Rabbits are the third most popular companion animal in the UK but also among the most commonly surrendered to rescues, reflecting widespread misunderstanding of their complex welfare needs.
Rabbit welfare in Britain represents a persistent crisis driven by the combination of rabbits being perceived as easy starter pets and their actual requirement for sophisticated care. Rabbits need large, connected living spaces, social companionship, constant access to hay, regular veterinary care, and owners who can recognise subtle signs of illness in a species that actively conceals pain. The gap between these requirements and the typical hutch-in-the-garden reality causes enormous preventable suffering. Education, responsible breeding and selling practices, and adoption promotion are all needed to improve rabbit welfare outcomes.