Bunnies in need of good home after near-death
Tragedy struck the rabbit siblings just before Easter when a man working in a field with a mechanical digger outside Cork City accidentally destroyed their burrow, and killed their mother.
The four adorable bundles of fluff, who were about two-weeks-old, were found huddled together in the ground and rescued.
They were far too young to survive on their own and they were brought to Abbeyville Veterinary Practice in Carrigaline where they were about to be put to sleep.
But veterinary surgeon Suzanne Kelly said she and her staff just couldn’t do it.
“When they came in to us, they’d fit in the palm of your hand. There were absolutely tiny,” she said.
“We just hadn’t the heart to put them to sleep. It was Easter time and they were healthy. It was hard to put down a healthy baby bunny at Easter time.”
Veterinary nurse Edel O’Mahony volunteered to look after the bunnies and took them home.
She has spent the last four weeks hand-rearing them with a specially prepared milk formula.
They are now fighting fit, and ready to be adopted and Ms Kelly said they are free to a good home.
“But it needs to be a good home — someone with rabbit experience,” she said.
“They have been well-handled over the last few weeks but they are wild animals.
“They are not going to be as friendly as a domestic rabbit but they can be picked up. They are very intelligent animals and would make a lovely pet.”
And she warned that there will be lots of work involved.
They need the right grass or hay-based diet and a strong outdoor hutch to keep them safe from predators such as cats or foxes.
A well-cared-for rabbit can live to about 10 or 12 years old.
* If anyone would like to offer the bunnies a new home, you can contact Edel at Abbeyville on 021-4317019 or log on to Abbeyville Veterinary Hospital’s Facebook page.
