Pet rabbits should not be prisoners

26.05.11

Rabbits have long been one of the UK’s favourite pets with owners falling for their cute appearance and believing the common misconception that they are easy to look after. However, despite their popularity, we're inundated with thousands of neglected rabbits every year.

Rescuing abandoned, abused and neglected rabbits

Since the beginning of 2007, over 33,000 rabbits have come into our animal centres, after being collected, rescued or seized by our inspectors. In addition, more than 8,000 rabbits have been reported abandoned to us since 2007.

RSPCA Inspector Tony Woodley said:

Rabbits have long been a popular family pet but people often do not realise that they have complex welfare needs which must be met so they are happy and healthy.

The RSPCA is left to pick up the pieces when these poor rabbits are neglected or abused. Owners need to realise the level of responsibility owning a pet demands so the number of animals suffering dramatically reduces.

Securing convictions

Owners have a legal duty to make sure their pets are healthy which includes an appropriate diet, a suitable place to live and veterinary attention should they need it.

Since the beginning of 2008, we have secured 318 convictions due to rabbit neglect or abuse. Here are just some of the cases we have dealt with in the court room recently.
 

• Four rabbits were found cooped up in a dirty cage with no access to food or water. They were so thin that their ribs, spine and hips were protruding through their malnourished bodies. The owner was prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act and banned from keeping animals for five years.
   
• A male dwarf rabbit was found in a filthy hutch with no food or water and suffering with hugely overgrown teeth. The owner had not taken the rabbit to the vet and was banned from keeping animals for five years.
   
• More than 30 rabbits as well as some guinea pigs and a ferret were found living in dirty conditions in a garden. Some of the rabbits were living on a bed of excrement. The owner was banned from keeping animals for life.
   
• Eleven rabbits were left to die when their owner went on holiday while they were suffering with the lethal but preventable disease, myxomatosis. Five of the rabbits had died before we were contacted. The owner was banned from keeping rabbits for life.

Meeting the complex needs of rabbits

We’re concerned that the complex needs of rabbits are often poorly understood by owners. We believe that this is having a negative impact on animal welfare.

Our recently launched campaign aims to improve understanding of how to meet the welfare needs of pet rabbits. We also hope to use the results of scientific studies, currently being carried out, to provide detailed advice on rabbit care next year.
 

This year also marks the first time we have been an official partner of Rabbit Awareness Week run by Burgess Pet Care. The national event runs from 23 – 29 May and offers free health checks and education events to help owners get a more detailed understanding of what their pet rabbit needs.

More information

• Get more information on caring for rabbits.
   
• Find out about Rabbit Awareness Week.
   
• Join our online rabbit community.
   
• Watch our short video of happy bunnies in action.