SMALL animal rescue centres in Worcestershire have taken in more unwanted rabbits than ever before during the Covid pandemic - and are dreading an even bigger surge after Easter.
Wythall Animal Sanctuary has been taking an unprecedented two or more calls each day about unwanted rabbits since 2020, and while local rescues are being asked to take in more pets than ever before, it has never been more difficult to rehome them due to lockdown restrictions.
With no spare space, Wythall's rehoming capability fell from the usual annual levels of 20 to 40 to just seven last year.
A spokesperson for the sanctuary said: "People don't seem to realise that rabbits take just as much work, love and care as any other pet.
"They need to live with another rabbit for company, need neutering and annual vaccinations, and can live over 10 years."
Greatfield Small Animal Rescue in Kidderminster recently came to the rescue of a rabbit whose owners were too scared to handle him, so he was being given away for free.
Rescue owner Lynsey Hill saw the social media post and drove 40 miles to pick him up.
Lynsey expected to be savaged by the untamed rabbit when she opened the hutch, but to her surprise, he head-bumped her and let her fuss him, and has been extremely affectionate and loving in his new home.
According to the RSPCA, rabbits are one of the most neglected pets in the UK, and rescue centres in Worcestershire are expecting to see numbers peak after Easter as it's the most popular time of year for gifting rabbits.
Greatfield has also taken in plenty of mice since it launched at the start of 2020. On one occasion, Lynsey was asked to take in 54 from one home.
Although they were well-loved, the mice were badly housed, with 39 crowded into one tank and of mixed sex. Due to the cramped conditions, only one pregnancy made it to full term.
Greatfield and Wythall Animal Sanctuary are both backing One Voice for Animals UK, which launched in April 2020 to support the UK's smaller rescue centres as they struggled during the Covid crisis.
Lynsey said: "Sadly, rodent care is very overlooked. Hopefully adding our voice to One Voice for Animals UK's campaign will help people know where to find healthy animals and find out about their needs."
One Voice for Animals UK is campaigning during the first half of 2021 to improve awareness about the welfare of domestic rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and other pet rodents.
Read more:
- A year since lockdown - 10 times Wyre Forest showed true community spirit
- More animal magic from our Shuttle Camera Club
Founder Val Green said: "Unlicensed breeders selling through the internet aren't subject to any regulations, legislation or welfare checks, and they often provide no care advice to their customers.
"If you see an irresponsible online advert for any animal, there is guidance on how to report it on our website at helpanimals.co.uk/campaigns."
The One Voice for Animals UK website also guides members of the public with other simple things they can do to help create a better life for our pet rabbits and rodents, including petitions to sign, template letters to send to local pet shops about minimum hutch sizes and guidance on what to consider before getting a rabbit, including the cost which the RSPCA calculates to be £16,000.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here