The RSPCA is struggling to seek out houses for an inflow of rabbits and rodents, amid an ideal storm created by uninformed house owners of pandemic pets letting them breed uncontrolled – and the cost of residing disaster.
Last yr there was an enormous 48% rise within the numbers of rabbits taken in by the charity, with 1,090 arriving at animal centres, and 1,942 rescued by the charity. This yr – to the tip of July – a further 553 rabbits arrived at its centres, whereas 153 wild rabbits had been introduced in to its 4 wildlife centres.
Many RSPCA centres are actually full to capability and can’t accommodate any extra rabbits, the charity says. On high of this, they’re now struggling to seek out individuals who can take one in – with the numbers of rabbits efficiently rehomed falling 23% between 2019 and 2022.
It’s not simply rabbits both, with the numbers of fashionable pet rodents – together with guinea pigs, rats, and mice – both surrendered to animal centres or “cruelly deserted” additionally swelling. Almost as many guinea pigs have been handed in within the yr to August as all of final yr, which marked a 77% rise on the earlier yr.
For a number of the extra divisive pets, the spike was much more stark. Last yr noticed the variety of home rats coming by way of the RSPCA’s doorways improve 193% – 191% for mice – from 2021.
For all species, the issue was all-too-often individuals shopping for reverse intercourse pairs, typically unknowingly, and a lack of knowledge as to simply how rapidly they’ll breed.
Dr Jane Tyson, the RSPCA’s small animals welfare knowledgeable, stated all the fashionable pets can reproduce at a really young age, and many individuals don’t realise pets like rabbits can get pregnant once more inside hours of giving delivery.
“Unsuspecting house owners can rapidly discover themselves turning into overwhelmed with animals,” she stated. “That is why it is very important accurately intercourse rabbits and get them neutered at an acceptable age.”
She urged anybody not sure of the intercourse of their rabbits to speak to their vet, and focus on neutering with them too.
“Our centres are full with unwanted rabbits as we have had a significant increase in our intake over the last year or two. For anyone who’s thinking about bringing rabbits into their lives, or are looking for a friend for their own rabbit, we’d encourage them to get in touch with their local RSPCA rescue centre and see if they can offer a loving home to some of our rabbits.”
Dr Tyson stated that pet possession rose considerably throughout the pandemic, however a mix of individuals not realising animals like guinea pigs actually had complex needs, and pet house owners being exhausting hit by the cost of residing disaster, had been taking a toll on animal welfare.
The RSPCA says it’s seeing the affect on the frontline – with experiences of deserted animals hovering as house owners resort to determined measures.
The charity’s Animal Kindness Index discovered {that a} rising variety of persons are discovering preserving pets dearer, and are apprehensive concerning the prices of feeding their animals – with 81% of pet house owners saying it’s dearer to take care of their pets.
To assist assist pet house owners, the charity has dedicated £1.5million of additional funding to disaster measures, launching a brand new Cost of Living Hub, a devoted phone helpline, and serving to provide pet meals banks.
The RSPCA can be taking part in Guinea Pig Awareness Week, which runs from 25 to 29 September. This yr’s focus is ‘rescue and rehome’ and the charity has created free digital info packs for individuals contemplating adopting the loveable rodents.
