A WINCHESTER resident has put together a fundraiser for her pet rabbit after he became ill.

Georgia Lamont got Hagrid the rabbit from a breeder in Westbury when he was eight weeks old.

However, within 48 hours of being brought home, Hagrid began sneezing white Pasteurella discharge, indicating that he had come down with a bacterial infection that is highly infectious to other rabbits.

Georgia said: “We took him straight to the vet and he was started on antibiotics.

“The problem we made straight away is, obviously we got him prompt vet care, but by doing that we invalidated any ability to get insurance because he then, from vet notes, had quite a big problem already.”

READ MORE: Winchester vet’s Ironman podium finish secures World Championship qualification

Georgia decided to set up a fundraising page to help pay for Hagrid’s vet bills based on a suggestion someone made on his Instagram account.

The campaign had a target of £1,000 and, at time of writing, has exceeded the goal, raising £1,045.

Georgia explained: “I just thought ‘It’s a bit ridiculous, a bit much asking people for money’, but I thought what the hell, did it and it’s just been overwhelming.

“There are people from Canada, Asia, we’ve never met who’s given us something like £20, £30 – someone actually gave us £100 as well – which, when you don’t know someone, I think is just so, so generous.

“But it will make a huge difference because we spent £900 at the vet last week just having a scan to find out what is going on in his face, why the anti-biotics aren’t working.”

SEE ALSO: From the M27 to A303, road closures to be aware of this week

The money from the fundraiser is going towards Hagrid’s current hospital stay and paying for surgery he needs.

Georgia continued: “I mean, the cost of that, to be honest, is more than £1,000 but the £1,000 is such a massive chunk towards it, it’s so helpful.”

While Hagrid has taken some steps back in his recovery, Georgia said that she had been told by the vet that he has started eating and interacting again, hopefully signalling that he may recover.

She said: “We’re hoping that he’s on the way up again but it’s a road ahead, we need the anti-biotics to work and for him to stabilise enough for surgery.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/keeping-hagrid-hopping.