Rabbit concerns despite testing ban
The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) has voiced its concern over both lack of owner knowledge and lack of legislative protection for pet rabbits.
As a result, the association says rabbits are unnecessarily suffering.
These concerns have been raised despite a recent breakthrough for animal welfare – an EU ban on animal testing for cosmetic products – which is particularly significant for rabbits.
While the charity says it welcomes the move "with open arms", it believes cruelty to rabbits still takes place elsewhere in society.
As such, it is asking people not to buy a rabbit this Easter, and warning potential rabbit owners only to take on the responsibility if they have looked into everything that is involved with their care.
RWAF is also urging existing rabbit owners to find out how they can improve their rabbits' lives by visiting its website.
Richard Saunders, vet expert advisor of the RWAF commented: "Unbelievably, we have more legislation to protect lab rabbits than for pet rabbits."
He said many hutches are below the legal requirements for lab rabbits.
"The problem rabbits face is that most are kept – as the Victorians kept them for easy access for food – in a hutch.
"We are making great steps in some areas of animal welfare but somehow it's still seen as okay to keep an animal that needs to run, jump and dig confined to a hutch, and there's very little protection through the law."
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
