PRESS RELEASE: 13th March 2008

Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund


Easter fun? A life of misery for hutch bound rabbits

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) raised concerns today over the unsatisfactory hutches being sold by many sold by many high street pet retailers, alongside smaller pet stores leading to pet rabbits living in cramped conditions. According to a recent RSPCA survey carried out in the South and South West, inspectors found that well over half of the rabbits they visited did not have adequate hutches, and 70% did not have access to a run. RWAF Welfare Executive, Jo Edgar said “We are appalled at these figures, especially in light of the Animal Welfare Act which came into being last year. The act states that all pet owners have a duty of care for their animals and yet these statistics clearly show that it is simply being ignored.”

The RWAF is calling for all manufacturers to build bigger hutches and recommend that hutches should be constructed no less than 6ft x 2ft x 2ft and should be supplied with either a run or regular access to an exercise area should be available.

Earlier this year, supermarket giant, Tesco, withdrew their starter hutches from sale from all branches due to pressure from RWAF members. RWAF Veterinary Executive, Judith Brown said “We simply couldn’t believe how tiny these hutches were. They were totally unsuitable for rabbits. Rabbits need exercise and lots of it. If you think of how they live in the wild, you will understand that they need plenty of space in which to run around. It is unacceptable to house a rabbit in a tiny hutch. We were delighted that Tesco acknowledged our concerns”.

Many of the RWAF members, including Patron, Ingrid Tarrant, have rabbits that live indoors with their owners just like dogs and cats. They can be housetrained and can make superb indoor companions.

If you would like to know more, please visit the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website: http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk./ For further information about the Animal Welfare Bill, contact the RWAF: email: hq@rabbitwelfare.co.uk or telephone: 0870 046 5249

ENDS

For more information contact: Anne Mitchell, RWF 0870 046 5249 or email: hq@rabbitwelfare.co.uk

Download a word version of this press release

Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) Background The RWAF has been in existence since 1996 when it began life as the British Houserabbit Association. The RWAF now comprises the Association, made up of paying members and the Fund, which is the charitable wing of the organisation. Registered as a charity in March 2001, the RWF received its original funding from the donations given by members of the RWAF to help in its educational projects. The RWAF is the UK’s leading body on rabbit welfare. Every year, thousands of their educational leaflets are produced and distributed via veterinary practices, rescue centres, pet shops and directly from the RWAF. They hold an annual educational conference, and each year it gets bigger and better. Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Nurses along with rabbit owners and rescue workers can keep up to date with the latest developments from the distinguished panel of rabbit experts. The RWF is delighted to be a partner with Bristol Zoo in funding a 3 year Veterinary Resident. They hope this will have a great impact throughout the veterinary profession and rabbit clients will benefit as a result. The RWAF were also involved in the consultation process of the updated 2004 Animal Act, and sit on the panel of other pro-active organisations such as the Pets Advertising Advisory Group.

Jaffa Club - coming soon!

The Jaffa Club - what is it?

The Jaffa Club is part of the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) but is strictly for kids only. If you're aged between 7 and 11 years old then you are welcome to join!

The club was set up to help you learn all about your rabbits and will put you in touch with other young rabbit owners so you can share tips about your furry friends. Jaffa the rabbit has loads of friends, including Miffy, Henry, Louie and Fiver, and together they will show you how to get the most fun from your buns by giving them what they need to live a happy hoppy life.

What will I get when I join?

When you join you'll receive a fabulous Jaffa Club pack with all sorts of fun items like Jaffa 's calendar which gives you handy tips on what to look out for over the year, a badge, a membership book, fabulous stickers and a handy pencil case. But the fun doesn't stop there! When you join you'll also get a password for entry to Jaffa 's online club!

The online club has all sorts of games and activities. You can test your knowledge about rabbit care in 'Jaffa's HappyHopper' quiz, catch up with Jaffa and his mates through a regular cartoon strip, watch video clips about rabbits, print out rabbit care sheets written specially for kids and speak to other young rabbit owners through the moderated chat forum. So what are you waiting for?

What wll it cost to join the Jaffa Club?

It will cost £7.00 per year to join, and apart from everything else, you'll get a fab jingle ball free too, which will give your furry friends hours of fun. Joining also gives you loads of the normal benefits of the RWAF, like the 'RWAF Vet list' which will help you to find a rabbit-friendly vet in your area, and the 'Bunny Boarding List' which will help you to find someone to look after your furry friends during holidays.

How do I join

Register your interest by sending you name, address, telephone number and email address to rae@hollybushpark.wanadoo.co.uk

Jaffa can't wait for you to hop on board!

PRESS RELEASE - British weather wreaks havoc for pet rabbits

PRESS RELEASE 28 August 2007

Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund

British weather wreaks havoc for pet rabbits

The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) issued warnings to pet rabbit owners today about the danger of the killer disease, Myxomatosis, which has seen a steady rise with the warm, damp conditions of recent months.

Judith Brown, RWAF Veterinary Executive explains “The humid weather that we’ve been experiencing of late creates an ideal breeding ground for the fleas and mosquitoes that carry the disease. Unvaccinated rabbits who are infected generally die a slow and painful death”.

Rabbits owners are being urged to have their pets vaccinated against Myxomatosis as soon as possible. The advice from the RWAF backed by patron, Ingrid Tarrant, comes after the helpline received a massive increase in reports of pet rabbits, country-wide dying from this disease over the past few weeks.

Rachel Todd, RWAF Education Executive said: "Vaccination is the only way to protect your rabbit against the disease. Sadly, not all pet rabbits are protected by vaccination, largely because rabbit owners are unaware that a vaccine is available. Myxomatosis vaccine can be given from as young as six weeks old protecting the rabbit for six months in the face of an outbreak."

House rabbit owners are warned that their pets aren’t safe either. According to RWAF Committee member and long-time houserabbit owner, Lizzie Smith “Myxomatosis is contracted via biting insects such as fleas or mosquitoes – as these are free living, they can be indirectly carried into your home and then infect pet rabbits”.

In addition to vaccination, rabbit owners can taken preventative steps against Myxomatosis by fitting fly screens to outdoor hutches; eliminating standing water, such as ponds (where mosquitoes might breed) from gardens; preventing wild rabbits from getting into gardens; and making sure that there’s nothing to attract vermin and wild birds to hutches and runs.

Rabbit owners can find more information on Myxomatosis and other important rabbit health topics on the RWAF web site http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk,/ from their local veterinary practice, or from the RWAF National Helpline 01403 267658.

ENDS
For more information contact: Anne Mitchell, RWF 0870 046 5249 or email: hq@rabbitwelfare.co.uk

Water bottle warning

We all know we should give our rabbits fresh water every day, and ensure that they have enough water during the warm weather, especially if we want them to be able to eat their hay! However, we've been made aware of a potential danger with water bottles. There have been some cases reported where the ball bearing has become stuck and the small animal has not been able to get a drink, despite the bottle being full of water. Please therefore check your water bottles every day and make sure the bearing can move freely. If in doubt, use a water bowl too, or a second bottle.

Jaffa Club for kids

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) has long been aware that children are generally the driving force behind the purchase of pet rabbits owned by families. Although well-intentioned, parents are often ill-advised on the basic requirements of rabbits, and tens of thousands of them end up abandoned in rescue centres every year. Worse; as revealed in an RSPCA survey in 2006, 40% of them die through neglect. The RWAF hopes to address this sad state of affairs by launching ‘The Jaffa Club’ in 2008, which will be targeted at school children and will aim to educate them on every aspect of rabbit welfare.

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund is delighted to announce that tickets for the 2007 Conference: Rabbit Health Matters, are now available for purchase.

Saturday 10th November 2007

The Stanhill Court Hotel, Horley, Surrey.

This conference is suitable for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, veterinary students, Animal Nursing Assistants, rabbit owners, rescue workers or anyone else involved with or interested in rabbit health.

This year we are accepting online payments.

For further information, please visit: 2007 Conference Leaflet or book online.

Blooms & Burrows Open Garden - Cambridge

We welcome visitors to our suburban garden full of blooms and burrows,roses and rabbits, bees and lavender, and our fine pair of Welsh Harlequin ducks.

You are welcome to sit and stroke, stroll and sip, nibble and nose! Children are very very welcome.

At: 25 Elfleda Road, Cambridge CB5 8LZ
(off Whitehill Road, Near Abbey Pool)
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th June 2.00pm – 6.30pm both days

Entry FREE - donations collected for Rabbit Welfare Fund and Blue Cross.

Home made tea and cakes.
Friendly advice on gardening and rabbit welfare.

PLEASE NO DOGS ALLOWED
PARKING IS VERY LIMITED ON ELFLEDA ROAD - PLEASE PARK AND WALK FROM ADJOINING ROADS.