Review highlights holes in rabbit legislation

_{Six-year-old Edie Livingston hugs her pet bunny Blossom.}

Although bunnies are a symbol of Easter and the third most popular pet in the UK, a review by SRUC shows they are under-represented in most legislation.

There are around a million pet bunnies in the UK, but the review of animal welfare legislation highlights differences in government guidelines across the country, with the most consistent omission being the lack of guidance for breeding rabbits as pets.

Overall, researchers found pet legislation has generally focused on commercial activities involving animals, such as pet sales, boarding or exhibitions, with a particular focus on the regulation of dog breeding.

England currently does not have codes of practice for pet rabbits - with owners often referred to farmed rabbit codes, while in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, codes refer to the general care and management of pet rabbits and do not give recommendations on appropriate breeding management.

SRUC researcher Laura Dixon said standards and regulation of rabbit breeding need to be implemented across the UK to ensure the animal’s welfare.

“Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the UK and while charity organisations like the RWAF and RSPCA have guidance on housing and management, there are no government recommendations for breeding pet rabbits, only for lab and meat rabbits,” she said.

“Being housed in unsuitable environments can cause stress and frustration leading to, or exacerbating, behavioural problems, such as fur pulling or bar biting. It can also lead to increased obesity and decreased bone strength due to lack of exercise.

“We’re hoping that by illustrating the inequality for pet rabbits, this will prompt the different governments to draft guidance for breeding pet rabbits.”

Posted by SRUC on 03/04/2021