To ask you what I should do about this rabbit?

[dogsgowoof]

My friend has a pet rabbit which is supposed to belong to her 12 year old DD however she lost interest in it after about a week of getting it.

The rabbit lives at the bottom of their garden in a tiny hutch and I really mean tiny - it can't even be 3ft long and it only has a hutch, there's no run attached. There are also no toys or anything for the rabbit to chew on, all it has it's food bowl and water bowl. Sometimes there isn't any hay in the hutch and when there is there's probably only a handful at most.

I know for a fact that the poor rabbit is only taken out of it's hutch for a stroke and a run only about once a week. The rest of the time it's cooped up in it's tiny hutch. My friend has also bragged that she won't feed it, she makes her DD feed it as it's her rabbit but also admitted that her DD sometimes forgets to feed it or can't be bothered so when that happens the rabbit goes without food .

I don't know how often it is cleaned out but I was there on Saturday and the hutch was filthy. The poor bunny was just sitting there looking at me with it's sad eyes as if saying "help me" .

I know I have to do something but what? I've told my friend that he needs a bigger hutch, taken out for exercise every day, etc but she didn't listen. I've also rang the RSPCA three times now about it but they refuse to do anything as it sounded like the "rabbits needs are been met" .

Kidnap it?

Offer to take it on?

I had the same problem with my neighbour's hens at the previous house. I ended up looking after them. I lost my temper in the end and told them to hand them over to me as I had found someone who'd take them. They rehomed them themselves shortly afterwards.

I don't know what the answer is really. Just keep on at her I suppose. Could you download some info off the net for the daughter? Educate them?

The rabbit will become nervous as it is not being regularly handled / socialised. This will make it more likely to scrabble and scratch.
If the rabbit is regularly without food and clean water it's needs are not being met. If the hutch does not allow the rabbit to stretch out completely it's needs are not being met. I'd get back to the RSPCA, a warden talking through the basics might give them a jolt.
Could you get the owner the rspca guide to keeping a rabbit? They are easy to read (age 12 absolutely fine) and have clear instructions on daily tasks.
A rabbit without straw/ chippings/ grass will also get 'hutch burn' from resting on such an unforgiving surface all the time.

Do your local pets at home have a rehoming center?

lie to the RSPCA get them to send out a warden to talk to them about the rabbits needs

i dont normally encourage people to lie however this is for a good cause?

Good on you for trying to help, OP - that poor bunny

Could you take the rabbit on, either permanently or temporarily? If temp, then just until you can find someone suitably responsible to take it on?

Poor animal must be so miserable - hope you find some way to help it! x

casserole it. Put it out of its misery.

two bunny stews eaten here this summer after repeated warning shots to defend the veg. Rabbits that had a great life running free and then 'bang' game over instantly. Not the horrible life this one is having.

the spoilt kid isn't bothered and it is being taken out on the rabbit.

offer to rehome it? Rabbits do have that look about them that they are desperate for feeding despite having been fed. I have two young rabbits who even after a big bowl of food (more than the recommended small handful each) and fresh greens/carrots.

Offer to take it.

Housebunnies make amazing pets. I have one watching TV with me now. I rescued her and as a result she's very loyal.

I would ask them if they actually want the rabbit. My sister has been in a similar position and ended up taking on the rabbit as her own. She's taken him to the vet and said his poor diet has probably caused tooth problems, but with correct diet he should now be fine. It depends what sort of person they are. If their heart's in the right place and they just don't know much about rabbits then some advice might help. Sounds though, as if they aren't bothered. If he's being neglected, then phone the RSPCA, or ask to take him on, or suggest a local rescue centre.

The RSPCA is ignoring its own recommendations for rabbits, then.

I don't think I could be friends with someone who treated an animal like this.

Take it, please. Britain's most neglected pets, rabbits