Rabbits are the third most used laboratory animal in the UK. Their welfare has improved through 3Rs refinement but significant gaps remain between best practice and common practice.
Laboratory rabbit welfare sits between good regulatory intention and variable implementation. The requirement to apply 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) is legally binding but the interpretation of refinement varies considerably. Many institutions still house rabbits individually in barren cages despite evidence that pair housing with enrichment is feasible and welfare-enhancing. Post-operative pain management is often inadequate because rabbit pain signs are subtle and easily missed without training and validated assessment tools. The Draize test continues despite refinement efforts, though alternative test methods have replaced it for many applications. The welfare trajectory is positive but implementation requires active institutional commitment rather than minimum legal compliance.