Think twice about buying a new bunny
The Scottish SPCA is urging people to think very carefully before buying a bunny following a 20 per cent rise in the number of rabbits coming into the charity’s care over the last five years.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity is highlighting the plight of the common pet with its annual Rabbit Awareness Week in August.
The Scottish SPCA is keen to encourage existing and would-be owners to consider taking on a rescue rabbit rather than buying a new bunny from a shop, with the number of abandoned, unwanted and neglected bunnies coming into its care steadily increasing over the last five years.
Marion Hainey, manager of the charity’s rescue and rehoming centre in Ayrshire said: “In 2015 we rescued a staggering 669 rabbits across Scotland, which is a 20% increase on the 555 rabbits we cared for in 2010.
“This year is proving to be very challenging as well and this worrying trend demonstrates why we need to raise awareness of the hardships many pet rabbits face.
“There are many excuses as to why people are giving up their pet rabbits, the main reason being that their children have got bored of them.
“Although there are lots of loving rabbit 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.
“Thankfully, the severe cruelty cases are in the minority. 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.
“Often the only interaction they have is a brief visit from their owner to bring food and water. Many owners even find this to be a chore and it is these rabbits which tend to be dumped outdoors or handed into one of our rescue centres.”