The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) has launched an enhanced version of its long-standing Rabbit Friendly Vet Scheme, designed to support high standards of rabbit veterinary care in the UK.
Developed over nearly 20 years, the scheme is designed not only for veterinary professionals but also to empower rabbit owners by clearly displaying strengths across multiple areas.
The updated scheme introduces a modular assessment framework, dividing the application into 16 key areas of practice, including reception, inpatient care, clinical expertise, nursing, and surgical provision. Each accredited veterinary practice will now receive a score for each individual module as well as an overall award rating, meaning that practices that are not achieving the highest overall award to still demonstrate excellence in specific aspects of rabbit care.
The RWAF is its registered charity, and each practice application to the scheme is reviewed and approved by its vet specialist adviser, John Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS. The first cohort of practices seeking the new standard have now been processed.
Chitty said: “We are delighted to see the first practices come through and be accredited under our new enhanced standards scheme. Congratulations to them all! This scheme gives each one the opportunity to show the areas of their practices that are truly excellent for rabbits – and also shows rabbit owners that they are genuinely serious and committed to the welfare of the pet rabbits in their care.”
RWAF chief executive Rae Walters added: “For nearly two decades, RWAF’s Rabbit Friendly Vet Scheme has played a vital role in connecting rabbit caregivers with knowledgeable, rabbit-savvy veterinary teams. The 2026 relaunch represents the most comprehensive update to date, reinforcing our mission to ensure rabbits receive the specialist care they require and deserve.”
