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Jul 01, 2023

Baby bunny rabbits found dumped by rubbish bins and squashed inside cardboard boxes in Southend

The boxes the rabbits were left in were previously used to store burger buns and drinks, but there was no note found attached For daily updates and all the latest breaking news sent straight to your

The boxes the rabbits were left in were previously used to store burger buns and drinks, but there was no note found attached

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Baby bunny rabbits are among 16 rabbits that were found dumped near rubbish bins in Essex last month. The rabbits, of various breeds, were found squashed inside cardboard boxes and then left in an alleyway at Hamstel Road in the Garon Park area of Southend.

The boxes the rabbits were left in were previously used to store burger buns and drinks, but there was no note found attached. They were spotted by a member of the public who took them to a local vets on Wednesday, July 19.

One of the babies, a two-week-old, is now being hand-reared by a member of staff at a local rescue centre, while some of the other rabbits are being cared for at South Essex Wildlife Hospital. Among the breeds are Netherland Dwarf and lop-eared rabbits, while four of the bunnies are babies. While most of the rabbits were in a healthy condition, two were unable to stand when they were found, but have since recovered.

RSPCA inspector Jenny Wildman, who is investigating the abandonment, said: “Fortunately, these poor rabbits appear to have been found quite quickly it seems, as there were no droppings in the box, which is just as well as four are babies.

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“They do stand out as they are all different breeds, which is unusual and that might trigger someone’s memory. Someone might know of an owner who had lots of different rabbits.

“We are appealing for anyone who has information on how they were left in this way to contact us. It may be that these rabbits were with breeders and sadly these are the ones they couldn’t sell.”

“It is horrible to think they were found in a box next to some bins, as there was nothing to distinguish them from any other rubbish that had been left out.”

The inspector added: “Rabbit abandonments are a big problem for us at the moment and it is not being helped by the cost of living. It is possible that the owner of these rabbits did try and call up local rescue centres, but found there were no places. But it is no excuse to leave such vulnerable animals, including babies, in such a spot.

“Fortunately, South Essex Wildlife Hospital is going to try and rehome these bunnies for us. The youngest baby is being hand reared at another rescue by a staff member who is already hand rearing three other babies. This incident really highlights why we need to Cancel out Cruelty to animals and to help us to rescue more unwanted pets like these poor rabbits.”

Anyone with any information as to how these rabbits were left in Southend is asked to ring the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018.