‘Dog-sized’ rabbit Atlas finds new home

A giant rabbit who became a celebrity after an appeal by a rescue charity has found a new home, where he is taken out in his own buggy.

The Scottish SPCA took in Atlas the dog-sized rabbit when his owner could no longer look after him and people from all over the world offered to rehome him.

Jen Hislop (43), from North Ayrshire, was chosen out of hundreds of applicants and Atlas left for his new home at the weekend.

She said: “I burst into tears when I got the phone call saying I had been chosen to rehome Atlas and I cried again when I collected him.

“Animals are just pets to some people but my rabbits are family members.

“I’ve had two giant rabbits before and currently have a giant cross rex rabbit named Coconut.

“Atlas is an absolute hoot and doesn’t stop running around unless he’s crashed out on his massive beanbag.

“He even has his own pet stroller, so my 15-year-old daughter Laurrie and I can take him out and about.

“We have a summer house with heating and air-conditioning, which Atlas has been enjoying already. He also has his own accommodation in a large garden enclosure as well as the run of the house.

“I’ve decided to change his name to Atilla the Bun Binky Master Jazz Paws, but I think we’ll call him Atty for short!”

Anna O'Donnell, manager of the Scottish SPCA's Glasgow rescue centre, said: "We were absolutely overwhelmed by the response to our rehoming appeal for Atlas and we had hundreds of calls and emails from people all over the world, including America, Canada and France.

"It was great there was so much interest in Atlas but we decided to find him a home here in Scotland to avoid a long journey as rabbits are very susceptible to stress.

“We hope some of the people in Scotland who showed an interest in Atlas but were unsuccessful will consider one of our many other rescue rabbits as we have lots who are in need of loving owners.”

PA