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Bunnies abandoned at former helpline
The Scottish SPCA has appealed for information after two rabbits were abandoned at the site of its former animal helpline in Edinburgh.
Ambulance Driver Emma Phillips rescued the rabbits yesterday morning (26 August) and believes they may have been left overnight.
"Someone from the business next door found the rabbits at the front of our old premises at Braehead Mains, on Queensferry Road, at around 9am," said Emma.
"It is very lucky they were discovered as they'd been left in a carrier with only a small amount of food and no water.
"If they hadn't been found it's unlikely they'd have survived more than a couple of days.
"A van was seen stopping outside the building the previous evening and it may be that whoever was responsible was in that van and had hoped we'd find the rabbits in the morning. However, it's quite clear that we are no longer at the premises.
"More importantly, it is unacceptable to abandon an animal in any circumstances, which is not only cruel but also an offence."
The rabbits are now being cared for at our Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno.
"One of the rabbits is male and the other is female and they are both young lop-eared Netherland dwarfs," said Emma.
"There's a good chance the female could be pregnant and it may be that's why someone dumped them.
"They're both in good condition and they'll be looking for new homes soon.
"Sadly, rabbits often turn out to be unwanted, usually because they have been given to children as gifts. They can be great fun at first but when the novelty wears off the parents are often left to clean up and care for them, which can be for a long time as rabbits can live for over eight years.
"Many end up being handed in to our centres, abandoned or are neglected.
"Rabbits often aren't ideal for children and families but they can make fantastic pets if their owners understand and are able to meet their needs."
Anyone who is prosecuted and found guilty of abandoning an animal can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.
We moved our animal helpline, which also serves as our head office, from Braehead Mains to expanded premises in Dunfermline last year in order to deal with year on year increases in calls.