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Pet rabbits 'happier and healthier' as a result of lockdown
This year's RAW campaign will take place as a two-week virtual festival.

Findings mark the start of Rabbit Awareness Week 2020. 

Rabbits have been living happier and healthier lives as a result of the coronavirus lockdown, according to new research.

Findings from the Pets in Lockdown survey – published to mark the start of Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) - show that 88 per cent of rabbit owners have been spending more time playing with their rabbits. A further 99 per cent reported enjoyed the extra time they have been able to spend with their animals.

The findings also reveal that many rabbit owners have used the lockdown to treat their animals and enhance their quality of life. Some 47 per cent of owners said they had spent more money on toys and boredom breakers, while 26 per cent said they splashed out on improving their rabbits' accommodation.

Dr Suzanne Moyes from Burgess Pet Care, the organisers behind RAW, said: “Veterinary research consistently shows rabbits as being one of the UK’s most neglected pets so it’s amazing to see that so many rabbits are living happier and healthier lives as a result of lockdown.

"In addition to ensuring their rabbits are kept in pairs and have constant access to high-quality feeding hay, it’s a positive sign that rabbit owners are making all of the right moves to address poor quality accommodation and lack of regular interaction – two of the key contributors to unhappy bunnies!”

Despite some one million pet rabbits living in the UK, research shows they are the UK's most neglected pet. According to the PDSA's Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report,  49 per cent of rabbits continue to live alone, while 25 per cent live in adequate conditions.

To help address this issue, this year's RAW campaign will take place digitally as a two-week virtual festival, featuring live Q&As and educational videos from the UK’s leading animal welfare organisations and charities. The content is free and can be accessed through the Rabbit Awareness Week Facebook page.

Dr Moyes added: “Rabbits make fantastic pets but it’s important for owners to do their research in advance of welcoming rabbits into their home so they can understand the responsibilities that are involved.

"While social distancing measures mean we’ve had to take a digital approach for this year’s RAW campaign, rabbit owners can learn everything they need to know about rabbits from the UK’s leading animal welfare experts by taking part in this year’s campaign online.”

 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.