Homes wanted for abandoned rabbits (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Homes wanted for abandoned rabbits

A RABBIT rescue charity is appealing to animal lovers to get in touch and help clear its ever-expanding waiting list.

Cotton Tails cares for around 40 bunnies needing new homes at its headquarters in Westbury, but has a further 100 queuing up to be admitted.

The charity, which takes in rabbits from as far afield as Bristol and Chippenham, is trying to raise its profile in Wiltshire to deal with the crisis.

Unless she can create room for new arrivals manager Mairwen Guard fears frustrated owners may resort to having their unwanted pets put down.

With Easter just around the corner she believes the problem is only likely to get worse as parents see bunnies as the ideal seasonal pet for their children.

She said: "The rabbits on the waiting list are from all over the place. We've got very little going out and we need to reverse this.

"We need to make people aware we are here. But we also need to make sure they are responsible owners and know how to look after the rabbits.

"People on the waiting list get so desperate and will start dumping their rabbits, but there's nothing I can do if we've got no space.

"People are not willing to come all the way from Bristol to adopt, but they will drop unwanted rabbits off with us. I know there will be people out there in Wiltshire who can help us out."

Cotton Tails has a wide range of different bunnies in stock and this was supplemented by the arrival of 11 babies last week. Mrs Guard said most of the rabbits they take in are given away after owners find them harder to handle than they imagined.

Despite their cute appeal she believes rabbits are not necessarily the ideal present.

She said: "We want people to think twice rather than rushing out to buy rabbits. They are not good pets for children and they are very expensive."

Animals cared for are neutered and vaccinated before being offered up for adoption. This is always done in pairs, unless the prospective owner already has one, as rabbits become miserable when left on their own.

Mrs Guard said: "The minimum donation we ask for is £25, which is very good value considering it costs £70 to £80 for neutering and £40 for the vaccinations. We are running at a bit of a loss at the moment, especially as we are not getting any rabbits going out."

Cotton Tails moved to Westbury from Bristol last August, but Mrs Guard has been caring for rabbits for 11 years.

She said: "I used to work in a bird rescue centre and one day the vets brought in a little baby rabbit. They said could I do anything with it.

"I looked in the local paper and was appalled at the number of unwanted rabbits advertised so I just started things from there."

To adopt a rabbit contact Cotton Tails on (01373) 864222.