Four rabbits abandoned at Exfords Green

The four rabbits were found in a cat container

Four "cold and frightened" young rabbits are in the care of the RSPCA after being found abandoned on a country road just before Christmas.

The charity said they were discovered in a cat carrier at Exfords Green near Shrewsbury on 23 December.

Animal rescue officer Melanie Froude said one of them only had one ear and they were "a little on the skinny side and were a bit dirty".

They were reported to be "doing well" at the RSPCA's centre in north Wales.

Ms Froude said it was lucky they were spotted, because there were no houses nearby.

The RSPCA said it did not know how one of the rabbits came to lose an ear

The charity said efforts were being made to trace the owners and Ms Froude added: "It is so very sad that someone felt that they had no other option than to leave these rabbits.

"We understand that people are struggling with the cost of living crisis but abandoning animals out in the cold is never acceptable."

The RSPCA said it has seen a big increase in the number of abandoned animals in 2023 and forecast the number would be up by a third, compared to 2022, by the end of the year.