The SSPCA is appealing for information after a rabbit was found abandoned in a wooded area near to the Hamilton service station.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted to the incident at around 1pm on November 13 after a member of the public discovered the female rabbit in a small cage on the ground.
This comes as the charity reports that calls to their helpline from people looking to give up pet rabbits has increased by 95 per cent from 185 in 2021 to 360 year to date in 2022.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector, John Chisholm, said, “The rabbit is a female, black lionhead-type rabbit. Unfortunately, she is not microchipped.
“She had been left in a small, indoor-type cage with a clear plastic top part and a blue base with some hay and sweet potato.
“The door to the cage had been left open but thankfully the rabbit had not yet ventured out and the passer-by who found her was able to secure it until we could attend.
“This rabbit is incredibly lucky that she was found. Although there are wild rabbits living in Scotland, this rabbit is a domesticated animal and would not have survived the elements and predators in the wild.
“We appreciate that the person who left the rabbit may have intended for the animal to be found but this is not the right way to give up an animal if you can no longer care for them.
“Thankfully, she is unharmed and is now at one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres where she is receiving the care she needs.
“If anyone recognises this rabbit, we would ask that they contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
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