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Caged and boxed rabbits rescued from squalor at Perth home

The West Australian
VideoAnimal advocates have spent two days removing more than 100 rabbits from horrific conditions at a Perth home after the couple that owned them became overwhelmed by a population explosion.

Animal advocates have spent two days removing more than 100 rabbits from horrific conditions at a Perth home after the couple that owned them became overwhelmed by a population explosion.

The RSPCA said the animals, many of them babies, had been stacked in cages, boxes, bird cages and laundry baskets at the northern suburbs property.

Their owners, unable to cater to the sheer number of rabbits, agreed to surrender them to the animal welfare group, which could tend to their urgent medical needs.

Animal advocates have spent two days removing more than 100 rabbits from squalid conditions at a Perth home.
Camera IconAnimal advocates have spent two days removing more than 100 rabbits from squalid conditions at a Perth home. Credit: RSPCA

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Many were living in stacked boxes.
Camera IconMany were living in stacked boxes. Credit: RSPCA

Working with SAFE Perth, Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue and Saving Thumpers, all were relocated to improved living conditions, with 69 currently at the RPSCA’s Malaga Animal Care Centre.

Incredibly, the couple had started with four rabbits just two years ago.

While the fluffy pets are now under better care, RSPCA WA animal and enforcement operations manager Hannah Dreaver said they were now in need of funding to handle the $30,000 cost of properly looking after them over the coming months.

"It’s going to cost a lot of money in a very short space of time," she said.

"They’re in bigger cages with clean straw and plenty of good food and fresh water.

“Now we start the task of having each one vet checked for issues such as ringworm, medicating those who need it and of course, sterilising, microchipping, vaccinating and housing every single one.

All were relocated to improved living conditions, with an incredible 69 currently at the RPSCA’s Malaga Animal Care Centre.
Camera IconAll were relocated to improved living conditions, with an incredible 69 currently at the RPSCA’s Malaga Animal Care Centre. Credit: RSPCA
The RSPCA is now in need of donations to handle the $30,000 cost of properly looking after them over the coming months.
Camera IconThe RSPCA is now in need of donations to handle the $30,000 cost of properly looking after them over the coming months. Credit: RSPCA

"Everything about that costs and it’s likely many of the rabbits are pregnant so we’ll have even more mouths to feed and medical procedures to carry out.

"All in all we estimate the 69 rabbits will be with us for an average of three months and total costs for staffing and care will be around $30,000."

The RSPCA was tipped off after a member of the public went to the home to buy a rabbit they’d come across in an ad.

"This is a timely warning for rabbit owners to get their pets sterilised," Ms Dreaver said.

"A lot of people see rabbits as easy care, set and forget pets. They’re not, they need care and attention.”

To donate to the effort of caring for the rabbits visit the RSPCA.

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