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Animal Welfare Act 2007
The new Animal
Welfare Act is the most innovative piece of animal legislation for almost 100
years. In real terms it means that the law now has the teeth to intervene before
cruelty has been inflicted upon an animal, by placing a 'duty of care' on the
owner / guardian of bunnies.
When does the new law come into effect?
From 6 April 2007 in England, and in Wales from 27 March, animal
welfare law is being improved.
It is still against the law to be cruel to an animal. But now you must also
ensure that all the welfare needs of your animals are met.
What does the new law do?
It makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of
their animals are met.
These include the need:
- For a suitable environment (place to live)
- For a suitable diet
- To exhibit normal behaviour patterns
- To be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable)
- To be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease
- The new law also increases to 16 the minimum age at which a person can buy an
animal and prohibits giving animals as prizes to unaccompanied children under
this age.
Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare needs, may
be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison.
What does it mean to me and my rabbit?
It's not acceptable to keep a solitary rabbit in a small hutch, without the
opportunity to exercise. Sadly we know that this is still the case for thousands
of pet rabbits in the UK, as they are the most neglected domestic pet. Make sure
that you are providing your rabbits with everything they need to live a long and
happy life.
The Rabbit Welfare Association suggests the following to properly care for your
pet rabbits:
Environment
Hutches should be a minimum of 6ft x 2ft x 2ft, and preferably with
an attached run to allow the rabbits to exercise at will. The run should be 6ft
x 4ft x 4ft as a minimum. Hutch size and runs can never be too big, so don't
skimp.
Further details about environment for rabbits…
Diet
Fresh food and water should be available at all times. A diet that
mimics a natural diet, that is one which is mainly hay or grass, with a smaller
proportion of greens and rabbit pellets is ideal. Any changes to the diet should
be made gradually watching out for upset tummies and closely checking at least
once if not twice a day for flystike.
Further details about diet…
Behaviour
Rabbits like to dig, run and hide. They should be provided with the
opportunity to exercise everyday. Ideally a run attached to their hutch, or even
better a garden shed with attached enclosure. Don't forget to include toys that
allow them to display their natural behaviour such as hay/willow toys for
chewing, a planter filled with earth for digging and a place to hide if they
want to.
Further details about the needs of rabbits…
Further details about companionship…
Further details about aggression in rabbits…
Companionship
Rabbits are sociable animals and should be kept in pairs or groups,
unless a houserabbit with lots of human contact. The companionship and social
interaction provided by another rabbit is ideal and much more suitable than
housing with another species such as a guinea pig which we would not as a rule
advocate.
Further details about companionship…
Further details about Houserabbits…
Further details about choosing a rabbit…
Further details about rabbits and children…
Health Care
Annual or twice yearly trips to the vets are a must for their
vaccinations (both for myxomatosis and VHD). Rabbits are prey animals and they
hide pain well, so be aware of any subtle changes in behaviour or diet and take
them to the vet immediately if you are worried. Regular mini MOT's at home can
provide invaluable ensuring teeth and nails are not overly long, your rabbit
isn't gaining or losing weight, and very importantly that once if not twice a
day you check your rabbits behind for signs of soiling to ensure that flystrike
can not become an issue.
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