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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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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.