On a damp roadside in Hemel Hempstead, England, a passerby noticed an old cardboard box with a towel draped over the top. Something about it didn’t seem right.
Curious, they lifted the towel — and were met with a heartbreaking sight: a blind senior rabbit curled up tightly beside a small stuffed bunny.
The rabbit, later named Guinness, had been left out in the cold with nothing but his plush companion for comfort. Realizing how vulnerable he was, the Good Samaritan rushed him to a local vet and contacted the RSPCA for help.
“This poor rabbit must have been extremely scared to be abandoned out in the cold like this with just a cuddly toy for comfort,” said Kate Wright, an animal collection officer with the RSPCA.
From the moment she met him, Wright could see how much Guinness relied on his stuffed bunny — almost like a child with a security blanket. Wherever Guinness goes, the bunny goes, too.
Despite his ordeal, Guinness was actually in fairly good health, and his rescuers are shocked that the blind rabbit is still so happy and upbeat after being abandoned the way he was.
“Unfortunately, we do see people abandoning their animals in this way,” Wright said. “We understand that people’s circumstances can change which might mean they can no longer care for their pets, but abandoning an animal is never the solution.”
Now safely in RSPCA care, Guinness is thriving. He’s gentle, affectionate, and happiest when snuggled up beside his toy friend.
“It’s clear he and his bunny would make the perfect addition to a loving home,” Wright said.
The RSPCA is still seeking information about how Guinness came to be abandoned. Even the smallest detail could help uncover his story.
If you recognize Guinness or know anything about his past, call the inspectorate appeal line at 0300 123 8018. To help other animals like him, consider donating to the RSPCA.
To help other animals like Guinness, you can donate to the RSPCA.
