GSPCA about to reach 500 rabbits helped this year with over 95% with myxomatosis – Advice on what to do if you find a sick rabbit and protect your pet rabbits
The GSPCA is appealing to the public for assistance as the charity continues to deal with an unprecedented number of rabbits suffering from myxomatosis, with 472 rabbits helped so far this year and more than 95% affected by the disease.
The animal welfare charity is currently helping up to 25 rabbits a day, making it one of the busiest periods the GSPCA has experienced for wildlife casualties, not including the many baby birds and other animals suffering for the hot weather.
Myxomatosis is a severe and fatal viral disease that affects rabbits and is commonly spread by biting insects such as fleas and mosquitoes. Rabbits suffering from the disease can experience swollen eyes, blindness, breathing difficulties, lethargy and immense suffering and there is little that can be done to treat the disease and heal these poorly animals that are severely affected by the disease.
The GSPCA is urging islanders who find a rabbit showing signs of myxomatosis to help by taking the animal directly to a veterinary practice or bringing it to the GSPCA Animal Shelter in St Andrew's.
Where a finder is genuinely unable to transport the rabbit, the GSPCA can arrange collection where resources allow. However, with the charity responding to so many animals and emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week, public assistance is proving invaluable.
At present, the GSPCA does not have the resources to attend reports of rabbits that have not been caught or safely contained. The charity has attended numerous calls where rabbits have moved away before help arrived, while in many other cases kind members of the public have successfully rescued and contained the animals before contacting the GSPCA.
GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said:
"This year without doubt is the busiest we have ever experienced for rabbits suffering from myxomatosis, with 472 rabbits helped so far and sadly more than 95% affected by this awful disease.”
"Every day we are helping up to 25 rabbits, on top of all the other domestic animals, wildlife casualties and emergencies that the GSPCA responds to 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
"Myxomatosis is a devastating disease and rabbits can suffer terribly if they are not helped. Typical signs include swollen, closed or weeping eyes, lumps and swellings around the head and body, breathing difficulties and a reluctance to move.”
"If you find a rabbit that appears to be suffering from myxomatosis, the best thing you can do is safely contain it and take it directly to your nearest veterinary practice or bring it to the GSPCA Animal Shelter in St Andrew's. This can often get the rabbit help much faster than waiting for a collection.”
"We can collect rabbits where people genuinely have no means of transporting them, but with the huge number of animals we are currently helping, we would ask the public to assist us where they can. Sadly, we do not currently have the resources to attend rabbits that have not been caught or contained, as many move away before our team can reach them.”
"We are incredibly grateful to the many members of the public who have safely contained and brought in sick rabbits this year. Their support has helped prevent a great deal of suffering and has been a huge help to our small team."
“If you find a deceased rabbit due to the disease it is best place it tied in two plastic bags and dispose of it appropriately.”
“For owners with pet rabbits it is so important they are vaccinated as there are so many biting insects with this warm weather and we have had cases of the disease in every cornet of the island.”
Anyone concerned about a rabbit or requiring advice should contact the GSPCA on 01481 257261.
The GSPCA would like to thank the public, veterinary practices, team and volunteers for their continued support during what remains an exceptionally busy period for wildlife rescues across the island.
Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal
To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To see animals looking for new homes
https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
To see our youtube channel and lots of videos please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
- Kitten Day 10th July 2026
- World Snake Day 16th July 2026
- Guinea Pig Appreciation Day 16th July 2026
- Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 23rd – 27th July 2026
- Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
- South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 8th August 2026
- West Show 12th-13th August 2026
- World Lizard Day 14th August 2026
- North Show 19th-20th August 2026
- International Dog Day 26th August 2026
- World Animal Month October 2026
- World Animal Day 4th October 2026
- Feral Cat Day 16th October 2026
- National cat Day 29th October 2026
- Halt Term Spooky Tours October 2026 to be confirmed
- Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog12/11
- Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat26/11
- Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
- World Wildlife Conservation Day 4th December 2026
- Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”
“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “
“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
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