That is the average experience for a rabbit in the South West, according to the findings of a new RSPCA survey.
32% of rabbits were living in old hutches, which they were given free from a friend/neighbour who had previously had rabbits.
In a bid to improve the living conditions for rabbits throughout the South West, the RSPCA is offering a limited number of brand new and suitably large rabbit hutches to existing rabbits owners who would not otherwise be able to afford them.
The hutches usually cost around £100 but will be available to successful applicants from the region for a donation of around £25, from their local RSPCA Animal Centre.
RSPCA regional manager Jonathan Silk said: "As a charity, we are not able to provide subsidised hutches for everyone that wants one, but we have purchased a limited number of hutches, which we can make available on a case by case basis according to need.
"We are asking the people for a donation of £25 towards the cost of each hutch, to demonstrate they are committed towards caring for the animal, but if there are people who really cannot afford that amount, they should apply anyway, and we may still be able to help them."
The hutches are only available for existing rabbits owners, and people wishing to apply for a hutch with a view to getting a rabbit to put in it will not be eligible.
The RSPCA has always known that there is a major problem with the way that some rabbits are bought and kept and this survey has highlighted how many are being kept in unsuitable accommodation.
Anyone wishing to be considered for a subsidised rabbit hutch should call RSPCA regional office manager Julia Woodman on 0870 7538107 or email jwoodman@rspca.org.uk
The closing date for applications is August 1.
4:02pm Monday 4th June 2007
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: ggnore, my house on 6:20pm Mon 4 Jun 07
LOL. These rabbits keep the RSPASTIC in jobs!!!!1!
LOL. These rabbits keep the RSPASTIC in jobs!!!!1!
Posted by: dave, Trowbridge on 8:15am Tue 5 Jun 07
Tell me you're joking.
You can't be [italic]that[/italic] stupid?
Tell me you're joking.
You can't be
that stupid?
Posted by: Pet Lover, Trowbridge on 2:26pm Tue 5 Jun 07
Poor little creatures. Something must be done to stop all animals suffering, what I'm not sure. Perhaps petshops and breeders should be made to do follow up check ups on animals that they sold to people, maybe this would help. It is so wrong that people treat animals badly and just get away with it, the laws must be improved to ensure that animals are looked after in the correct manner.
Poor little creatures. Something must be done to stop all animals suffering, what I'm not sure. Perhaps petshops and breeders should be made to do follow up check ups on animals that they sold to people, maybe this would help. It is so wrong that people treat animals badly and just get away with it, the laws must be improved to ensure that animals are looked after in the correct manner.
Posted by: Emma, Surrey on 11:32pm Wed 6 Jun 07
Its good to see that something is being done about it at last. Even better that people are taking notice.
Emma
http://www.goldenbun
nies.org.uk
Its good to see that something is being done about it at last. Even better that people are taking notice.
Emma
http://www.goldenbun
nies.org.uk
Posted by: Danyel Enderle, Sugarland TX on 9:31pm Sun 10 Jun 07
Thank goodness for kind hearted people. I feel so sorry for all those poor little sweet bunnies. I wish people would realize how cruel they are being to them. Most would not treat a dog or cat this way... why a bunny? I hope the RSPCA is able to help educate others about all this. Three bunny cheers for them.
Thank goodness for kind hearted people. I feel so sorry for all those poor little sweet bunnies. I wish people would realize how cruel they are being to them. Most would not treat a dog or cat this way... why a bunny? I hope the RSPCA is able to help educate others about all this. Three bunny cheers for them.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
