Every year as the weather warms and Easter arrives some parents think of rabbits as an a pet for their child.
The GSPCA this Easter want to send the message that a rabbit isn't just for Easter!!!
We have seen incredible numbers of rabbits needing help in recent years with more rabbits needing new homes than dogs or cats.
Many rabbits are bought on impulse and are housed in small hutches at the end of the garden with no exercise and the child often forgets the poor pet that is left for the parents to care for.
Most cases of cruelty and neglect towards rabbits are out of ignorance, people often don't realise they are doing anything wrong because they haven’t done enough research into rabbit care before choosing to buy a pet rabbit.
There are approximately 1.7 million rabbits kept as pets across the UK with over 35,000 in rescue Shelters every year.
With the life span of a rabbit on average 7-8 years, the need for fresh food and a balanced diet, annual vaccinations, regular grooming, plenty of exercise, insurance, feed bowls and utensils, toys, hay, accommodation, microchipping, neutering and other vet fees it can cost in excess of £1000 a year for your first rabbit although if you have more than one costs are shared so it would likely be £1500 for two rabbits housed together.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Easter is fast approaching and people may think a rabbit is a good idea for an Easter gift, but the GSPCA want to remind islanders that although they are wonderful little animals they really need a lot of care and attention.”
“We have been inundated with rabbits over the last year from strays to unwanted bunnies and we are urging anyone thinking of getting a rabbit to ensure that everyone in the household are serious and realise that they can live for seven years or more and cost an average £90+ a month to care for.”
“A rabbit isn't just for Easter but if people are serious about adopting one then we have many rescue rabbits at the Shelter looking for new homes and we home visit each of these to ensure every rabbit finds a good and loving home.”
“We opened a purpose build rabbit area at the GSPCA ahead of our BIG BUILD as it is always full to capacity with over 30 rabbits often in our care at any time.”
“It is so important that rabbits get the space and exercise they need and lots of environmental enrichment as well as a varied balanced diet.”
If you are serious about adopting a rabbit or other small animal you can do so by contacting the Shelter on 01481 257261, check out the website http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/rabbits or pop up to the Shelter to find out more.
The smallies team who care for the bunnies at the GSPCA recently shared this message ‘This week we want to talk about why you should never feed your rabbits muesli style food, and instead they should be given nuggets/pellets.
Muesli can often cause selective feeding in rabbits, where they’ll generally just pick out the best bits to eat and leave the rest, which results in them not getting the nutrition they need. A two year study by linked muesli style foods to life-threatening dental and digestive issues in rabbits.
https://vet.ed.ac.uk/news-events/archive/2013/rabbit-muesli
Nuggets are a much better alternative to muesli as they all look the same so they can’t pick and choose, ensuring your rabbits have a balanced diet. They don’t look at ‘interesting’ as muesli but are the healthier option, and all of our bunnies love their daily portion of nuggets!
Nuggets should still only make up a small portion of your rabbits whole diet, with the majority being fresh hay.’
Steve continued “We are always looking for those wishing to give animals a loving home and to register your interest you can fill in an adoption online form https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=23 .”
“There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST event is our Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday on the 18th May and for details check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/animal-welfare-sea-front-sunday .“
“We have guided tours this weekend and to book you place check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-half-term-februarymarch-2025-guided-tours-next-weekend-book-now-see-exciting-plans-animal and we have the GSPCA Cupcake Week in May https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-cupcake-week .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To make a donation or support our BIGGEST BUILD Appeal please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
To see some of those looking for homes please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/dogs .
To complete an online adoption form please go to https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=23
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