A member of staff from Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre near Taunton raised £500 for two rabbit welfare charities last Saturday (August 24, 2013) by penning herself into an indoor dog crate.

Rosa Nation, Pet Advisor at the Monkton Heathfield garden centre, shut herself in the crate for nine hours in aid of the Rabbit Welfare Association and Heavens Gate Rehoming Centre.

The 23-year-old said: The fundraiser was a huge success, thank you to everyone who supported me. I'm delighted to have raised £501.18 for two very worthy causes. Rabbits are one of the most neglected animals in the UK and I wanted to experience what life is really like for a neglected rabbit.

I was very stiff after being cooped up for nine hours but I hope I've made people realise it is a very serious animal welfare issue. Rosa also featured on BBC Radio 2 last Friday (August 23) to raise awareness of neglected rabbits. The Rabbit Welfare Association works to improve the lives of domestic rabbits across the UK through education and communication.

Heaven's Gate Rehoming Centre cares for and re-homes animals, including rabbits, which are unwanted or looking for a new home for other reasons. Rosa, who is from Taunton, added: Rabbits often live in small hutches with little or no exercise and they can also become unwanted and forgotten about. It's important that people take responsibility for all kinds of pets, not just rabbits, and should consider whether or not they can care for an animal for more than 10 years.

Many people believe a simple three foot hutch is an ideal home for a rabbit, but the animals need a run to enable them to get extra exercise. The Pet & Reptile Centre currently stocks larger hutches, which are ideal for pet rabbits.

Staff at The Pet & Reptile Centre are able to offer expert advice on looking after animals and selecting the right pet for you.

The Pet & Reptile Centre, which was awarded the Best Pets/Aquatic Department at the Garden Retail Awards 2011/12, regularly hosts free, informative advice sessions and has a wide range of pet products. It is home to a variety of animals, including guinea pigs, rabbits and snakes and staff often bring their own pets to work.

For more information, please call Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield between Bridgwater and Taunton, on 01823 412381