CUTE, FURRY AND THROWN OUT
Streats, 11 Jul 2002

THEY'RE small, cute and fluffy. But their attraction didn't last long and rabbits are being given up in increasing numbers to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

The SPCA noticed this about 2 years ago. Of the 60 to 70 rabbits it takes in every month, 70 per cent are turned in by owners. The rest have been found, presumably abandoned.

This lop-eared rabbit given up to the SPCA recently was suffering from scabies.

Said SPCA executive officer Deirdre Moss: "There are so many pet shops selling them now. As they are small, people assume it'll be easy to take care of them."

Among the unwanted rabbits the SPCA has taken in are lop-eared rabbits which cos $400 and angoras which can cost $1000.

Many require medical attention, with most of them suffering from scabies - a skin condition due to neglect and unhygienic living conditions.