Meet Lulu, a rabbit with a healthy appetite. Lulu is a three year old, female French Lop who was signed over to the RSPCA at Hillingdon when she became too heavy for her young owner to pick up.

Because of her weight Lulu is unable to clean herself.

Fortunately it is not too late for Lulu to start enjoying her life again. She has been put on a strict regime of low calorie food and regular exercise, and has already become more active.

A RSPCA survey of vet practices this week has revealed that nearly 80 per cent believe the number of overweight and obese animals they are seeing is on the increase and a staggering 76 per cent of the practices had even set up dedicated "fat clinics."

RSPCA vet David Grant said: "Feeding your pet full English breakfasts, chocolate, chips, burgers and too much pet food may make you feel like a kind and loving owner but it may give your pet fatty tumours, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, liver failure, skin problems and, even worse, an early death."

The RSPCA has launched a new leaflet warning pet owners of the dangers of letting their animals become overweight. The leaflet will be distributed by fundraisers in Tesco stores throughout RSPCA Week. Information can also be found on the RSPCA's website www.rspca.org.uk.