AN animal shelter is urging people to come forward after eight baby rabbits were abandoned on its doorstep.

Volunteers at RSPCA Stubbington Ark Animal Shelter were horrified to find the bundle of six-week-old rabbits left in the freezing cold.

They were found dumped on the shelter doorstep in a small plastic box, piled on top of each other with melted holes for air. A vet who looked at them after they were found on Saturday, February 21 says that they are lucky to be alive.

Now the shelter is appealing for information and a spokesperson said they can’t believe that the defenceless pets were abandoned.

They said: “The plastic storage box contained wood shavings and eight tiny baby rabbits. Air holes had been melted into the box to allow the rabbits to breathe but the holes did not allow an adequate air supply, and given the weather was extremely cold, if the rabbits had not been discovered they would have certainly died.

“Staff at the shelter would have been happy to have taken the rabbits in, if the owners had contacted us directly, instead of leaving them to a chance discovery.”

A vet has said that the four males and four females are healthy and being looked after at the shelter but a spokesperson has pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

The rabbits will now stay at the shelter until they are old enough to be rehomed in three weeks’ time.

Any members of the public who have any information that could lead to identifying the owners are asked to contact the Stubbington Ark Animal Shelter on 01389 667541.