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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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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.