The RSPCA say they have been made aware of a number of rabbits being abandoned in different locations across Milton Keynes.
The RSPCA are urging members of the public to contact them if they see any domestic rabbits being dumped in the city.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says domesticated rabbits are dangerously at risk in the wild and may be killed by dogs or foxes or at risk of catching myxi or RHD2.
Recently, at least 9 rabbits were reportedly dumped at the Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve in Bletchley on July 10th.
Sian Carter, a local swimmer with the Milton Keynes Bluetits spotted the rabbits being dumped and said they managed to catch 5 of the rabbits, who are currently with Animals In Need.
MKFM reached out to the RSPCA who said they recently received a report of four abandoned rabbits - two adults and two babies.
3 were unable to be caught.
The pets were seen being let out of a cage by two people on a footpath at the location and the charity says the number was later revised to three rabbits after they were unable to find them.
A search was made of the area by an RSPCA inspector, but no rabbits were found, which was also the case when the member of the public who had made the initial call carried out another search with some friends.
An RSPCA spokesperson told MKFM: “Releasing pet rabbits into the wild is a cruel and irresponsible thing to do as they cannot thrive and survive, are at risk from various predators and rely on humans to house and feed them.
“The RSPCA’s rescuers have dealt with many heartbreaking rabbit abandonments in recent months, heaping pressure on its animal centres, which are already packed with unwanted animals as the number of rabbits being rehomed has sadly dropped too.
“During 2022 there was a 48% increase in the intake of rabbits, including those that had been abandoned, to the charity’s branches and animal centres compared to 2021, with over 3,000 unwanted rabbits arriving. While, up to the end of May this year, RSPCA animal centres have taken in 307 rabbits and 378 have arrived at its branches.”
