THE RSPCA is appealing for information after five rabbits and two guinea pigs were abandoned in a street.

Animals Collection Officers were called to Thames Road, in Peterlee, County Durham, last weekend, after a resident found a number of cardboard boxes containing the animals left behind a garage.

The boxes had all been labelled with the breed and sex of the animals, which included two male black and silver lionhead rabbits, one black female lionhead, one brown female lionhead, one brown and white Dutch male, and two male guinea pigs.

They were all in a good, healthy condition and were taken to the RSPCA's Great Ayton Animal Centre.

RSPCA officer Debbie Cliff said: "It is shocking that anyone could abandon any animal in this way, especially at this time of the year.

"These rabbits and guinea pigs could easily have been injured and would surely have died had they been left to fend for themselves any longer in this winter weather."

She added: "We are now keen to hear from anyone who may have any information about how these animals came to be so cruelly abandoned.'' Debbie Fowls, manager of the Great Ayton centre, said: "We find it very hard to rehome rabbits and small furries at this time of year, which is a terrible shame as we are overflowing with animals looking for new homes.

"Rabbits and guinea pigs seem to be so commonly abandoned and it's always heartbreaking when more are brought in.

"We're now hoping to find responsible new owners for the many animals we have, who will tend to their needs properly and provide them with all the care and attention they deserve.'' Anyone interested in rehoming a rabbit is asked to call 0300-123-0743.