NEGLECTED rabbits are enjoying a new lease of life thanks to Helen Mayer-Rees.

Helen and her friends Anna Allen and Katy Collins set up the charity Rabbit Rescue North West this summer.

The charity is based at a dairy farm in Mobberley, and rabbits are rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed.

“We cater for rabbits which have been neglected and left in a hutch at the bottom of the garden,” said Helen.

“Rabbits tend to be forgotten pets, and some get left in their hutches, which are not big enough to run around in.

“Their claws grow long, and they become fat and miserable – which is no life. They are super-intelligent animals who love company.

“We keep rabbits for between 10 and 14 days in quarantine in case of any infection, and try and rehome them as soon as possible.”

Helen has six hutches and two emergency hutches, and Anna and Katy, from Bramhall and Knutsford respectively, each have room for three rabbits at their homes.

The charity is believed to be the only rabbit rescue group in the area, and all its rabbits are neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped before a new home is found for them.

“We rely on fundraising and donations to fund the charity, and are having an autumn fair at the Victory Hall in Mobberley,” said Helen.

The fair takes place this Saturday, October 11, from 10.30am to 3.30pm, will include a raffle, and another fundraiser could take place before Christmas.

“The cost of adopting a rabbit from the charity is £30, and £50 for a pair, which includes the cost of neutering, vaccinations, micro-chipping and room and board,” said Helen.

“So as you can see the adoption price is minimal compared to the actual cost to us to help and rehome these rabbits.

“We welcome any donations above the adoption price, and all our money goes straight back into caring for the rescue rabbits.

“We make no profit or gain in any way from this rabbit rescue, we do it for the love of bunnys!”

You can contact the charity on Facebook and via the website rabbitrescuenorthwest.weebly.com.