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Rabbit Awareness Week returns for 2025
RAW 2025 will promote the importance of appropriate rabbit housing.
This year’s theme is ‘Happy, Hoppy Homes’.

The Rabbit Awareness Action Group (RAAG) has revealed the theme for this year’s Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW).

The campaign, running from 23- 27 June 2025, will focus on ‘Happy, Hoppy Homes’, promoting the importance of correct indoor and outdoor housing for rabbits.

It is the 19th year of Rabbit Awareness Week, which has been endorsed by the British Small Animal Veterinary Organisation (BSAVA) and is organised by Burgess Pet Care. RAAG says that the results of the latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) report highlights the urgency of its theme.

The PAW report revealed that 22 per cent of all pet rabbits were being kept in inadequate housing, such as small hutches or limited run space. This equates to approximately 180,000 rabbits.

The survey also found that just 66 per cent of rabbits were able to move freely between their hutch and their run. This leaves 23 per cent that had to be let in or out by their owner, while nine per cent had to be physically moved by their owner.

Rabbits which were kept in inadequate enclosures were less likely to be able to move freely between their hutch and their run.

Nine per cent of rabbit owners said they had chosen inadequate housing based on advice from a retailer, while seven per cent said they chose it because no larger enclosures were available.

RAAG says that these statistics highlight a need to promote the correct housing environments needed for indoor and outdoor rabbits. This year’s campaign will feature a range of blogs, videos and digital waiting room resources to provide appropriate advice.

RAW 2025 is set to launch at Woodgreen Pets Charity, one of its supporters, and will bring together members of the veterinary community and supporters of RAW.

Julian Hoad, BSAVA president, said: "The BSAVA is delighted to once again be endorsing Rabbit Awareness Week for 2025.

“Despite being the UK's third most popular pet, rabbits are still frequently kept in suboptimal conditions. With the many resources available, we hope this increases the awareness of good rabbit husbandry."

Veterinary practices can download resources and get involved on the RAAG website.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.