MANCHESTER — An investigation by the Manchester Police Department's Animal Control Division yielded a severe case of animal abuse where 55 rabbits were found abandoned in a foreclosed home. Six of the rabbits died from a yet to be determined cause.

The surviving 49 rabbits, who were surrendered to the Manchester Animal Shelter, were found in what was described as deplorable conditions with all suffering from varying degrees of urine scald from living in their own urine and feces. The Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter are providing the medical care for the rabbits.

All of the rabbits should be ready for adoption next week.

"My first thought was, 'Where are we going to house them?' " said Shelter Manager, Shelley Greenglass. "We're accustomed to housing and caring for an influx of stray cats or dogs, but rabbits are not something we are prepared for, but we make it work."

After a plea for assistance was placed on the shelter's Facebook page, they received an outpouring of food, hay and financial donations. Another rescue group has taken 12 of the rabbits at their facility to care for them.

The shelter continues to seek financial donations, primarily to offset the rising cost of the rabbits' medical care and sterilization.

Donations can be made to: FMAS, P.O. Box 393, Manchester, 03105 or through the shelter's website: www.manchesteranimalshelter.org.