An RSPCA inspector was given the run-around by a bunch of baby bunnies hopping loose in Harlow Town Park.

The mother, thought to be a lionhead-type, and her six kits were spotted running loose at a park, off Park Lane, in Harlow on Monday afternoon (16 January).

Now the charity is looking for homes for the rabbits, named Buttons, Cadbury, Caramel, Galaxy, Mars, Smartie and Snickers after some of the nation’s favourite Easter treats.

RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Joe White said: “We were called by a woman who had seen a number of domestic rabbits running around a park near her home and was concerned they’d been abandoned.

“Thankfully they managed to confine two in a box but was very worried for the others as lots of dogs are walked in the area and they’d been chasing the rabbits.

“I went along and managed to round-up seven in total, a mother and her six kits.

“Luckily, they’re all in pretty good condition and didn’t have any injuries so, unless someone comes forward to claim them, they’ll be rehomed fairly quickly.”

The rabbits are being cared for by staff and volunteers at the South Essex Wildlife Hospital.

“The bunnies have been given Easter egg chocolate nicknames by staff and we’re hoping they’ll make special Easter bunnies for families and all have loving new homes in time for the holiday weekend in April,” ACO White added.

“We’d advise anyone who is thinking of adopting a rabbit to do lots of research before picking up their new pet, and making sure they can provide for that animal for the rest of its life.

“Sadly, we see far too many animals every year who are cast aside because their owners can no longer care for them properly.”

Every year the RSPCA is called out to rescue hundreds of animals across England and Wales after their owners abandon them and in many cases leave them for dead. In 2015, the charity rescued 512 rabbits who had been dumped.

To assist our inspectors in rescuing abandoned animals and our hospitals in treating them please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/abandonment

If you would like to give on of these rabbits a new home, please contact South Essex Wildlife Hospital by emailing [email protected] or visiting the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sewhrehoming/.

For more information about how to care for rabbits, visit the RSPCA website: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits.

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