Abandonment and rehoming of rabbits and rodents in Madrid (Spain): A retrospective study (2008-2021).

Abstract

Exotic animals have become popular pets, but there is little information about abandonment. Records of a network of foster homes for abandoned rabbits and rodents in Madrid (Spain) between 2008 and 2021 were analyzed. Data of 1024 animals were included, 46.4% were rabbits, 19.7% hamsters, 15.3% guinea pigs, 5.8% rats, 5.4% gerbils, 4.8% mice, and 2.6% chinchillas. Half of the animals (51.2%) were admitted with health issues, 41.3% had been abandoned, mostly in urban areas, 46.8% came from a local shelter, and 8.1% were relinquished by the owner. Only 12 animals were neutered and 8 were microchipped. The network of foster homes took care of 1009 animals (98.5%), 686 of them were adopted in an average time of 9.2 months, regardless of their health status, 15 animals died before fostering, and 323 died before adoption. Numerous rabbits and rodents are abandoned in urban areas in Madrid (Spain), very few of them are microchipped or neutered. Associations based on networks of foster homes for the adoption of abandoned rabbits and rodents can be effective, preserving animal welfare as effectively as shelters.