Rabbits are the third most abandoned pet in the UK, partly because their complex welfare needs are poorly understood by many owners and inadequately communicated at point of sale.
The gap between how rabbits are sold and what they actually need is one of the most significant welfare problems in companion animal keeping. Marketed as starter pets requiring minimal space and care, rabbits are actually demanding animals with complex social, physical and behavioral needs. They need other rabbits, large outdoor and indoor spaces, and regular veterinary care including neutering. The disconnect between marketing and reality leads to widespread unintentional neglect. Retailer education requirements and better welfare guidelines could prevent enormous suffering.