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Charities announce strategy for rabbit welfare
RWAF have called rabbits 'the nation's most misunderstood pet'.
The ten-point action plan identifies common health and welfare problems.

Animal welfare charities have called on organisations to ‘work together’, as they release their strategy for improving rabbit welfare.

The Rabbit Welfare Strategy has been developed by the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) and the RSPCA to address common health and welfare problems.

The strategy provides a ten-point action plan, designed to support organisations with improving the wellbeing of rabbits and considering their five welfare needs. It also hopes to balance demand and supply, and reduce the strain on rescue facilities.

The plan calls for further study into rabbit needs, and a communication of evidence-based findings and consensus expert opinion to rabbit owners and breeders.

The charities also want to encourage retailers to offer welfare-compatible products and advice. They say retailers should be trained to provide optimal advice on meeting rabbit welfare needs.

Organisations are asked to work together to overcome emerging welfare problems, and to encourage the development of appropriate secondary legislation, such as Codes of Practice.

RWAF have called rabbits ‘the nation’s most understood pets’. It says that many pet rabbits are still being housed singly, with unsuitable housing or diets.

In 2020, rabbits were the third most popular pet in the UK.

However, research conducted by the PDSA in 2011 described rabbits as the most neglected species compared to dogs and cats.

Richard Saunders, a vet specialist advisor at RWAF, said: “Rabbits are the third most commonly kept mammalian pet, and yet one of the most neglected companion animals in the UK. We hope that this rabbit strategy gives a clear roadmap for how their care and welfare can be improved over the short- and long-term future.

“We are extremely grateful to all the organisations and other stakeholders who have been involved in this document, and who have committed to taking positive action for rabbits.”

The ten-point strategy plan can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

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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.