The RSPCA is backing a breeding amnesty aimed at tackling the surge in rabbits being abandoned while rescue centres are at bursting point.
The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F) is calling for breeders to suspend their activities temporarily in order to reduce the numbers of unwanted rabbits left needing accommodation at rescues and animal centres, like those run by the RSPCA and its branches.
Thousands of pet rabbits 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.
As well as demanding the breeding and sale of all pet rabbits ceases while the issue is resolved, the RWA&F has launched a petition calling for a change in legislation to ensure rabbit breeders require the same licensing as dog breeders in a bid to improve rabbit welfare.
Presently, the breeding of pet rabbits is unregulated in both England and Wales - but the UK Government and Welsh Government have the power to act.
Last year the RSPCA witnessed an increase of 48 per cent in the numbers of rabbits arriving at its animal centres compared to 2021.
In all 1,090 rabbits were taken into the care of centres, while it is estimated that the charity’s branches will have dealt with around two-and-a-half times that number alone during 2022.
Sadly, while the intake of rabbits has surged, rehoming rates have fallen as the cost of living crisis bites.
Rabbits — many of whom are rescued from poor welfare conditions — find themselves staying on average 132 days at RSPCA centres.
There was a 42 per cent fall in the numbers of bunnies finding new homes last year from RSPCA centres compared to before the pandemic in 2019.
Dr Jane Tyson, rabbit welfare expert at the RSPCA, said:
“The number of rabbits entering the RSPCA in need has surged since the pandemic, possibly because people could no longer care for their pets as life returned to normal, but also as a result of the cost-of-living crisis too.
“We are pleased to support the RWA&F breeding amnesty campaign and would urge anyone thinking of getting rabbits to do plenty of research first.
"Please consider adopting from one of our many centres across England and Wales rather than buying from a pet shop or online.”
There is no licensing of rabbit breeders in England and the RWA&F says anyone can start breeding and selling offspring without adequate checks.
That has meant that inexperienced pet owners often are left with multiple litters they can’t look after.
A petition is calling for a change in legislation so breeders will need the same licensing as dog breeders to ensure rabbits are afforded similar protections - the petition has already received over 41,000 signatures.
The petition can be signed here.
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