Three cute rabbits dumped outside a Lancaster animal shelter were 10 minutes away from being unknowingly taken to the tip when they were spotted and rescued by staff.
The three male bunnies - named Freddie, Fozzy and Frank - were left abandoned in boxes by the bins outside Animal Care on Blea Tarn Road on Thursday morning.
The rabbits are aged between six and 10 months.
Abi Sadler, animal manager at Animal Care, said the bin lorry was "just 10 minutes behind us" when staff arrived and found them.
"They were left with the rubbish and if staff member Rachael had not noticed they would have been taken by the bin men," she said.
"She only noticed because there were air holes in the boxes.
"One of them was covered in bites and scratches, but is now doing OK.
"There are quite a few people interested in taking them but we're giving them a week or two to settle down."
Abi said she believed the domestic Rex rabbits may have been part of a litter which the owner had been unable to sell, so decided to dump them at the animal shelter.
She said the shelter does receive abandoned animals on a regular basis, but they are usually left by the gate, not the recycling bins, and tend to come with a note or letter of explanation from the owner, which wasn't the case on this occasion.
Animal Care is a rehoming charity working to help find unwanted and abandoned animals find new homes. They rescue dogs, cats, rabbits, small animals, birds, and many more.
If you think you could offer Freddie, Fozzy and Frank a home when they are ready please call Animal Care on 01524 65495 or email abi@animalcare-lancaster.co.uk
Praise for Lancaster and Morecambe youngsters who took part in 'tongue movement' project
Clinic where students offer free legal advice to reopen at Lancaster University
Lines reopen after train derailment on Scotland-London line
Police arrest two and seize illegal bike in Morecambe
ITV commissions sixth series of Morecambe crime drama The Bay
E-bike shop moves from Lancaster to new Carnforth showroom
Lancaster workshop to tackle the issue of drink and needle spiking
Morecambe raw feeds shop up for three 'Animal Star' awards
Two new festivals proposed for Morecambe entertainment venue the Platform
Second day of disruption as work continues after train derails in Cumbria
Morecambe lifeboat crew’s swift response rescues swimmer ‘being swept dangerously out to sea’
'Street Meets' announced to answer your questions amid new wheelie bin roll-out
Campaign group welcomes new "life changing" bus service to Morecambe
Lancaster prison worker jailed for drug offences
Major disruption as train derails on West Coast Main Line
Talks begin for events to mark Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Lancaster music venue due to shut will now stay open "well into 2026"
Halloween What's On Guide
LISTEN: Launch of new group in Morecambe to help with gambling addiction
LISTEN: New centre for people with disabilities to open in historic Lancaster location
