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.
