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Organisers reflect on success of RAW 2022
"We are so grateful to everyone who got behind this year's campaign" - Charlotte Varley.
The 'Room for Rabbits' campaign garnered much support.

The organisers of Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) have announced that this year's campaign, which took place from 28 June to 4 July 2022, has been consider one of the most successful RAW campaigns.

This year's theme, 'Room for Rabbits', highlighted the need for suitable environments, and resources and information were made available online for veterinary practices and pet owners to use and learn from.

Organisers of the campaign surveyed veterinary professionals who supported RAW to find out their views on the effectiveness of the campaign, and results showed that 98 per cent believed that RAW had a positive impact on the care of pet rabbits in the UK.

Other findings showed that 87 per cent believed that rabbit welfare is improving in the UK, 70 per cent downloaded a RAW campaign pack, 64 per cent promoted RAW in practice, and 55 per cent ran a social media campaign over the week.

Alongside surveying veterinary professionals, the organisers surveyed rabbit owners, to discover whether RAW had been successful in highlighting the issues with rabbit housing.

Of those surveyed, 64 per cent had downloaded a RAW pack, and 52 per cent said that they had learnt something new about rabbit welfare.

Almost half of owners surveyed (47 per cent) said that they would adding new items to their rabbits' environment, and 54 per cent stated that they would make new items for their rabbits or upcycle household items.

Charlotte Varley, communications manager at Burgess Pet Care, who organised the campaign, commented on its success: “We are delighted that RAW continues to have a positive impact on the lives of the UK’s pet rabbits, with this year’s campaign successfully raising awareness about the importance of creating the right environment, whether that’s indoors or outdoors.

“We are so grateful to everyone who got behind this year’s campaign – every veterinary practice, rabbit owner, rescue centre and pet shop retailer – for their fantastic response and continued support in helping us to improve rabbits’ health and wellbeing. 

“Work has already begun on planning for next year’s campaign, and we look forward to announcing more details soon.”

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.