Whitby Animal Sanctuary inundated with abandoned rabbits looking for new homes

The sanctuary has been called out to multiple rescues over the last few months involving groups of domestic rabbits being dumped in woods, the moors and alleys.

The rabbits have been cared for by the sanctuary, despite the challenges they have faced this year with DEFRA restrictions.

Some have even been rehomed by volunteers due to the lack of shelter space.

Of all the rabbits rescued, the sorriest case was over 10 rabbits dumped in one garden.

The females were all heavily pregnant, which meant even more rabbits needing rescue.

Alexandra Smith, manager at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS), said homes can be difficult to find as they need to ensure that housing is suitable and not everybody can provide Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund) minimum housing standards.

“It is important that housing allows rabbits to run and explore, do at least three hops in a row (which is a longer distance than you think!), can stretch out and stretch up without their ears touching the tops of their enclosures,” she said.

"Really, rabbits can use up as much space as a cat or a dog.”

RWAF set a minimum requirement for rabbit housing of 10x6ft of unbroken floor space with a height of at least 3ft, although groups or larger breeds will

require more space.

Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary had more than twice the number of rabbits this year than normal.

They think it is linked to the increase of pet sales during the pandemic and the current rising expenses in households which has resulted in a boom of pet abandonment.

Alexandra added: “We have spoken to multiple other rescue centres about this situation and we are not alone.

"Not just with domestic rabbits, but other pets too.

"There has been a significant rise in abandoned pets this last year.”

Get in touch with Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary directly if you are interested in adoption.

You can call them on 07342173724, email [email protected] or contact them via their Facebook page.

Alternatively, if unable to adopt, they are appealing for donations to help with the continued costs of hay, straw, food and vets bills.