ABANDONED during the festive season, four guinea pigs and a white rabbit are looking for a new home.

West Oxford Animals Rescue Centre (WOARC) founder Janet Fisher has appealed to people to open their hearts and rehome some furry creatures who were dumped in the city.

West Oxford resident Miss Fisher said: "It is just so sad and unnecessary.

"The four guinea pigs were left in a holder in Grenoble Road and were picked up by a lady on Wednesday.

"They were extremely hungry, we are not sure how long they were left there for."

The guinea pigs, all male, were taken to Cufa's Lea Veterinary Centre in Cowley to be checked over before being returned to the rescue centre.

The white rabbit was picked up on the A34 on Christmas Eve by a cyclist.

Miss Fisher said: "He was rigid stiff, absolutely petrified.

"But luckily he was rigid enough for the cyclist to pick him up and take him to us.

"We see this happen a lot this time of year when people are given pets for Christmas and they cannot afford to look after them or do not know how to.

"But there are better ways then dumping them on the side of the road, you can always bring them to a rescue centre."

For more than 40 years Miss Fisher has run the charity, which started with the rescue of two small kittens.

For more information or to help rehome one of the animals visit westoxfordanimalsrescuecentre.org