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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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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.