Calls are being made for a breeding amnesty aimed at tackling the surge of rabbits being abandoned. Rescue centres say they are at 'bursting point' with increasing numbers of unwanted bunnies.
Thousands have been abandoned as a result of lockdown breeding and the cost of living crisis, which has impacted on owners who cannot afford to keep their pets. And the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F) is calling for breeders to suspend their activities temporarily.
The RSPCA is backing the calls for the breeding amnesty as well as Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, Wood Green Pets Charity and classified advertising website Preloved, which plan to stop users of its website placing new rabbit sales listings between March 20 and April 9. Last year the RSPCA saw an increase of almost 50pc in the numbers of rabbits arriving at its animal centres compared to 2021.
Sadly, while the intake of rabbits has surged, rehoming rates have fallen as the cost of living crisis bites. Dr Jane Tyson, rabbit welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: "As more are coming into our care, our centres are at capacity, and we are utilising private boarding which is costly to us as a charity.
"At the same time, we are seeing rehoming rates slowing, meaning rabbits are staying with us for longer than ever before. We are pleased to support the RWA&F breeding amnesty campaign and would urge anyone thinking of getting rabbits to do plenty of research first and consider adopting from one of our many centres across England and Wales rather than buying from a pet shop or online.”
RWA&F is also calling for a change in legislation to ensure rabbit breeders require the same licensing as dog breeders. Presently, the breeding of pet rabbits is unregulated in both England and Wales.
The petition has already received over 41,000 signatures. RSPCA Kent-North West Branch rehomed 50 rabbits last year and regularly takes in bunnies that have been abandoned.
Branch manager, Becky Blackmore, says the breeding industry needs to come under closer scrutiny. “Some rabbits are living in squalid conditions and it is too tempting for people to make a bit of money from selling them," she said.
"Backyard breeding is too easy and has been boosted by the massive demand for rabbits during lockdowns." To sign the RWA&F’s petition click here.
