A charity is urging families to rethink buying small animals as pets after 66 had to be rescued last year, in Kent alone.

The RSPCA has revealed it is rescuing 340 small furries in a month across the country.

Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, ferrets, chinchillas and hamsters are often thought as an easy first pet but the charity says they can have complex needs.

Dr Jane Tyson, the RSPCA’s rabbit and rodent welfare expert, explained: “It used to be a common sight to see a lone rabbit in a small hutch at the bottom of the garden or a hamster in a tiny cage in the corner of a child’s bedroom but hopefully these images are consigned to the past and people realise that these complex animals need so much more than that.

“Many people think the RSPCA only rescues and rehomes cats and dogs but this is not the case. We see thousands of small animals coming into our care every year and often this is as a result of owners being unable to cope with caring for pets who they thought would be easy to look after.”

Last year 114 rabbits were rehomed across the Kent after coming into the organisation's care across different parts of the UK.

Jane added: “Small animals can make great pets but they are often very misunderstood. One of the biggest issues we see with these pets is people taking them on with little or no research, often buying them on impulse because their children have asked for them. This can lead to families struggling to cope once they realise the large amount of time, money and care they actually need."

This Adoptober the RSPCA is shining a light on rabbits and other animals in its care which are looking for fur-ever homes.

Mento and Nutmeg are a pair of male guinea pigs which are being looked after at RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre, West Malling.

They are timid and inquistive and would need a hutch that is a minimum of 5ft in length and an additional run.

If guinea pigs are not your pet of choice, Nut Nut is a lop eared rabbit who is also looking for a home.

Being cared for at the Canterbury and District Animal Centre in Hersden, she is friendly and loves playing with toys.

She is looking for house with plenty of space and enrichment and a neutered male rabbit to slowly bond with.

There are also three gerbils looking for a place to live together.

The 6-12 month olds, Stilton, Wensleydale and Emmental, are at the RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre in West Malling.

Wensleydale has recently been neutered so is slowly being introduced to the two girls.

Once paired they are looking for a large tank or accommodation where they can dig and borrow.

Escaped animals, unusual finds, and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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