But who cares if only 'rich nutters' can keep them, so long as the needs of the animal are considered...and in all honesty, there are is a large number of people who do already provide this sort of care.

For example, primates are currently out of the reach of most individuals - except for those with the finances and space to house them properly. I don't know why any other species should be different.

I for one would be elated if those people who kept single rabbits in a 3 foot hutch at the bottom of the garden could be forced to provide the necessary social needs and space requirements.

Though, at the end of the day, this particular COP is being reviewed again because it couldn't be agreed on, so I suspect the guidelines will either be watered down or there will be more leeway introduced.

But the basics outlined are indeed true - they SHOULD be kept in pairs, and a shed is an ideal environment for a pair - most hutches on the market are not suitable for two rabbits.

Just because rabbits have been kept in a certain way for a while, doesn't make it right. I applaud the fact that something is finally being done about it.

I get where you are coming from Neep Neep but I agree with Rory that perhaps the RSPCA's written COP's are unrealistic.

Yes, any animal lover will agree that social enrichment and space issues are important but there is a surely an easier way to approach this than totally wiping the backbone out of keeping.

What about Mrs X down the street, she has 1 rabbit who lives in her garden with a suitably sized hutch nad a run. Her little girl has the rabbit out for 2 or 3 hours a day to excersise it indoors, to "play" with it for want of a better word.

Is this such a bad way to house it? I would sya htat Mr Y who owns a pair of rabbits which he bought from a pet shop as females, but then started spewing babies out left, right and centre, has them living together permanently and only provides them with the basic food and water - that is who should be following COP's for me.

I agree that things having been so for a certain length of time does not make them right in any way, but codes of practic ebeing written by the ery group who wishes to end animal keeping is certainly not right - red tape up to your ears, unrealistic housing requirements the list is endless

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Some people care nothing for the feelings, they would simply sell thier soul as long as it had a £££ attached.........

Neither of those situations is ideal though - which is surely why the COP is being written, to guide people as to appropriate care? I don't think either of those situations are particularly great - though obviously on two very different scales!


However, these housing requirements are exactly what many rabbit keepers have been campaigning for themselves. The RWA also suggests these sorts of accommodation setups, as do a large number of rabbit keepers and the majority of rabbit rescues. And in this case, the COP has indeed highlighted the ideal conditions - so i'm not sure i'm currently able to criticise the content of the COPs that will follow, as this one seems to be right on track with regards to what the Rabbit organisations suggest.

They may be unrealistic (which is probably why it has been sent back out for review) but they are certainly a big step in the right direction I don't think that they should compromise on welfare demands just so they don't tread on peoples toes. Current RSPCA suggestions are minimum hutch size 5ft - which is feasible for most rabbit owners. The only objection i'm sure will be the cost. Obviously a shed is better - but i'm sure even the RSPCA realise that not everybody will extend to this luxury and I suspect that although it may remain in the COP as an example of the best type of accommodation, it won't be considered a minimum. I'm personally quite sceptical of the changes the final COP will make, and at the end of the process i'm dubious as to whether the minimum will be any more than 4ft.

When considering animal welfare, I do think it's the best option to start out suggesting the very highest requirements and expectations...because throughout the process they will be 'haggled down' by various other groups and authorities.

Though I can guarantee you that there will be a large proportion of rabbit owners who complain that the COP does not do enough, and will complain that the RSPCA doesn't have enough power...and then there will be this other portion who claim they have too much!

Just to add - I think that this COP is a great step for improving rabbit keeping...provided it doesn't back down too far but I agree in that I really don't know how they are going to do the reptile ones, especially as the organisation as a whole doesn't seem to be too keen on reptiles.
I can take their suggestions for bunnies, as that is what they do best...but reps? Definitely need some more clued up organisations right in the thick of that consultation.

The rspca have more power than they need tbh although they have the same ammount of power than any joe on the street their power comes from YOUR cash (ok not you in perticular but the public) and thats what supports them getting people knocking on doors taking away animals that are being correctly cared for!

Ok so maybe rabbits do need heated hutches etc but ask this
if they DO say a heated shed is the min requirement then what?
What happens to all those bunnies that are kept in hutches in peoples gardens that cant afford sheds?
Well heres an example
Rabbit rescues will be even more over run, as more than most of the counrty will not be able to afford heated sheds
Either that or mrs x down the road says "hey ill sign mine over to the rspca"
Ummm talk about give them what they want!
How many rabbits would you say live in hutches in peoples gardens?
how many of those could afford a heated shed?
How many of those rabbits would end up in rescues?
How many would be put down because there was no more room left in all the heated sheds in peoples gardens or no more room in the rescues?

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There'd be a run on Rabbit Stew

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http://www.herorat.org Go on sponsor a rat today and possibly save a life

well i personally wouldnt eat the stew but thats the idea yes a lot of them would end up being PTS or just let out in the open etc
now imagin replacing "rabbits" with "reptiles" could you imagin ?

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a cop for a rabbit should be no more that 2-3 pages long imo
considering rabbits have been in the pet trade for the last 50 years give or take a few. im sure most people are aware how they are ment to be looked after
Ok take out the plain stupid ones and the mentally disadvantaged.

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