Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 31st May 2024
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

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

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.