Big bunnies find new home

A PAIR of colossal rabbits have finally found a home after a lengthy stay at an Ipswich pet store.

Brothers Eeyore and Piglet arrived at Pets at Home, in Orwell Retail Park, nearly two months ago but are now ready to start a new life with a loving family.

The giant pair a just nine months old and won't leave each other's side, so finding a home for both of them was essential.

The store enlisted the help of the Evening Star and it wasn't long before staff were overwhelmed with requests from people to meet them.

Alice Lowe, manager of Pets At Home, said: “People are still coming along to the store just to get a look at them and the demand has been so strong that we've ordered another couple.

“A family came in who were considering buying a dog but they had seen the rabbits in the paper and were intrigued by them. We spent a lot of time with them and decided they were more than suitable owners.”

Eeyore and Piglet found there way to Pets at Home thanks to the store's Support Adoption Scheme. Through links with local animal welfare groups, unwanted animals can stay temporarily until a permanent home is found for them.

Mrs Lowe said: “It's amazing how many animals we find homes for. On average, we help with the adoption of 30 animals a month and it makes you wonder what would have happened to them if we weren't here.”

Despite seeing so many pets come and go from the store, staff inevitably become attached to them and Eeyore and Piglet are no exception.

The five kilogramme whoppers had to be walked on special leads to prevent obesity and were let out of their hutch every morning to hop around before the store opened.

They each devour 60g of food a day, made up of rabbit nuggets, hay, fruit and vegetables, so taking them on will be a huge commitment.

The rabbits will remain at the store for the next few days until their new owners pick them up.