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Rabbit awareness collective reveals 2017 theme
The #HopToHay campaign aims to address the fact that rabbits remain one of the most misunderstood pets in the UK.

#HopToHay campaign 'biggest and best yet'

The lack of pet owner understanding around the importance of a hay-led, fibre-rich diet is the focus of this year's Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW), it has been announced.

Taking place from 17-25 June, the #HopToHay campaign aims to address the fact that rabbits remain one of the most misunderstood pets in the UK.

In 2016, the PDSA's Animal Wellbeing Report highlighted that only 30 per cent of owners gave their rabbits constant access to hay for eating.  

Through this new campaign, the Rabbit Awareness Collective (incorporating Burgess Pet Care, BSAVA, PDSA and the RWAF) wants to ensure that rabbits are being given good quality feeding hay, which is more palatable and will help support their digestive and dental health.

The aim is to make sure that owners feed their rabbits diets containing 85-90 per cent grass or fresh, high-quality feeding hay, they said.

Now in its eleventh year, Rabbit Awareness Week helps encourage rabbit owners to visit practices and get their rabbit's health-checked. During this time, practices offer an array of initiatives and activities to help better the lives of rabbits including free dentals, free weight checks and reduced fees on neutering.

"Each year, we're delighted to see the new and innovative ways practices are making the most out of each week," said a RAW spokesperson. "We want this year's RAW to be the biggest and best yet!"

To support practices, the collective has put together a PR toolkit specifically for vets. This includes information about this year's campaign, as well as lots of ideas on how to co-ordinate activity and maximise coverage.

The toolkit also includes PR and social media tips, press release templates, campaign information and lots of RAW materials to help promote the week.

For further information about RAW and details on how you can get involved visit http://www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk/hop-to-hay/

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.