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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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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. 

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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.