MSPs consider greater welfare for pet rabbits

MSPs are to consider asking the Scottish government to review the time-scale of its pet welfare for rabbits.

Holyrood’s public petitions committee has been taking evidence after a petition created by Karen Gray, chair and founder of Rabbits Require Rights (Scotland), received 2,044 named signatories.

The petition is hoped to improve legislation and raise welfare standards of rabbits so they are in line with that of cats and dogs. This is in regards to breeding, selling, housing, pet shops, and also feeding.

Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Michael Flynn told the committee: “Rabbits have long been seen as perfect cheap pets for children that are easy to care for.

“Rabbits are regarded as an exotic species by veterinary profession and can have quite complex health issues.

“There has been an increasing number of rabbits being neglected or abandoned, resulting in increasing number being dealt with by rescue societies such as the Scottish SPCA and many others.”