A Northumberland branch of the RSPCA is currently caring for more than four times the usual number of pet rabbits as people struggle to care for their lockdown pets.
The West Northumberland branch of the charity, based in Hexham, usually has around a dozen rabbits in its care - but it currently has 53.
The animals have been found running loose, abandoned with a litter of babies in lay-bys, and left in hutches that are too small to accommodate their needs.
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The branch's trustee, Jan Ormiston, said rabbit ownership had exploded during lockdown.
She said: "Rabbit ownership went up 200 per cent in lockdown, because people thought it was a good starter pet for children - and they're not.
"They're quite complex creatures and they take some looking after. To neuter, microchip and vaccinate a rabbit costs about £150.
"They breed quickly too - we neuter all our rabbits, but we had a group come that had been left to just run wild, and on the day they were due to be neutered one of them gave birth to four more.
West Northumberland is the only branch in Northumberland to take rabbits, and some have even had to be turned away and sent to branches elsewhere - as there is simply no more room.
A number of the rabbits are currently up for adoption on the RSPCA's website - some as single rabbits, others in bonded pairs.
The RSPCA say rabbits need to be kept with at least one other friendly rabbit, and the process of introducing them together can take up to six weeks.
Jan added: "We've got every hutch, cage, and run absolutely full. Staff at the kennels have spent a huge amount of time bonding them."
Many of the RSPCA’s centres have seen rabbits coming into their care that have been unneutered or mis-sexed and had an unexpected litter. Whilst baby rabbits may be cute, they are costly and time consuming to look after.
Anyone who has adopted or bought a rabbit and is now struggling is encouraged to reach out for help.
The Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits is a collaborative effort between the RSPCA and other animal welfare and veterinary organisations, pet industry bodies and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare.
All of the rabbits at West Northumberland RSPCA branch, as well as the other animals currently in need of a good home, can be found here.
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