Rabbits are the third most common companion animal but have significantly fewer specialized veterinary practitioners available than cats and dogs, creating welfare gaps for sick and injured rabbits.
Companion rabbits frequently receive suboptimal veterinary care because their owners cannot access specialists and general practitioners may lack rabbit-specific training. Conditions like dental disease, GI stasis, and reproductive cancers that are highly treatable when caught early become fatal when detected late. Owner education about subtle rabbit illness signs combined with access to rabbit-experienced veterinarians significantly improves welfare outcomes. Supporting rabbit welfare organizations that provide owner education and vet referral networks addresses this critical gap.