A pair of adorable bunnies are still searching for their forever home after being left at a Kent animal shelter for 18 months.

It comes as the RSPCA warns it is facing a rehoming crisis with more rescue animals spending longer in the charity's care than ever before.

Rabbits Aster and Aspen have spent 646 days at the RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre in West Malling and are the longest stay rabbits at the shelter.

While Aster is a little nervous, with regular handling and positive interactions it is hoped she will gain confidence.

Both rabbits are inquisitive and could live in a household with older children.

Back in March, KentOnline shared their photos in hope of finding them a loving owner, but they are still waiting.

The pair are some of the 118 animals who have been waiting at national RSPCA centres for more than 100 days, which charity bosses say is a growing trend.

Karen Colman, who leads the RSPCA team finding places for rescued animals, said: “We are appealing to potential adopters to - where possible - consider rehoming pets which have spent a particularly long time waiting for their forever home at our centres.

“We have so many absolutely wonderful dogs, cats and rabbits who through absolutely no fault of their own are sitting at rescue centres waiting patiently for the next chapter of their lives to begin.

“That chapter cannot start without the public coming forward to offer them homes.

“It’s heartbreaking. There are so many pets that have been with us for 100 days or more and have still not been rehomed.”

New data released by the RSPCA today shows the average length of time dogs, cats and rabbits across England and Wales wait before they are adopted has risen by almost a third (31%) over the past five years.

‘There are so many pets that have been with us for 100 days or more and have still not been rehomed…’

As a result, many rehoming centres remain too full to take in new animals, with many in costly boarding centres while they wait for space.

The data, which was gathered on October 3, showed 118 dogs, cats and other animals at the RSPCA’s 14 national animal centres had already waited more than 100 days without being adopted.

Throughout October, the RSPCA is pushing its Adoptober rehoming drive, to encourage people to come forward and give these animals forever families.

Kate added: “Our rehoming centres are crying out for people who have the desire, dedication, time, facilities and willingness to step forward and offer to adopt our long stay animals.

“They can do this with the confidence that the RSPCA rehoming team will give them all the help, advice and support they need to make the animals transition from centre to home a positive one.”

Potential adopters can visit the RSPCA’s Find A Pet webpage to see all of the animals currently in the charity’s care who are looking for their perfect match.

Supporters can also help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming by donating online or calling their donation line on 0300 123 8181.