Two rabbits were left abandoned inside a small cage outside a dogs’ home in freezing weather conditions, the RSPCA has revealed.
The bunnies were found completely by chance outside Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home in Harpurhey by a member of staff who lives nearby and happened to be walking their dog on New Year’s Day.
The RSPCA said they were left outside the sanctuary after it closed for the night – as temperatures were about to drop to as low as -3C.
READ MORE: Six-month-old baby dies following crash at car park
READ MORE: Police issue statement after The Vivienne’s death at 32
A sticker on the cage read ‘rabbit starter kit £100’. There was also a note, asking for the rabbits to be found a loving new home. The RSPCA believes the notes suggest they may have been unwanted Christmas presents.
The cage, said the RSPCA, had no cover and it was raining heavily at the time. The dogs’ home contacted the RSPCA and the rabbits were taken to the charity’s Manchester and Salford Branch.
RSPCA Inspector Deborah Beats said: “These poor rabbits would surely have been dead by morning, if they hadn’t been spotted by chance the same evening they were abandoned.
The two rabbits -Credit:RSPCA
“We recognise that the owner may have been struggling to look after the rabbits, but dumping them after hours suggests that they had given little thought to the animals’ welfare.
“The rain was torrential on New Year’s Day, and overnight temperatures were forecast to drop to well below freezing, but the rabbits had been left completely exposed with no cover on the cage and nothing to keep them warm. It’s a miracle that they were found after just a couple of hours.
“It must have been very frightening and stressful for these two bunnies to be abandoned like that, especially in such atrocious weather. We are so grateful to Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home, which immediately contacted us for help after the eagle-eyed, off-duty member of staff found the abandoned animals.
“We’d like to understand more about the background to these two rabbits being abandoned.”
The RSPCA is investigating -Credit:RSPCA
The black rabbit was found to have sustained a broken leg which hadn’t healed properly. Sadly, she was put to sleep to prevent further suffering. The remaining white male rabbit is now being looked after by foster carers and will be available for adoption in due course.
Insp Beats added: “Rabbits are amazing companions – but are also a big commitment; they can live for a long time and can be costly, particularly given this cost of living crisis.
“They need much more than just a hutch at the end of the garden – they need space, companionship – living with other rabbits – and enrichment to live happy and healthy lives. More information about caring for pet rabbits properly is available on the RSPCA website.”
Contact the RSPCA’s Appeals Line on 0300 123 0818, quoting reference 01418621.