The RSPCA is urging people to consider adopting a rabbit as we mark the start of the Chinese new year.
The lunar new year is China’s most important festival, and is widely celebrated across the UK.
2023 has been designated as the Year of the Rabbit, and it’s said to herald a year of prosperity and hope.
The rabbit is also considered to be the luckiest of the animals in the Chinese Zodiac, so hopefully some of the bunnies the RSPCA is looking after will prove the astrologists right and find loving new owners very soon!
Staff at the charity’s animal centres say hundreds of rabbits in their care are looking for a new home, and they are hoping to pique the interest of people who are ready to lavish their love and affection on a small pet.
The number of rabbits coming into the care of the RSPCA has risen dramatically in recent years – but adoption rates haven’t kept up.
This leaves many bunnies stuck at RSPCA centres waiting for new homes.
In the first half of 2022 there was a 49% increase in the number of rabbits arriving into their centres compared to the same period in 2021.
The rise is partly due 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 the decision to get rid of their pets.
Across England and Wales, there are currently 160 bunnies on the RSPCA’s private boarding list, all waiting for a space to be freed up at one of the RSPCA’s own centres.
The charity spends £26,000 per week on boarding for the bunnies, as their centres are at full capacity.
RSPCA branch manager Becky Blackmore said: “We have just taken some of the rabbits on our private boarding list who had been waiting for space for over seven months in private accommodation that, nationally, will cost the RSPCA tens of thousands of pounds.
“Then there are the hundreds of rabbits who are filling up our regional and branch centres. We need more animal lovers to come forward to adopt our rabbits – people often don’t realise that the RSPCA rehomes rabbits.
“I believe that we have more rabbits in our care awaiting homes than any other organisation in the country – so we really hope that Chinese New Year will help draw attention to some of the amazing rescue bunnies with the RSPCA.”
Owners who fail to neuter their rabbits are also thought to be contributing to the rise in abandoned bunnies ending up in RSPCA care.
Rabbits famously breed very quickly and owners can soon find they have more than they bargained for.
The RSPCA can offer guidance to people on how to sex their rabbits to avoid unwanted litters.
RSPCA senior scientific officer Dr Jane Tyson said prospective owners need to do their research so that they know the commitment they will have to make before taking on rabbits as pets.
She said: “If owners do their research, then rabbits are simply amazing pets.
“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.
“The numbers of rabbits coming into our centres has increased dramatically and we have a real crisis on our hands.
“As rabbits have a long life span, typically of between 8-12 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.”
Anyone considering taking on a new rabbit can check out the RSPCA’s Find a Pet website, to adopt rather than shop.
All these rabbits will need a large enclosure with an attached run so they have plenty of space to run around and explore.
Ideally, they will need to be rehomed with their friends or adopted into a family with an existing friendly rabbit.
The RSPCA also offers help to people struggling to look after their rabbits because of the cost of living crisis, including resources in their new online hub.
Among the adorable rabbits currently needing new homes are…
Buzz, a placid Lionhead rabbit who, after being rescued from unsatisfactory conditions, has been cared for by the RSPCA Kent-North West Branch for the last two months. He loves being hand fed and would love to live indoors, while he could do with a spayed female to keep him company.
Blossom arrived at the Kent-North West Branch a fortnight ago and is a friendly, inquisitive female Angora rabbit who has lived indoors. Because of her breed Blossom’s coat will need a great deal of grooming and attention, so her new owners will have to invest some time on her. She needs a neutered male to live with.
Dennis was rescued by RSPCA officers and is now being cared for at the Birmingham Animal Centre. Staff say he is friendly, but a little timid. He likes his freedom and he is very clean, so he could be rehomed as a house bunny, although he would still need an outdoor run to allow him time outside – especially when the weather is nice. Dennis was neutered recently, so he could live with a neutered female bunny for company.
Meimei and Gigi (a mother and daughter duo) are RSPCA Crewe, Nantwich and District Branch’s snow babies. Meimei is around three years old and Gigi, 18 months of age. The branch’s volunteers say the pair love being outside, exploring and playing with their toys rather than being snuggled up in the warmth, even in the recent cold temperatures.
Gus and Muffin are being rehomed by the RSPCA Macclesfield, South East Cheshire and Buxton Branch directly from their current home as their owner is moving house. Gus was adopted and bonded in 2018, but his partner died, so he was matched up with Muffin from another branch. They like to be close to each other, and are friendly and curious.
Luna and Harley came into the care of Llys Nini Animal Centre, near Swansea, separately. Harley was rescued as a stray, whereas Luna was brought in from her previous owner after she had not got on with her sister rabbit. But the pair have bonded well together at Llys Nini and while neither are keen on being picked up they are said to love being fed dandelions and treats.
