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Sharp rise in rabbits looking for new homes
rabbits
Rabbit Awareness Week is an annual event that brings together vets, pet retailers, welfare charities, manufacturers and owners.
RSPCA marks Rabbit Awareness Week with appeal for new owners

On the 10th anniversary of Rabbit Awareness Week (18-26 June), the RSPCA says that more rabbits than ever are looking for their forever homes.

The theme of this year's Rabbit Awareness Week is #BuddiesforBunnies to encourage owners to realise that rabbits are social creatures.

However, the RSPCA says they have seen a 50 per cent rise in rabbits looking for a home, compared with this time last year.

There are currently 258 rabbits looking for a home across the country compared with 176 at the same time last year, said an RSPCA spokesperson.

The charity hope this year's campaign will urge people to realise that the stereotype of a single rabbit at the bottom of the garden in a hutch is a misguided one.

“We have lots of rabbits in our care desperate to be given that second chance,” commented RSPCA rabbit welfare expert Dr Jane Tyson.

Rabbit Awareness Week is an annual event that brings together vets, pet retailers, welfare charities, manufacturers and owners to educate people about proper rabbit care.

To find out more visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.