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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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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.