Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), the UK’s leading rabbit welfare charity, is calling for a pause on the sale of new rabbits by breeders, retailers, and classified sites. We’ve spoken at great length with the team over at RWAF to understand the current rabbit welfare crisis, and to find out why websites like Preloved need to take action to support this breeding and sales amnesty.
Rabbit Rescue Shelters In Crisis
UK rabbit rescue shelters are full and no longer have spaces available for surrendered rabbits. But why is the rabbit welfare crisis so different to cat and dog shelters’ issues?
- Rabbit breeders aren’t registered, unlike dog breeders. This means there are no restrictions on the number of rabbits being bred in the UK.
- Rabbits reproduce far quicker than cats and dogs. One mum could have 15 babies in just 60 days. That’s 15 babies needing homes.
- Rabbits are difficult to sex and can breed from just 16 weeks old. This means accidental litters are very common. This doesn’t happen with dogs and cats.
- Rabbit rescue shelters are usually run by private individuals. Funding the cost of neutering and vaccinations (£300-£400) means it’s difficult to recoup costs when rehoming. Cat and Dog shelters are in a slightly better position. They can charge a higher rehoming fee to cover costs.
How Can Preloved Support The Breeding And Sales Amnesty?
Preloved, along with other UK classified sites, were asked by RWAF to participate in an amnesty. We were all asked to prevent sellers from listing new adverts of rabbits for a few weeks this Spring. They explained this would redirect would-be buyers to purchase from shelters instead. Shelters would then be able to get on top of finding new loving homes for the thousands of bunnies in their care.
As a website that allows the rehoming of animals, we take the responsibility of animal welfare incredibly seriously. We work closely with organisations such as Pet Advertising Advisory Group, British Veterinary Association, and RWAF. Working with this panel of experts helps to ensure Preloved’s policies put animal welfare first.
You can help the team at RWAF by signing the petition to amend legislation to ensure rabbit breeders require the same licensing as dog breeders.
Preloved To Stop New Adverts Selling Rabbits
From 20th March to 9th April 2023, Preloved will stop accepting new listings for rabbits. Any listings submitted will be held for review by our moderators before being removed and a courtesy message sent to the would-be seller explaining the Amnesty campaign.
Breeding And Sales Amnesty: A Call To Breeders
We’re announcing this change, 5 weeks in advance, to make breeders aware that they will not be able to list their new litters for sale on Preloved during those dates. If they can pause breeding programmes now there wont be any new litters needing to be sold during the time of the amnesty.
Adopt, Don’t Shop
If you’re interested in getting a rabbit, you can find great local rescue shelters here. Home checks will apply. Also, be aware of the commitment needed for rabbit ownership;
- Rabbits can live for over 10 years
- The lifetime cost for pet ownership can exceed £10,000
- They need daily cleaning and fresh bedding
- Contrary to popular belief, rabbits do not make good pets for children as many don’t like being picked up for cuddles.
An open letter from RWAF on the Breeding And Sales Amnesty
We are writing to you urging rabbit breeders across the UK to cease all activity.
The UK is currently experiencing a rabbit welfare crisis driven by breeders, online classified sites, and pet shops failure to recognise the severity of the situation and to then take the appropriate steps to control breeding and the sale of new rabbits.
This time of year, rescue centres always see an influx of unloved pets being dumped but this year’s level of abandoned rabbits is unprecedented. Vets and animal welfare experts are in despair having never witnessed such a national animal welfare crisis at this level. Action is needed today.
Throughout the pandemic there was a national boom in pet ownership. Breeders jumped on the opportunity to supply the demand, whilst uneducated new rabbit owners took home their new balls of fluff unprepared for the reality of being a responsible pet owner.
The number of rabbits needing to be rehomed is out of control. Fuelled by the cost-of-living crisis and rabbits breeding like rabbits – rescue centres are completely overrun.
We know of rescue centres which have waiting lists of over 50 rabbits. Waiting lists could easily be longer but people don’t wait for them to have space – they leave looking to rehome elsewhere. We can only hope they do it safely, but we know that they will be readvertising them online without proper home checks. We are also seeing reports of rabbits being put into rubbish bins and being released in to the wild, which is a death sentence.
Today, we are writing urging rabbit breeders to pause breeding, for all classified sites to stop adverts selling new rabbits, and for all pet shops to stop selling new rabbits.
As a nation, we need to urgently support the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund’s Rabbit Sales Amnesty and instead promote Adopt Don’t Shop’. 98% of rabbit owners surveyed support this ‘rabbit sales amnesty’. The market is at saturation point and there are not enough good homes available for any new rabbits.
The only way this rabbit welfare crisis can stop is for rabbit breeding across the UK to pause today. As a society, we also need be start getting educated about our pets needs and take responsibility for all animal welfare.
Richard Saunders
(he/him) BSc (Hons) BVSc FRSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) DipECZM(ZHM) FHEA MRCVS
Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund Veterinary Advisor
And
Dr Emma Milne
RCVS Fellow and Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund Patron
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