Ethel the rabbit was found squashed into a guinea pig cage in a freezing alley after she was abandoned by her cruel owners.

Now the RSPCA is appealing for information after the female grey lop-eared bunny was dumped between Ethelbert Road and Athelstan Road in Cliftonville, Margate.

The person who called the RSPCA at 2.30pm had passed the same spot at 11am and had not seen Ethel, so it is believed she was left between these two times.

Ethel is in a good state of health despite the conditions in which she was found and was taken into RSPCA care. It is hoped she will soon be rehomed.

RSPCA inspector Deborah Pert said: “Poor Ethel had been completely squashed into what I think must be a guinea pig travel cage.

“It was completely barren and she had no food or water, or even bedding. She was far too big for the cage and could barely even turn around.

“It was really lucky that Ethel was found down this hidden alleyway when she was. The weather was really bad that day, the temperatures had really dropped, and the cage she was in was really open to the elements.

“Rabbits are more difficult animals to care for than most people realise, and need a constant supply of hay. She is likely to have suffered from welfare problems had she been left where she was for too much longer.”

Anyone with any information about Ethel should telephone the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

To rehome Ethel or another of the rabbits in the charity’s care, contact the Isle of Thanet branch on 01843 826180 or email info@rspcathanet.org.uk