I read the other day that a rabbit awareness day was held somewhere down south as part of a national RSPCA campaign.  They had decided to hold the awareness day following a survey that had been done in the south west of England that showed what miserable and unhappy lives some of our pet rabbits are having to endure.

The survey apparently showed that rabbits were the most neglected of all the pet animals kept in their region and statistics show that their plight is highlighted all over the UK.

Many people are uneducated regarding the care and companionship that rabbits need. For far too long our pet rabbits have been kept in solitary confinement in a rabbit hutch at the bottom of the garden that is far too small for comfort.  Rabbits are often bought as a present for a child in the family and when the child gets fed up with the daily routine of caring for the rabbit, the family ends up arguing over whose turn it is to clean it out, feed it and play with it.  Meanwhile the cute little bundle of fur that they bought in the pet shop becomes forgotten about and neglected.  How sad.  Far too many rabbits are handed in at rehoming centres because people don’t realise how much time and care rabbits actually need.

Rabbits need spacious rabbit hutches and rabbit runs so they can hop around, kick their legs and stand up easily without touching the roof of their rabbit hutch.  They are also very sociable little creatures who love company.  If you can’t have 2 rabbits then you need to make sure that the rabbit you do have has plenty of human contact.  Pick him up and cuddle him regularly, play with him often, give him plenty of toys to play with when you aren’t there and keep his rabbit hutch clean and hygienic.

Always make sure your rabbit has plenty of clean fresh water and good quality food.