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Man Builds £10,000 Rabbit Hutch
Log cabin-inspired custom hutch has mezzanine level, CCTV, and a fan.

When hutch builder Jason Batterbee of Dersingham near King's Lynn wanted a new project, he thought a new hutch for his pet rabbits Hunnie and Runnie would be just the thing. However, he has taken this particular project a little further than is the case with most hutches.

“The basis for it went out of the window. I get carried away, but I think more is better for them and the bunnies have got a life of luxury.” Mr Batterbee says.

After around nine months of work fitted in around other commitments and over £1000 in raw materials, Hunnie and Runnie's new hutch is a two-bedroom special inspired by a log cabin. Features include a roof made of cedar wood, a mezzanine level, stainless-steel guttering, a fan, and a CCTV system accessible from inside the Batterbee's home. According to Mr Batterbee, everything was handmade specifically for the project. It is this sheer quantity of skilled workmanship that he believes justifies the designer price tag.

But Mr Batterbee is not finished. “I've had the idea of possibly putting in some radiators for them – stainless steel of course – which we can heat via solar panels,” he says, before adding “It can be improved and I've got some other ideas, but the boss [wife Mairi] will have to say yes or no.”

However, it is not only the Batterbee's rabbits who are getting the luxury treatment – the family's two pet iguanas have the sounds of the jungle played to them by iPod.



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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."