Dear Supporters

We hope you and your pets are all well and keeping warm!

In the past few weeks, we have learnt that there is an RSPCA-led Rabbit Welfare Code of Practice Panel whose job it is to present to DEFRA detailed guidance about the needs of pet rabbits and how to meet these needs in accordance with good practice.

The Panel was formed in 2015 and includes the Pet Industry Federation  and the British Rabbit Council (i.e. rabbit breeders, including show breeders). It does not include any independent rabbit rescue organisation. We were able to find out about the existence of this Panel after many enquiries. We also contacted some of the organisations connected with the Panel. It would appear from at least 2 of these organisations that they have not heard from the RSPCA since the Panel was set up, and had forgotten it even existed.

We contacted the RSPCA's CEO Chris Sherwood to enquire if it would be possible to join this Panel to present our point of view, which is based on several years' experience in fostering and rehoming rabbits in a cage-free environment. We are disappointed to report that our request was turned down. So we have replied to Mr Sherwood asking the RSPCA to "please make rabbit welfare a priority, and promote pens, not hutches, as even the biggest hutches are small. If you would not be happy to house your cat or a dog in these hutches, then you should not promote them as suitable and humane rabbit accommodation either."

We are very disappointed that for example pet shops and breeders, who profit from rabbits, are welcome on this Panel, but not rabbit rescue organisations. We hope the RSPCA will consider the enlightened approach of the Scottish Rabbit Welfare Guidance as well as A Hutch Is Not A Home, even though Cottontails will not be represented on the Panel. 

We believe rabbits would benefit from animal welfare organisations working together and we hope to be able to work with the RSPCA in future. We look forward to reading the proposed Rabbit Welfare Code of Practice and we hope it will not take too long for it to be completed.

We would like to wish all our wonderful supporters and all animal welfare organisations, especially small rescue organisations run on a shoe-string by fantastic, dedicated volunteers, a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Joyful New Year! PS Rabbit sponsorship makes a fantastic Christmas present and is offered by many rabbit rescues.

Please keep sharing our petition, thank you!

From everyone at COTTONTAILS