Rescue rabbit Ferdinand still awaits home after a year in RSPCA care

Meet Ferdinand – who has been in RSPCA care for nearly his whole life.

Sadly Ferdinand, a dwarf breed, hasn’t found his perfect match and has been at RSPCA Newport Animal Centre for more than a year – and as Rabbit Awareness Week 2022 draws to a close, he is still waiting.

He is currently the centre’s longest stay rabbit after being taken into RSPCA care by the inspectorate as his welfare needs were not being met.

Hayley Moorey, behaviour and welfare advisor, at the Hartridge Road centre, said: “It is so heartbreaking that Ferdinand has been with us over a year, which means he has spent most of his life with us as he is not even two years old yet.

“He is such a dashing bunny who is just crammed with character. We know he would make a great addition to a family and would particularly like to be rehomed with a spayed female rabbit he can play with.

“If you think Ferdinand is the rabbit for you, please get in touch or fill out an Online Application Form. We would just love to see him in his fur-ever home as soon as possible.”

The centre is also looking for homes for handsome rabbits Luigu and Theodore and both would love to be matched with a spayed female companion. They both enjoy hopping round, exploring and running around outside their pens and also like their fruit and veggies.

Other rabbits at the centre also include Scott, Ozzie, Travis and Tristan and you can find all their details on the charity’s Find A Pet website.

This week the RSPCA marks Rabbit Awareness Week (27 June – 1 July).

Hayley added that this Rabbit Awareness Week it is more important than ever to spread the message to people to do their research before taking a rabbit on.

She said: “These animals can live for a long time and can be costly. They need much more than just a hutch at the end of the garden – they need space, companionship and enrichment to live happy and healthy lives.

“If you’re confident you can provide a suitable home then please adopt, don’t shop. Reputable rescue centres neuter, vaccinate and microchip rabbits before they are rehomed and also provide owners with a wealth of information and ongoing support.”

This year’s theme for Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) is ‘Room for Rabbits’. It follows research that shows that 38% of vets believe rabbits’ environment is the most neglected welfare issue, with over a quarter of the UK’s rabbits being kept in inadequate housing conditions and almost half of them living alone.

The RSPCA believes typical rabbit hutches do not provide the amount of space needed to help meet the animals’ welfare requirements, and the charity encourages people to look at their guidelines on housing to ensure they can provide safe, stimulating and appropriately-sized accommodation.

Please contact RSPCA Newport Animal Centre if you are interested in rehoming a pet, or get in touch via an online application form.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.