Gloucestershire rabbit rescue calls for more education on rabbit welfare
Reports found that up to 100,000 rabbits end up in UK rescues each year
Rabbit welfare specialists in Gloucestershire are calling for more education on taking care of the animals as well as tighter restrictions on breeding.
The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) say the UK is facing its worst-ever rabbit welfare crisis, with up to 100,000 rabbits ending up in rescues annually.
They also found that thousands of unlicensed breeders are operating on a commercial scale, with one identified group of 435 sellers producing at least five litters each.
The RWAF is calling for urgent government action to tighten rabbit breeding laws and urging the public to think twice before buying a rabbit as a pet.
The charity is urging the government to amend the existing legislation on dog breeding to include rabbits, ensuring stricter breeding and welfare standards.
Alice, who runs Windwhistle Warren Rabbit Rescue in Gloucestershire says not enough people know how to properly take care of a rabbit and will just leave them in a small hutch.
She told Greatest Hits Radio: “I get a bit frustrated when people don’t know.
Because everything’s out there now we’ve got the internet we’ve got rescues to ask we’ve got vets who are now very experienced with rabbits, it’s all out there.”
A Defra spokesperson said:
“This government is commitment to upholding the highest animal welfare standards.
“Anyone who runs a business selling rabbits as pets must legally obtain a valid licence and meet strict welfare standards, enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse, or revoke licences.”