When Tusks’ former owner decided they no longer wanted her, they didn’t take her straight to a shelter. Instead, they left her alone, without the care she desperately needed.
By the time she was finally surrendered to the RSPCA, Tusks was in heartbreaking condition. Her fur was so matted it was impossible to tell what she looked like — and her teeth had grown halfway down her face.
Staff at the RSPCA Middlesex North West branch were stunned when they first saw her.
“She was in a horrific state,” Cheryl O’Keefe, animal welfare administrator, said in a press release. “Her teeth were so overgrown and tangled in matted fur, which meant eating was a huge challenge for her. Her back end was so bad we couldn’t even confirm if she was male or female at first because of swelling and infection. We honestly don’t know how she was coping.”
Tusks was immediately given emergency care. She underwent dental treatment to trim her teeth back to a normal length and was gently groomed to remove her painful mats. Almost right away, her entire demeanor changed. Free from pain for the first time in a long while, Tusks began to perk up, enjoying food and comfort again.
Now safe in a foster home, she’s thriving — happy, healthy, and ready for a second chance.
“She is doing so well now, and we’re looking for a new home for her with a neutered male bunny for companionship,” O’Keefe said.
Tusks’ story is a reminder of how important proper rabbit care is. During Rabbit Awareness Week (June 2–10), the RSPCA is emphasizing education to prevent neglect like hers.
“Tusks shows how badly a rabbit’s teeth can become overgrown,” Dr. Jane Tyson, rabbit welfare expert at the RSPCA, explained. “Owners should check their rabbits’ teeth at least weekly to ensure they aren’t misaligned or too long. Sadly, rabbits remain one of the nation’s most misunderstood pets. Too many are kept in small hutches without exercise space, housed alone instead of in pairs, or not given the right diet.”
The best way to prevent painful dental issues is to provide unlimited access to hay, which naturally wears down rabbit teeth and keeps them healthy.
Rabbits can make wonderful, loving companions when cared for properly. Thanks to the RSPCA, Tusks now has that chance — and soon, hopefully, a forever family to love her.
If you’d like to adopt Tusks or learn more about giving rabbits the care they deserve, you can contact the RSPCA for more information.
