Rabbits are the third most popular companion animal in the UK but among the most welfare-compromised. Outdated hutch housing and solitary keeping cause chronic suffering for millions of rabbits.
Rabbit welfare is in crisis. The hutch sizes sold in pet shops and considered normal by most owners are grossly inadequate for animals with the physical and social needs of rabbits. A rabbit in a standard hutch cannot hop more than 2-3 strides, cannot binky (the joyful leap that indicates a positive emotional state), and cannot perform normal postural needs. Alone in a hutch, a prey animal experiences chronic fear without the social buffer of a companion. The welfare case for large, connected hutch-and-run systems with a permanent bonded companion is overwhelming. Veterinary and welfare organizations have updated their minimum standards significantly, but public awareness lags far behind.