The RSPCA is urging animal lovers to think carefully before buying a pet for children, after revealing they are rescuing 340 of the creatures a month.
The organisation says there is no such thing as a ‘starter pet’ as hundreds of these misunderstood creatures are coming into its care.
Last year 67 animals were rescued in Wiltshire, and 160 incidents of cruelty, neglect or abandonment were reported to the RSPCA. Across England and Wales 4,081 rabbits and other small furries were saved by the charity.
Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, ferrets, chinchillas, hamsters are often seen as an easy, first pet for children, however despite their size these animals can have complex needs.
“We see thousands of small furries coming into our care every year and often this is as a result of owners being unable to cope with caring for these animals who they thought would be easy to look after,” Dr Jane Tyson, RSPCA’s rabbit and rodent welfare expert, explained.
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