The proprietor of an animal sanctuary in Henllan near Llandysul is asking for more people to come forward to adopt rabbits and guinea pigs.

Wind-Rush Animal Rescue is home to nearly 40 of the animals and with more unwanted small animals such as the Dutch Rabbit, Californian and Giant French Lop being brought to the sanctuary, more people are needed to adopt them.

Animal lover Katharine Collyer is the proprietor of Wind-Rush and since establishing the sanctuary in 2007 has seen an increase in the number of unwanted pets.

“People buy rabbits and guinea pigs at eight weeks old thinking they are cute and cuddly, but after a few months, they turn into hormonal teenagers that bite and scratch and then very few people want them,” said Katharine.

“They need time and attention and the amount of pets that get ignored in hutches drives me nuts.

“People need to plan ahead before purchasing a rabbit or guinea pig as they would before planning a pregnancy.”

Katharine’s passion for the animals is second to none and started when she was a youngster.

“I got my first rabbit when I was 13 years old,” she said.

“I was home taught and rather lonely and was given an unwanted rabbit called Buster.

“My vet told me he would never become tame, but after two days I managed to touch him, and after six months I could hold him and he was an absolute darling.”

Katharine, who is helped at the sanctuary by her partner John, says people need to think long and hard before purchasing any animal as to look after an animal properly costs money.

“Rabbits usually need 30 grams of food a day depending on its breed,” said Katharine.

“They also need vegetables and hay to help with digestion.

“A female rabbit would need to be spayed and that’s more expensive than castration.

“They also need vaccinating and worming and require regular health checks.”

Katharine believes many of the larger breeds of rabbit such as the Californian and Giant French Lop are starved as people have no idea how to care for them or how much food to give them.

Katharine follows a strict re-homing regime and only allows her rescued animals to be adopted to the most experienced of homes.

“More and more people have less time for their pets or lose interest in them,” she said.

“Some rabbits here have been abused to the point where I cannot re-home them and they will live here for the rest of their lives.

“We have one female rabbit who attacks anyone with blonde hair and she has mental issues having been bred from three times in seven months.

“Our rabbits and guinea pigs will only go to responsible owners.”