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Organisers reflect on success of RAW 2022
"We are so grateful to everyone who got behind this year's campaign" - Charlotte Varley.
The 'Room for Rabbits' campaign garnered much support.

The organisers of Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) have announced that this year's campaign, which took place from 28 June to 4 July 2022, has been consider one of the most successful RAW campaigns.

This year's theme, 'Room for Rabbits', highlighted the need for suitable environments, and resources and information were made available online for veterinary practices and pet owners to use and learn from.

Organisers of the campaign surveyed veterinary professionals who supported RAW to find out their views on the effectiveness of the campaign, and results showed that 98 per cent believed that RAW had a positive impact on the care of pet rabbits in the UK.

Other findings showed that 87 per cent believed that rabbit welfare is improving in the UK, 70 per cent downloaded a RAW campaign pack, 64 per cent promoted RAW in practice, and 55 per cent ran a social media campaign over the week.

Alongside surveying veterinary professionals, the organisers surveyed rabbit owners, to discover whether RAW had been successful in highlighting the issues with rabbit housing.

Of those surveyed, 64 per cent had downloaded a RAW pack, and 52 per cent said that they had learnt something new about rabbit welfare.

Almost half of owners surveyed (47 per cent) said that they would adding new items to their rabbits' environment, and 54 per cent stated that they would make new items for their rabbits or upcycle household items.

Charlotte Varley, communications manager at Burgess Pet Care, who organised the campaign, commented on its success: “We are delighted that RAW continues to have a positive impact on the lives of the UK’s pet rabbits, with this year’s campaign successfully raising awareness about the importance of creating the right environment, whether that’s indoors or outdoors.

“We are so grateful to everyone who got behind this year’s campaign – every veterinary practice, rabbit owner, rescue centre and pet shop retailer – for their fantastic response and continued support in helping us to improve rabbits’ health and wellbeing. 

“Work has already begun on planning for next year’s campaign, and we look forward to announcing more details soon.”

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.