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Theme announced for RAW 2022
Almost half of UK rabbits live alone.
‘Room for Rabbits’ will focus on improving rabbits’ housing.

The Rabbit Awareness Awareness Group (RAAG) has announced the theme of this year’s Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW). 

This year’s theme, ‘Room for Rabbits’, will focus on environment, following research that 38 per cent of veterinary surgeons believe that rabbits’ environment is the most neglected welfare need. 

RAW, which takes place from 27 June 2022, will provide veterinary professionals and pet owners with resources including vet blogs and videos on adapting rabbits’ housing for all seasons, boredom buster ideas, downloadable packs for practices to create their own RAW campaigns, and a competition to encourage rabbit owners to create a ‘gold standard’ environment. 

Holly Castle, senior brand manager at Burgess Pet Care, who organises RAW, said: “We are delighted that RAW continues to have a positive impact, with our survey showing that 90 per cent of vets believe that the welfare of the UK’s rabbits is improving - but there is always more we can do.

“Since the previous RAW campaign, we have successfully launched RAAG, which recognises that the welfare of these wonderful creatures needs to be high on the agenda year-round. 

“By bringing together the expertise of the RAW partners, RAAG is focused on encouraging everyone involved with rabbits to support the first Good Practice Code for rabbits’ welfare in England to ensure it becomes enshrined in law.

“The veterinary community plays a hugely important role in ensuring that owners have access to the right information, and we are urging practices to throw their support behind this year’s RAW to ensure that we reach as many owners as possible.”

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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.