Dear Santa
I don’t want to be greedy so I’m just asking for what I need this Christmas. If you could grant my wishes I would jump for joy!
At the moment I just have cold, damp wood to sleep on. I’d love a dry and snug bedroom with a lovely, comfy warm bed.
I’m kept locked up all day and all night so if you could give me some space to play in, that would be lovely. My spine and muscles feel stiff and painful because Im cooped up. Id love to run around again, its been so long.
I would love a friend to snuggle up with in the cold and to run around with. We’d have so much fun. I cant bear being alone any more.
I’m given a bowl of dry food once a day and my teeth and tummy are in a terrible state because of it. Please can you give me some natural food?
If you could grant me these wishes I’d have the best Christmas ever!
Your friend
Jaffa the Rabbit
There is no response from Santa because the rabbit owner is the only one who can grant these wishes.
Rabbits are the most neglected pets in the UK. Countless pet rabbits live in hutches, with no space to exercise, no companionship and a poor diet that leads to gut and dental problems. This is scientifically proven to be cruel.
Rabbits need a large secure enclosure the hutch must be attached to a safe exercise area so they can shelter or exercise at will. Rabbits confined to a hutch and not able to move freely can develop muscle weakness, and are more likely to damage their spines when handled, and sores around their rear end which can attract flies to lay their eggs on their skin.
Rabbits need somewhere warm and dry to rest and feel secure. They need plenty of straw or hay for warmth and must be cleaned out regularly.
It’s cruel to keep a rabbit on its own. Rabbits never live alone in the wild and research has shown that domestic rabbits value companionship as much as food. They must be neutered and bonded with at least one other neutered rabbit.
Rabbits in the wild eat grass all day and pet rabbits diets’ should be as close to this as possible. They should be given unlimited grass or hay, some fresh vegetables and only a small amount of pelleted food.
The RWAF appeals to rabbit owners: please be Santa and make your rabbit’s Christmas wishes come true.
A Hutch is Not Enough!