THE Worcester branch of the RSPCA is over-run with rabbits which have been abandoned by people going on their summer holidays.

The problem started about a month ago and the situation is now at crisis level, with the charity fast running out of space and currently looking after 30 rabbits.

The charity relies on a system of "foster mother" volunteers, such as Carol Goodall, who give up their spare time to look after rabbits kept in hutches in their own gardens.

According to Geraldine Haynes, a volunteer with the Worcester branch, problems arise when people go on holiday.

"Instead of getting someone to look after their rabbit while they go on holiday, people just leave them to us," she said.

The overcrowding situation would be eased if owners who have genuinely lost their pets checked their rabbits hadn't been found by the RSPCA.

Figures show only one in 20 rabbits are reclaimed by their owners.

The problem is not helped by the fact that male rabbits cannot generally be housed together and also need to wait six weeks after being neutered before being able to be placed with a female.

Volunteer and "foster mother" Eileen Callow is hoping the appeal will save the problem.

"We desperately want the public to come forward to take our rabbits and guinea pigs. If you give them a good home they will reward you as they are fun and loving animals," she said.

"For us, it is an ongoing struggle because as soon as we've homed this lot, there'll be many more."

Anyone interested in providing homes for the furry creatures should contact Ms Haynes on 01886 822083 evenings only or Ms Callow on 01905 428819.