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Charity reports stark rise in unwanted rabbits
Two bunnies - Happy and Grumpy (pictured right) - are looking for homes at the Isle of Thanet.

The RSPCA has seen a 49 per cent increase in rabbits coming into its care.

Animal charity RSPCA has reported a stark rise in the number of unwanted and abandoned rabbits coming into its care.

The organisation says that it saw a 49 per cent rise in rabbit admissions during the first half of 2022 and is building additional accomondation to keep up with the high demand. 

The figures come at the start of Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) (27 June – 1 July), of which this year's theme is 'Room for Rabbits'.

It also follows research that 38 per cent of vets believe environment is the most neglected welfare issue. 

One RSPCA centre in County Durham is taking in rabbits for the first time, having previously looked after horses. The team at RSPCA Felledge are constucting five new runs to take in five bonded pairs of rabbits, along with further enrichment and soil-filled pots to allow for digging.

Equine manager Lisa Paulin said: “We are more used to horses and stables than rabbits and runs but we are fortunate to have a lot of space here so we knew we had to adapt our facilities to help in any way we can to help with the huge influx of animals in our care.

“We followed RSPCA guidelines on housing and all the runs are 3m x 2m x 1m and will have lots of lovely things for the rabbits to do to make sure they are happy while they are with us before they find their forever homes.”

The RSPCA Kent Isle of Thanet branch has expanded its living quarters to include six custom shelters with beach house themes and sizable runs. The branch can currently accept 12 bonded pairs and is investigating whether they can extend the number to accommodate additional rabbits.

Branch manager Emily Mayer said: “We are full and have more rabbits waiting to come in, we are seeing if we can extend our accommodation to fulfil the growing need we are seeing for rabbits.

“We have cats and dogs on our site too, but most of the calls we are receiving from the inspectorate as well as from members of the public are about rabbits. Circumstances are changing for people financially and owners don’t realise how long a commitment taking on a rabbit is as well as how expensive they can be. 

RSPCA rabbit welfare expert Dr Jane Tyson called on potential rabbit owners to do their research before taking on a new pet.

 “Rabbits can live for a long time and can be costly, they need much more than just a hutch at the end of the garden - they need space, companionship and enrichment to live happy and healthy lives,” she said. “If you do feel able to commit to a pet or feel you could take a rabbit in for fostering please contact your local RSPCA centre to help.”

Image (C) RSPCA.

 

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.