out the RSPCA's Find a Pet website.

The RSPCA also offers help to those people struggling to look after their rabbits because of the cost-of-living crisis, including these resources at the RSPCA cost-of-living online hub.

"The numbers of rabbits coming into our centres has increased dramatically and we have a real crisis on our hands," added Dr Tyson. "A lot of people will have perceived rabbits as good starter pets during the Covid lockdowns while looking for companionship or something to do.

“While many rabbits will have found great homes during that time, in some cases, sadly, the situation is different and the novelty wears off.

“As rabbits have a long life span, typically of between eight to 12 years, and complex needs, the cost-of-living crisis is only going to make things worse and we are bracing ourselves for more coming into our centres.”