A KIDDERMINSTER vet who lived as a rabbit for a weekend to raise awareness about the unhappy lives some pet rabbits live, has smashed her fundraising target.

Emma Purnell, who works at the Stocks Veterinary Centre in Upton-upon-Seven, spent 48 hours in a makeshift hutch at the surgery last weekend, dressed in a rabbit onesie, with only a guinea pig for company, eating a diet of museli and carrots, to try and educate people on how misunderstood rabbits are and raising money for two rabbit charities.

Despite only having a target of £1,000, her charity effort has raised more than £1,700 for rabbit rescues Fat Fluffs and Windwhistle Warren Rabbit Rescue, leaving her hopping for joy.

She said: “I am completely overwhelmed by how much money has been raised so far and I am really touched by everyone’s generosity.

“It felt like the longest 48 hours in the world, but it went well. I was really pleased with the attention it received which I did not expect.

“It has brought rabbit issues forward just a little which is what I was hoping for.

“It was hard. I had hardly any sleep, it was cold, miserable and lonely – not to mention how hungry I was. I had a little blip on the Saturday night, but thankfully my husband talked me back into it.”

The surgery was open for people to visit her, and information was displayed to advise people on the needs of a pet rabbit during her charity effort last weekend.

She added: “I had quite a lot of people come and visit on the Saturday, the Sunday was quieter but I was thrilled by how many people took time out to come and visit me.

“I do hope to keep the momentum going and keep people thinking about how they care for their rabbits alongside the Rabbit Welfare Association and Funds ‘A Hutch is Not Enough’ campaign, I just don’t know quite what yet.”

Her fundraising page is still open, and to make a donation, you can visit www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/thehutchrabbit.

You can also follow Emma’s future fundraising on Twitter at @thehutchbunny