A Survey of Rabbit Handling Methods Within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

Rabbits are commonly kept in a variety of settings, including homes, laboratories, and veterinary clinics. Despite the popularity of keeping this prey species, little research has investigated current methods of handling. The aim of this study was to examine the experience of caregivers (owners and keepers) in using five handling methods commonly referred to in books written for companion animal (pet) owners and veterinary and/or laboratory personnel. An online survey was completed by 2644 respondents, representing all three of these groups, and breeders. Data were acquired to determine sources that participants used to gain knowledge of different handling methods, the methods they used and for what purposes they used them, and their perceptions of any associated difficulties or welfare concerns. Results indicated that participants most frequently used the method of supporting a rabbit's body against a person's chest, which was considered the easiest and most welfare-friendly method of the handling methods explored. "Scruffing with rear support" was the least used method and was considered to be distressing and painful for the rabbit. As rabbits are a terrestrial prey species, being picked up is likely an innately stressful experience. Additional research is encouraged to explore the experience of rabbits during handling to identify methods that can be easily used with the fewest welfare compromises.

Pet rat welfare in the United Kingdom: The good, the bad and the ugly

“…The present results need to be interpreted in the context of a likely participation bias which has been reported as a limitation in similar studies 24,25 . The respondents may not be entirely representative of the average pet rat owner in the United Kingdom.…”

“…The present results need to be interpreted in the context of a likely participation bias which has been reported as a limitation in similar studies. 24,25 The respondents may not be entirely representative of the average pet rat owner in the United Kingdom. Indeed, the low incidence of respondents with children sug-gests that we did not reach many people who had children with pet rats, which is likely to be common.…”

“…A common approach to researching the welfare conditions of companion animals is to survey owners and ask them to report on the housing and husbandry of their companion animal. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Previous research using this approach has been very fruitful; it has identified dietary issues in guinea pigs and rabbits, [19][20][21] poor standards of housing in rabbits, 20,22 and that the level of exercise of many dogs is insufficient. 23 Although one limitation of surveys is that only pet owners who are particularly enthusiastic about their pets may respond, leading to a participation bias.…”

Exploring the Relationship Between Human Social Deprivation and Animal Surrender to Shelters in British Columbia, Canada

“…Given the prevalence of owner-related reasons for surrender, the relationship between human deprivation and risk of surrender across the given reasons for surrender are an area of interest. Additionally, pet ownership and surrender has been studied extensively in dogs and cats, although the growing popularity of small animals, rabbits, and exotic pets in North America warrants investigation (14,15). Geospatial analysis lends itself well to comparisons of various geographic areas; however, previous studies in animal welfare often study one location of interest (1,13).…”

Ethyl Cellulose and Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Blended Methotrexate-Loaded Transdermal Patches: In Vitro and Ex Vivo

“…The rabbits used in this study were given standard food at least three days before administration of the formulations. The standard food was prepared according to a published recipe composed of 10% white fish meat, 18% middlings, 20% grass meal and 40% bran [29]. Water was also allowed ad libitum.…”