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First Good Practice Code for Rabbit Welfare launched
APGAW has worked with a team of experts to create the first Good Practice Code for Rabbit Welfare.
APGAW has launched the Code in honour of Rabbit Awareness Week. 

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) has launched the first Good Practice Code for Rabbit Welfare.

Launched to mark Rabbit Awareness Week 2021 (28 June - 4 July), it is the first Code of Practice for a small animal. Despite rabbits being one of the most owned pets in the UK, only larger animals such as dogs, cats, and horses have Statutory Codes of Practice in order to protect and ensure their welfare. 

Working with experts from the RSPCA, Rabbit Welfare Association, PDSA, PFMA, Pets at Home, Animal Welfare Foundation, and the PIF, APGAW hopes that its Good Practice Code will prevent rabbits from suffering with welfare issues because of a general lack of understanding with regard to rabbit needs. 

An infographic has also been made for the public to go alongside the Code, named Rabbit Roundabout. The infographic clearly states the needs of pet rabbits, helping the public to understand what rabbits need with regard to companionship, diet, home size, and daily activities, among other things. 

APGAW hopes that the Rabbit Roundabout infographic will be used in areas such as retail places, rescue and veterinary centres, and other public facing areas, in order to educate the public on proper rabbit welfare.

The code can be found at apgaw.org/wp-content and a PDF of the infographic can be viewed here – APGAW is open to anyone making use of the work. 

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."