Bristol Animal Rescue Centre is on the look-out for people to adopt rabbits after a stark rise in the number being handed in or discovered abandoned. It mirrors a national picture where, due to the cost-of-living and out-of-control breeding, the RSPCA has reported a huge influx in unwanted rabbits.
At Bristol ARC, there has been a 33% increase in rabbits handed this year compared to 2021 - and a 280% rise in those brought in having been found straying. It means there are plenty at the centre currently looking for new, caring homes.
Rabbits can live for eight to 12 years and require a healthy diet and social company. Here are nine we have selected, to see more visit www.bristolarc.org.uk/
1. Sugar
Sugar is a real sweet treat, and hopes to be rehomed with a neutered, male rabbit to be gradually bonded with. She loves to explore, be outside in the fresh air and indulge in some yummy treats! Sugar would love to have access to an outside run, so that she can gander about in the fresh air.
2. Primrose
Primrose is an active young female rabbit looking for a home with an existing neutered rabbit to be bonded with. Primrose will need a home with experience bonding rabbits. She came into us after being dumped on a main road in a box with three other rabbits. After a while, all of the rabbits had to be separated and we haven't been able to find a compatible match for Primrose since. Primrose requires lots of space and things to do in her new home. She is toilet trained - although she may need to get used to this again once she has been adopted. Primrose has become more and more inquisitive with human interaction and will approach her carers for some attention readily. She is not keen on being picked up, but she will tolerate it when needed. As Primrose has been with us for quite some time, she has become quite bored of the environment of rescue. She would really love to find her perfect home soon!
3. Pirate
Pirate is a really confident young rabbit, who loves attention and can be handled easily. He would benefit finding a home with a female rabbit of a similar age, and have plenty of space for them both to run around in. Pirate would make an excellent house rabbit because he loves the company of people, and is a fairly clean bunny.
4. Pebbles
Pebbles is a friendly, young male rabbit looking for a neutered female to be bonded with. Pebbles loves helping out his carers while they clean his enclosure, and always comes up to the door as soon as he hears anyone coming. We think Pebbles would really love another rabbit to make friends with, so he is looking for adopters who have plenty of space and time to bond him with a special lady friend!