76883-28AN ANIMAL sanctuary owner is facing an uphill task. He is trying to prevent bunnies breeding like rabbits.

John Warwick, the owner of the Swindon and District Animal Haven in Wootton Bassett, believes that pet owners should prevent their rabbits from breeding as there are already too many unwanted animals.

He is particularly concerned that people are allowing rabbits which are too young to breed, as the mothers are prone to abandoning their first litters.

In the last week a litter of five rabbits was brought to the sanctuary after their mother took no interest in feeding them.

The baby rabbits are nine days old and are now being hand-reared around the clock. One of the babies died on Friday.

Mr Warwick said: "A lady in Old Town had two young rabbits and then went on holiday leaving them in the care of a friend.

"The friend was very surprised to find five little baby rabbits, which would have died.

"She brought them to us. They need feeding every two hours at the beginning, and now every three hours. We're all absolutely exhausted here.

"And all because somebody put two rabbits together when they were too young."

Mr Warwick said rabbits should be at least a year old before breeding, because it's so common for a young mother to reject her young.

"So, if you want to breed rabbits, and I can't understand why you would want to, make sure you keep them separate until they are a year old, he said.

"Breeding rabbits is unnecessary, because there are already too many unwanted animals.

"But if you do want to breed them, make sure you do your homework and learn about them. And be sure that you will be able to re-home the young ones.

"Get rabbits spayed. They will live longer and they are far more friendly."

David Andrew