(Rabbit Awareness Week is celebrating its 15th Anniversary.

Organisers unveil theme at virtual BSAVA Congress. 

Organisers behind Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) have announced this year’s campaign theme as part of BSAVA Congress 2021 (25-27 March).
 
The RAW collective, which comprises some of the UK’s largest animal welfare organisations and charities said the welfare needs and challenges of rabbits through their different life stages will lie at the heart of this year’s RAW campaign (28 June - 2 July).
 
This year the campaign is celebrating its 15th anniversary, with the theme announced at BSAVA 2021 as ‘Hopping through the Years’.  Under this theme, the RAW collective, led by Burgess Pet Care, will focus on the welfare and dietary needs of rabbits at all stages of ownership.

The campaign will also consider the key questions owners should be asking when looking to own rabbits, through the various life stages and into maturity. 

Holly Ackroyd, senior brand manager at Burgess Pet Care, said: “The support of vets and practices has always been integral to the success of RAW, so we are delighted to announce the theme of this year’s, very special, campaign at BSAVA Congress. 

“As with the 2020 campaign, the pandemic means we will be running RAW as a digital festival with lots of creative and engaging ways for vets to get involved, share their expertise and drive dialogue with rabbit owners in their regions and beyond.”
 
To mark fifteen years of Rabbit Awareness Week, this year’s event will also look back on memorable moments from RAW over the years.
 
Holly continued: “’ Hopping Through the Years’ feels like the perfect theme as we mark fifteen years of successful RAW campaigns. We’re keen to stress, though, that RAW 2021 is very much about looking to the future as well as celebrating the past. Our key focus remains on improving the health and wellbeing of pet rabbits in the UK at all stages of their life, as their needs change and owners may need to adapt the care they provide for them.” 
 
BSAVA President Professor Ian Ramsey said: “As always, the BSAVA is delighted to support RAW and to be the first to hear what the theme for this year will be. Rabbits are one of the most misunderstood pets in the UK, so providing a theme that allows vets to provide advice on all five welfare needs, at all stages of ownership, makes for a great campaign. We are confident that vets throughout the UK will lend their passionate support once again to this important campaign to improve the lives of pet rabbits.”

Vets are being encouraged to start planning for their RAW campaigns now. A downloadable pack and tips for vets will be available from 1 June 2021 on the Rabbit Awareness Week Website.