A lonely rescue rabbit is still looking for his soul-mate after spending over 200 days at an RSPCA centre - with just a single rehoming enquiry. 

Casanova, a one-year-old False Netherland Dwarf, came into The Holdings just before Valentine’s Day, which led to staff naming him after the fabled romantic.

The Kempsey rescue and rehoming centre also took in his bunny friend Valentino, but the two didn’t see eye to eye and the decision was made to rehome them separately with female friends. 

Valentino was quickly adopted, but staff are baffled and surprised as to why Casanova has received next to no interest during his seven-month stay. Described as every bit as adventurous as his namesake, with a fun and entertaining personality that puts a smile on the face of everyone who looks after him, his favourite pastime is charging around his enclosure and playing with his treat ball. He adores hay, but is said to turn his nose up at greens!

Claire Wood, who volunteers at the centre which is run by the RSPCA’s Worcester and Mid Worcestershire branch, said: “We’ve only had one person enquire about adopting Casanova and it’s so sad to see him waiting so long while so many other rabbits have come and gone.” 

“He may be small but his character is most definitely larger than life. He previously lived as an indoor rabbit and was free roaming, so a similar set up in a new home would be the ideal option for him, although he could also live outside and we’d encourage people to have a look at our rabbit housing requirements. 

“He’s happy to be stroked but he mainly enjoys having a good run around and exploring. He’s a perfect little rabbit who is just longing to leave rescue and start a new life with a female friend and we’d urge anyone who thinks they might be in a position to help to fill in an application form.”   

Casanova is one of 255 unwanted, abandoned and neglected animals taken in by The Holdings so far this year, an increase of 20 per cent compared to the same period last year. In August, the centre saw 61 unwanted animals come through its doors - including three abandoned rabbits and nine cats on one day alone - and spent over £7,500 on veterinary care.

The cost of living is thought to be behind the increase, with a new Animal Kindness Index revealing that pet owners are hugely concerned about rising prices and how this will impact on their ability to care for their animals. Nationally, the RSPCA is also seeing a rise in some animals coming into its care.

The charity took in 49% more rabbits, 14% more cats and 3% more dogs in the first five month of 2022 compared to the same period last year and has launched a campaign, Cancel out Cruelty, to raise funds to support its rescue and rehabilitation work. The animal welfare charity believes the increase in rabbits in particular could also be down to families buying them as ‘starter’ pets during the pandemic and not realising they have very complex needs, even just the basics such as how young and how quickly they can breed.