MSPs Urged To End Rabbit 'Neglect'

Campaigners for rabbits' rights will call on MSPs to end the out of control cycle of neglect'' of the popular domestic pets at Holyrood this week.

The rabbit welfare crisis'' must be stopped, according to Rabbits Require Rights, which has called for the pets to be granted similar protection to cats and dogs.

Campaigner Karen Gray has petitioned the Scottish Parliament to tackle the widespread neglect, over-breeding and availability of the UK's most neglected pet''.

Wild rabbits' can roam across land equivalent to 30 football pitches but many domestic rabbits live in hutches smaller than legal guidelines, in conditions worse than battery rabbits'' slaughtered for food, she said.

Many pet stores also sell rabbit treats containing ingredients that rabbits are not designed'' to eat, she added.

Until the welfare crisis is under control, ban the sale of all rabbits, either online or in pet stores,'' she said.

This will remove the 'impulse purchase' of rabbits which causes so much neglect and help reduce the numbers in rescue centres waiting for homes.

Rabbits are not designed to eat egg, dairy, animal derivatives, nuts, seeds or corn yet our shelves are teaming with highly inappropriate and harmful treats as suited to this species.

I myself recently found myself the owner of a new rabbit in July 2014.

Bought from a very poorly run pet shop, in the period of four months from purchase she was hospitalised at the Royal Dick Vet Rabbit Clinic on four occasions and underwent two invasive operations to return her back to an acceptable level of health, at a cost of £1,285.

Her health issues were entirely avoidable and caused solely through being fed an inappropriate diet.

We need to wake up to the fact that rabbits are endearing, highly intelligent, inquisitive, active, agile, clean, funny and loving animals, which makes them the ideal companion pet for numerous owners, and as such should be given the same level of protection as our cats and dogs enjoy, and be treated accordingly.''