Rabbit Awareness Week Highlights Importance of Vaccination Amid Ongoing Myxomatosis Outbreak
The GSPCA is urging all rabbit owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated as the charity continues to respond to exceptionally high numbers of wild rabbits suffering from myxomatosis across Guernsey.
As part of Rabbit Awareness Week, the GSPCA's Small Animal Team, affectionately known as the "Smallies Team", is sharing daily information and advice to help promote rabbit welfare and responsible ownership. This year's campaign is especially important as the island continues to experience a widespread outbreak of myxomatosis, with GSPCA staff and volunteers regularly caring for double-figure numbers of affected rabbits, day and night, seven days a week, alongside receiving reports of many more sick animals across the island.
The charity is also reminding owners that Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) and RHDV2 continue to pose a serious threat to rabbits in Guernsey. In addition to the island-wide myxomatosis outbreak, cases have also been identified on Lihou, highlighting the need for vigilance wherever rabbits are kept.
The GSPCA is encouraging all rabbit owners to speak to their veterinary practice about vaccination programmes that can help protect pet rabbits from these devastating diseases.
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, said:
"Rabbit Awareness Week provides an important opportunity to highlight the serious risks facing rabbits in Guernsey at present. Our team continues to help very high numbers of rabbits suffering from myxomatosis, often reaching double figures every day as we respond to calls around the clock.”
"Myxomatosis is a horrendous disease which causes immense suffering, and alongside this we continue to see concerns relating to RHDV and RHDV2. Vaccination is one of the most important steps rabbit owners can take to help protect their pets, and we strongly encourage anyone with rabbits to speak to their vet and ensure vaccinations are up to date.”
"With the current warm weather, it is also vital that rabbit owners check their pets regularly throughout the day. Hutches, runs and enclosures should be kept in shaded or cool areas with access to fresh water at all times. Rabbits are very susceptible to heat-related illness, and simple measures can make a huge difference to their welfare.”
"Another issue we continue to see in some areas of Guernsey is evidence that wild rabbit populations appear to include rabbits that have originated from domestic pets, with a variety of unusual coat colours being observed. This highlights the importance of responsible ownership, including neutering pet rabbits to help prevent unwanted breeding and reduce the risk of rabbits being abandoned or escaping and contributing to feral populations.”
"If you are considering offering a rabbit a loving home, we often have rabbits looking for new families through our Adoption Centre and would encourage people to visit our website. We are also incredibly grateful for the support of the community which helps us continue providing care to sick, injured and abandoned animals."
Throughout Rabbit Awareness Week, the GSPCA Smallies Team will be sharing advice and information on rabbit care, welfare, housing, health and responsible ownership through the charity's social media channels.
Anyone interested in rehoming a rabbit can view animals currently looking for homes at:
www.gspca.org.gg
Those wishing to support the charity's work caring for rabbits and other animals can donate online at:
https://giving.gg/charities/1/guernsey-society-for-the-prevention-of-cruelty-to-animals-gspca
The GSPCA is asking islanders to remain vigilant and report sick or injured wildlife to the charity's Animal Emergency Service on 257261 or you can take them to the GSPCA or your closest vet practice, while taking extra care to ensure their own pet rabbits are protected through vaccination, appropriate housing, regular welfare checks and responsible neutering.
Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal
To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To see animals looking for new homes
https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
To see our youtube channel and lots of videos please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
- Microchip Month June 2026
- Take Your Dog to Work Day Friday 26th June 2026
- Viaer Marchi Monday 6th July 2026
- Kitten Day 10th July 2026
- World Snake Day 16th July 2026
- Guinea Pig Appreciation Day 16th July 2026
- Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 23rd – 27th July 2026
- Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
- South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 8th August 2026
- West Show 12th-13th August 2026
- World Lizard Day 14th August 2026
- North Show 19th-20th August 2026
- International Dog Day 26th August 2026
- World Animal Month October 2026
- World Animal Day 4th October 2026
- Feral Cat Day 16th October 2026
- National cat Day 29th October 2026
- Halt Term Spooky Tours October 2026 to be confirmed
- Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog12/11
- Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat26/11
- Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
- World Wildlife Conservation Day 4th December 2026
- Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”
“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “
“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
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