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RSPCA sees surge in pet rabbit cases
Last month, the RSPCA rescued seven rabbits abandoned in Manchester.

The charity took in more than 3,000 rabbits last year.

The RSPCA is calling on people to carefully consider whether they can commit to keeping pet rabbits, following a surge in case numbers.

Last year saw the number of rabbits arriving at RSPCA animal centres increase by 48 per cent compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 1,090. In addition, RSPCA branches provided help to 1,942 unwanted rabbits during 2022.

In some cases, overbreeding has caused problems, and so the RSPCA is calling on owners to neuter their rabbits to keep numbers at a manageable level. It is also advising people struggling to afford to keep their rabbits during the cost-of-living crisis to seek help.

Recently, on 20 April, an RSPCA officer rescued seven rabbits in Manchester which had been left in a cage and a cat carrier in an alleyway behind a house. The owners have not been traced, and after being vaccinated and undergoing health checks, the rabbits are being looked after at a private boarding home as they wait to be rehomed.

Animal rescue officer Lee Ferrans said: “Six of the rabbits were in one cage and there was another in a cat carrier. Neither the cage nor the carrier were large enough to accommodate them, although they probably hadn’t been living like that before they were abandoned.

“This is not an unusual job for our inspectors and animal rescue officers at the moment - I myself have dealt with three or four rabbit abandonments in recent months.”

Cases of pets being abandoned are continuing to rise. In April 2023, the RSPCA received 1,508 reports about an animal being abandoned, compared to 1,370 reports during the same month in the previous year: an increase of 9.6 per cent.

Mr Ferrans added: “People think it’s easy to look after rabbits, but there’s a lot more work involved. It may be the case that this large number of rabbits has proved to be too much for someone after they started off with just a couple.

“People need to neuter their rabbits and they also need to research what it takes to look after them properly before they take up ownership.”

 

Image (C) RSPCA

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.