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As part of National Rabbit Week, results have been released of a new survey by the RSPCA

323 Rabbits were surveyed between May and November 2007 and of those:

• 88% had no company and were kept in solitary confinement.
• 70% did not have access to a run and spent 24 hours a day locked in a hutch.
• 55% did not have an adequate hutch
• 50% did not have clean bedding
• 42% of hutches were in full sunlight without adequate shade
• 45% did not have any water available
• 30% did not have any food available

RSPCA regional manager, Jonathan Silk, said: "For the last two years we have discovered that the average amount of time that a rabbit was owned before being unwanted was as little as three months. Rabbits are becoming throwaway pets, bought for as little as £10, given very little quality of life and wanted for a very short period of time."

The survey also highlighted that:

• 57% of owners who bought their rabbit from a shop or garden centre said they received no advice or literature on how to care for it.
• 42% of rabbits were taken on as pets for children.
• 32% of rabbits were living in old, often unsuitable hutches, which came free from their friend or neighbour.
• 11% of rabbits were the result of unwanted or unplanned breeding.

Full Story at the Wiltshire Time website

I'm sure you have all read the shocking story in the news about the 31 dead horses and many neglected animals in Buckinghamshire, UK

You can read the full story at Horsemart or the BBC

Some of the rescues so far involved in rescuing some of these neglected horses are:

• Redwings
• The ILPH
• The Horse Trust
• RSPCA
• Blue Cross

I'm sure any donations, monetary or otherwise will be helpful to these organisations in this time of need.

Record Number of Pups Dumped over New Year

Amanda Robinson, of the UK’s largest pooch welfare charity Dogs Trust, said they took in more than 600 dogs last month.

She said: “Some centres had seven or eight puppies dumped outside – it’s very sad. It seems that we will be looking at a new record.”

Read the full story from The Sun

I have deleted the forum for now, as it wasn't actually being used. This may be relaunched in the new year with updated software.

For any Facebookers out there Petsr now has a Facebook page! Anyone registered on Facebook can become a fan of Petsr.

Petsr Facebook Page

I am pleased to announce the winners of our Burn's Pet Nutrition Competition.

The winners were chosen by selecting an animal currently available for adoption on Petsr. The rescue that the animal belonged to won a prize.

The animals chosen and the winners are as follows:

• One 15kg Bag of Dog Food: Gypsey who resides at Deerness Kennels Rescue Centre

• One 15kg Bag of Dog Food: Lauren who resides at Kamas Cave

• One 7.5kg Bag of Cat Food: Betsy who resides at RSPCA The Stubbington Ark Animal Shelter

• One 7.5kg Bag of Cat Food: Bobby who resides at RSPCA Woking

• One selection of Rabbit Food: Xabi who resides at holmes for rabbits

Congratulations to the winners!

We are looking to have more competitions on Petsr. It would be useful if we got prizes that would be worthwhile to the winners. If anyone has any requests or suggestions for prizes they think would be useful, please contact us.