Methods for handling rabbits in the UK and Ireland

What is it about?

This study used a survey to establish the different methods that people who own or work with rabbits use to handle them. As well as asking for information such as what their rabbit use was and where they received training no rabbit handling, the survey included images of a rabbit being held in several different ways and asked respondents to state whether they used the method and if so what for. We also asked how comfortable they felt using the different handling methods as well as how they felt the rabbit was experiencing the handling that way. The study showed some interesting trends in which methods were most commonly in use, as well as showing differences between people working with rabbits for different reasons.

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Why is it important?

To date, there is very little work conducted on how rabbits respond to different handling methods. By identifying the primary methods in use, this study provides the foundation for continued research evaluating how rabbits respond to the different handling methods and hopefully will help in identifying the lowest stress method for use.

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