Code Of Practice

Code Of Practice

TRANSPORT
Although it has generally been agreed that there are no specific regulations for hobbyist animals within The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006, the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the Welfare of Animals in Transport (Wales) (Order) 2007 there are requirements that apply to anyone transporting animals. Owners also have a duty to ensure that the welfare of their animals is adequately protected, as required, by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, and this duty extends to transport. The advice within this code of practice is intended to ensure the welfare of rabbits during transportation.

No person shall transport animals or cause animals to be transported in a way likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering to them.

Rabbits must be fit to travel.

Travelling boxes should:

  • Be designed, constructed, maintained and operated so as to avoid injury and suffering and ensure the safety of animals.
  • Be free of sharp edges and projections, which could cause injury to animals.
  • Have secure fastenings, sufficient to contain the rabbit/s.
  • Be constructed to ensure adequate ventilation and air circulation.
  • Be of sufficient floor space for the breed and age of the rabbit/s to be comfortably transported. (However, it is accepted that during transportation it is not necessary for the height to enable a rabbit to stand erect).
  • Have partitions within a box that have sufficient height, depth, and strength to separate individual rabbits, but allow for air to circulate between compartments.

Car travel:

  • The travelling box should be placed in an area of the vehicle that is secure, but has adequate air circulation.
  • Rabbits should not be left in a car or other vehicle in warm weather.
  • As a safety precaution, on long journeys, it is recommended that rabbits are checked at regular intervals throughout the journey.

SALE OF RABBITS

The Companion Animal Sector Council (CASC) views on the Selling Animals as Pets guidance

There are several Acts that affect the sale of animals. These include the various Protection of Animal Acts between 1911 and 1964 and the Trade Descriptions Act, but the main Act is the Pet Animals Act of 1951. Many people quote this Act particularly when they wish to prevent the sale of domestic rabbits or to cause difficulties at shows where rabbits are being sold. But (and this is very important but) the Pet Animals Act refers only to rabbits sold by persons carrying on a business of selling animals as pets. The Act specifically says ‘No person who is only keeping or selling rabbits bred by him or the young of any animal kept by him’ is covered by this Act.

Any person therefore who takes a rabbit to a show or any show that offers animals for sale in any way, for example in a selling class, cannot be regarded as coming within the Pet Animals Act.

There is complete freedom for any breeder (who does not keep a pet shop or deals in rabbits as a business) to sell any rabbit in any way he/she likes; as long as, they do not mislead the customer or act fraudulently.

There is, however, one exception to this. The Animal Welfare Act does say that any person who sells an animal as a pet to a person whom they have reasonable cause to believe to be under the age of sixteen years is guilty of an offence. It is therefore, very important to ensure that if a child wishes to buy a rabbit, then the seller should sell it to the parents.

In the interest of any animals being sold, and in the interest of the rabbit fancy as a whole, all sellers of rabbits should act responsibly and follow the recommendations:

  1. No rabbit should be sold before it is at least 12 weeks of age.
  2. No sick or injured animals should ever be sold.
  3. The seller should make certain that the buyer fully understands the care and handling of the rabbit. The seller should give the potential owner information on VHD and Myxomatosis and advice as to the vaccinations available. The seller should provide the new owner with at least a week’s supply of the rabbit’s current food and details of where that food may be purchased and should advise as to how to change from one rabbit food to another. The seller should provide the new owner with information as to how much food to give the rabbit and what extras the rabbit is accustomed to - this could be utilizing a care sheet.
  4. The seller should provide the new owner with contact points for the British Rabbit Council and details of their Local Adviser.
  5. The general conditions under which the rabbit has been kept should be explained.
  6. Any animal sold should both conform to a standard and be a reasonable show specimen or the buyer should be informed that it is not suitable for show.
  7. No rabbit should be sold to a child under the age of 16 years.
  8. The seller should ensure that all rings are removed from the rabbits sold, as per BRC rules.
  9. Care should always be taken that the animals should be kept in satisfactory surroundings. This also applies to shows where sometimes too many animals are confined to pens (when they are for sale), which causes overcrowding.


The BRC has a range of leaflets for members and new owners on topics such as Keeping Rabbits, Housing and the Law, the Importance of Diet and Showing. Please contact us on 01636 676042.

ACQUISITION & SALE OF DOMESTIC RABBITS

Acquisition:

  1. Before acquiring any rabbit for the first time it is advisable to research the subject thoroughly to ascertain the correct information concerning housing, feeding etc. There is an abundance of expertise waiting to be sourced.
  • Experienced breeders and exhibitors.
  • BRC Representatives, BRC literature and the Fur & Feather bookshop.
  • Local Library, school library
  • The internet

 

1. The breed of the intended rabbit must be distinguished to determine its finished size so that adequate accommodation can be provided.

2. The prospective new owner must evaluate his/her ability to provide proper daily care and to provide for the rabbit’s care and welfare, should they go on holiday, or are away from home for any length of time.

3. It is not advisable to purchase a rabbit from a local newspaper advertisement or via various internet rehoming sites. If however, this method is chosen, ask to see the parents of the potential purchase, the housing set-up, feed and cleaning regime.

4. Local pet shops and garden centres acquire rabbits from various sources, such as commercial breeders, and hobby breeders. Watch out for stressed and lethargic animals. All rabbits should be bright and very alert. Avoid purchasing if you have any doubt as to the well-being of the rabbit. The staff at all these establishments should have sufficient knowledge to be able to provide information on the rabbits in their care and be able to provide a comprehensive care regime; i.e. feed sheet to the new owner.

5. Exhibitors who breed may sell their excess stock. Variation of breeds would be limited as each exhibitor may only keep four breeds. However, if correctly researched a breeder/exhibitor who keeps your chosen variety would be able to provide much advice and determine which animal would be most suitable to your needs.

6. Animal sanctuaries. These places house and re-home unwanted and abandoned rabbits. Most are usually adults and the background and history may be sketchy. The people at the sanctuary are usually well-minded and often visit prospective new owners before releasing the animal.

Sale:

  1. The intended purchaser must be an adult or a person over the age of 16 years.
  2. The rabbit must be old enough to sustain itself and survive without the help from its mother. (Minimum 10 weeks of age)
  3. The rabbit should be free from all known rabbit diseases and should appear fit and healthy.
  4. The rabbit should not knowingly have been exposed to any known rabbit disease.
  5. The potential new owner should be briefed about the breed regarding its needs and expectations.
  6. The seller should satisfy themselves that accommodation and essentials are ready and waiting for the rabbit in its new home.
  7. The seller should satisfy themselves that the potential new owner displays/indicates some competence regarding the new acquisition.

 

We, the British Rabbit Council are unable to give any guarantee as to the health, fertility, or suitability as a Show animal of the stock being sold, and neither can we give any guarantee as to whether any rabbit conforms to the Breed Standard. Although the persons registered with this Directory are BRC Members it is the responsibility of the individuals concerned to check that the rabbits are healthy and of the required standard before purchasing. All sales and purchases of rabbits which might take place following a contact made through this Directory is the responsibility of the buyer and seller respectively and the British Rabbit Council is involved only as a means of introducing prospective purchasers to BRC Members who keep a particular breed of rabbit.