Hop along to help

Sharon Williamson with one rabbit who has had its matted fur cut back to grow healthy again. 122251 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By BRIDGET COOK

A DEVON Meadows animal shelter has urged people to hop on in and help give its rescued rabbits a loving forever home.
Australian Animal Rescue is currently inundated with rabbits over all ages that have been rescued or surrendered.
Sharon Williamson, who runs the organisation, said the animal shelter currently had almost 30 rabbits and desperately needed to find new homes for some of them.
“We take on the rabbits from the Lost Dogs’ Home in Cranbourne,” she said.
“We currently have more than 20 and it’s hard to afford to feed and house them all.
“If you are willing to take one on and give it a loving, caring forever home then come and have a look.
“All we are asking is for a donation towards the charity which would go towards feeding the new rabbits we get in at least fortnightly.”
Ms Williamson urged people to be 100 per cent sure they wanted to take on the responsibility of a rabbit as a pet before purchasing them to avoid so many being surrendered or abandoned.
“If you’re not willing to keep an adult rabbit, don’t buy a baby one just because they look cute,” she said.
“They do take quite a bit of maintenance and require feeding every day.
“Take some reasonability if you’re going to purchase a rabbit, as I believe that’s not happening.”
Ms Williamson said the animal shelter was also seeking donations of rabbit cages, in good condition, and food so it can cover the costs of looking after all the rabbits.
“Someone might be able to donate rabbit food, or even a bag of carrots a week, or have a good rabbit cage lying around,” she said.
“It would be a great help if we can get some donations.”
Anyone who wishes to make a donation or adopt one of the rabbits can email sharon@australiananimalrescue.org.au or phone 0430 883 083.