A RABBIT has been found abandoned in a small cage near a service station in Hamilton.
The Scottish SPCA were alerted to the incident at around 1pm on Sunday, November 13 after the female rabbit was discovered by a member of the public.
The black lionhead-type rabbit, who is not microchipped, was found with some hay and sweet potato in a cage with a clear plastic top and blue base.
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Thankfully, the rabbit is unharmed and is currently being cared for at a rescue and rehoming centre.
It comes after the calls to the SSPCA's helping from people looking to give up pet rabbits increased by 95% from 185 in 2021 to 360 year to date in 2022.
Anyone who recognises the rabbit is asked to contact the SSPCA on 03000 999 999.
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John Chisholm, Scottish SPCA chief inspector, said: "The rabbit is a female, black lionhead-type rabbit.
"Unfortunately, she is not microchipped.
"She had been left in a small, indoor-type cage with a clear plastic top part and a blue base with some hay and sweet potato.
"The door to the cage had been left open but thankfully the rabbit had not yet ventured out and the passer-by who found her was able to secure it until we could attend.
"This rabbit is incredibly lucky that she was found.
"Although there are wild rabbits living in Scotland, this rabbit is a domesticated animal and would not have survived the elements and predators in the wild.
"We appreciate that the person who left the rabbit may have intended for the animal to be found but this is not the right way to give up an animal if you can no longer care for them
"Thankfully, she is unharmed and is now at one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres where she is receiving the care she needs.
"If anyone recognises this rabbit, we would ask that they contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999."
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