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
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