The Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 2011 – from May 23 to May 29 – will give the rabbit owners a chance to ensure that their pet is in good health – with the key focus this time round being on emotional wellbeing and behavioural needs of rabbits!

The RAW campaign, in conjunction with vet surgery The Pet Clinic, based in Driffield and Bridlington, will mark their support for the ‘rabbit health’ cause by offering free rabbit health checks, as well as free consultations to all rabbit owners.

Terming the RAW as “a very important annual campaign,” Holly Kitson - veterinary surgeon at The Pet Clinic – said that the clinic wished to be part of the countrywide activity by offering free rabbit health checks all through the mentioned week.

Noting that The Pet Clinic will be open for free rabbit health checks every day during the Rabbit Awareness Week, Kitson said: “We look forward to welcoming rabbit owners to our free health checks at the surgery, to ensure they are not only physically well, but also emotionally.”

Meanwhile, talking about the campaign, TV vet and RAW supporter Matt Brash said that the campaign this year will largely be about increasing awareness of emotional welfare needs of rabbits by encouraging owners to mull over the mental and emotional health of their pets.

Brash further added that the bored, frustrated or frightened “unhappy rabbits” generally develop behavioral problems, like aggression, self harm, depression, hiding, decreased grooming, or other stereotypic behaviours including highly recurring, consistent, and apparently purposeless activities!