I bought my first house rabbit from a hobby breeder for £20 and adopted my second rabbit a few years later. Rex, now 6, and Angus, 4, are the proverbial gift that keeps on giving. They both came from loving homes, but not all bunnies are so lucky.

🐰 Problem

Despite being the third most popular pet in the UK (1.5M), rabbits are the most misunderstood and neglected - with 37% receiving a complete lack of care (PDSA). Rabbits are often mistaken for cheap, low maintenance ‘starter pets’ for children. In reality, they’re complex, intelligent, affectionate, and mischievous creatures who need specialized care for their 15-year lifespan - a fact many owners realize too late.

We’re experiencing the worst rabbit welfare crisis. Animal rescues are overwhelmed with unwanted rabbits bought during lockdown. In 2022, the RSPCA reported a staggering 48% increase in rabbit surrenders. But many are abandoned. Ten rabbits were discarded in pet carriers during New Year’s Eve fireworks in Kent. Two were found in a plastic box by a dog walker in Wales. Three were left in a cardboard box on East London’s fox-ridden streets. The RSPCA rescued them all.

🐰 Working Towards a Solution

The RSPCA Kent North West branch, which hadn't taken in rabbits before 2022, pulled out all the stops as the crisis emerged. They invested £10,000 in top-notch rabbit accommodation and appointed rabbit experts. Their rehoming figures surprised even themselves. In 2022, they rehomed 37 rabbits, nearly doubling that number to 69 in 2023. By May of this year, they had already rehomed 42 rabbits. These bunnies are now safe with devoted owners who will never look at phone chargers the same way again. Faith? Restored.

But it hasn't been easy. Rabbits are adopted less than their dog or cat counterparts. Becky, branch manager, said: "Some rabbits have been in private boarding establishments for a year, others for many months. It has cost the RSPCA tens of thousands of pounds to keep rabbits in private boarding as they are being rehomed so slowly - it is an eye-watering cost."

Education is the key to preventing neglect and the branch's Animal Welfare Officer gives talks to schoolchildren about proper rabbit care. They help current owners to improve their rabbit accomodation so they can adopt another rabbit.

🐰 Challenge

The RSPCA Kent North West’s work is music to my remarkably average-sized ears. They’re advocating for the pet that I feel so passionate about. Please help me repay them.

On 22 June, I’ll chase the sun 210 miles (340km) across England on my bike. I’ll start at sunrise (4.30am, ouch) on the east coast and finish by sundown (9.30pm) on the west.

Donations will fuel the incredible work the RSPCA Kent North West does for these wonderful, hilarious, and chronically misunderstood, animals. As a thank you, I promise one hug with a Rex or Angus (pics 😍) of your choosing for every pound donated.

Thanks for reading. I wish you a bun-tastic day filled with leafy greens, bananas, and boundless binkies.

P.S - This ride is happening right before Rabbit Awareness Week. Follow my LinkedIn if you'd like to learn more about rabbits and culture.