Reducing suffering - Rabbit welfare back to research animals home     Thousands of rabbits are used in research and testing throughout the European Union every year, mostly in pharmaceutical research and development. The lives of laboratory rabbits can be greatly improved by providing housing and care that caters for their physical and behavioural needs. UFAW/RSPCA Rabbit Behaviour and Welfare Group During 2008, the UFAW/RSPCA Rabbit Behaviour and Welfare Group published a report providing practical guidance on refining laboratory rabbit husbandry. Refining Rabbit Care: A Resource for Those Working With Rabbits in Research sets out the welfare needs of the rabbit, based on the current laboratory animal science and welfare literature, and explains how these needs can be fulfilled. The 26-page report is intended for animal technologists, facility managers, veterinarians and scientists. For further information or to order hard copies of the report, please contact: rabbits@rspca.org.uk photo © RSPCA Back to top © RSPCA 2009. All rights reserved.   Reducing suffering: introduction For as long as animals are used in research and testing, every step must be taken to reduce suffering and improve welfare... more   Refinement The research animals department promotes initiatives that will lead to improvements in laboratory animal housing and care and reductions in suffering caused by procedures... more   Rodent welfare Working to improve the welfare of laboratory rodents is extremely important because the vast majority of animals used in research and testing are mice and rats... more   Rabbit welfare The lives of laboratory rabbits can be greatly improved by providing housing and care that caters for their physical and behavioural needs... more