Rabbits are the third most commonly kept companion animal but among the most welfare-compromised. Understanding their social and space needs transforms their quality of life.
Rabbit welfare is one of the most neglected areas of companion animal welfare. The combination of small commercially available housing, solitary keeping, and poor understanding of rabbit behaviour creates chronic welfare compromise for millions of UK rabbits. Rabbits in inadequate housing cannot express natural behaviours including running, jumping, and social grooming; they develop musculoskeletal problems from limited movement and psychological distress from isolation. Education campaigns like RWAF's 'A hutch is not enough' have improved public awareness, but enforcement of welfare standards remains limited.