The highly anticipated Malvern Autumn Show took place from the 27th to 29th September, drawing large crowds from across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and beyond.
This well-attended event showcased local foods and produce, family games, fun activities for all ages, and with a variety of animals for visitors to meet.
Cheltenham Animal Shelter is proud to have been invited to participate, seeing it not only as a fantastic opportunity to raise our profile but also as a chance to promote a deeper message about animal welfare.
The reason for change
Historically, many agricultural shows are known for showcasing various breeds and pedigrees of animals, including rabbits.
Sadly, the conditions these rabbits are kept and shown in is not necessarily to a good welfare standard. Rows and rows of rabbits are presented in small cages where they are unable move freely and with nowhere to hide, forage or exhibit any natural behaviours to minimise their stress.
As rabbits are prey animals, they are experts at hiding signs of stress so what can seemingly look like a quiet rabbit can in fact be one hiding extreme levels of trauma and discontent.
In a ground-breaking change, The New Forest Show stood to end this practice by instead introducing a new ethical ‘rabbit village’, showcasing rabbits from a local rescue organisation, in more spacious and natural enclosures, with access to enrichment, toys and companionship.
This was a pioneering, positive move for rabbit awareness and understanding, as rabbits still sadly remain the most neglected pet in the UK. We are continually learning more about rabbits, their behaviour, and their needs.
On the back of the great success at The New Forest Show, the Three Counties Shows opted to follow suit and invited Cheltenham Animal Shelter to join this campaign, along with support from the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF).
Our involvement
We are passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and encouraging better awareness of rabbit wellbeing and we were thrilled to be invited along to be a part of this initiative.
With 2 very large, secured enclosures on display, we were able to take along a small selection of our resident bunnies to enjoy a relaxing and enriching day, and showcasing just what a rabbit pet owner should be providing for their pets.
Jace and Fawn, Bandit and Bree and a gorgeous litter of baby rabbits joined us over the three days where they were able to explore, hop, play and really show what a happy rabbit looks like!
This educational event also enabled us to provide visitors with current rabbit advice, as well as focussing on rabbit essentials: housing, diet, veterinary care, behaviour and companionship.
We also included a popular interactive craft table, where we were able to share some fantastic tips for people of all ages to help make fun, enrichment toys for rabbits and guinea pigs and only using simple items like cardboard tubes and string.
The aim was to show how our rabbits need engagement and activities to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated, much like our pet dogs or cats.
The future
This year 75,000 people attended the Malvern Autumn Show and we can only hope that we have helped to share some much-needed rabbit welfare advice. But, more importantly, only happy rabbits were present!
As an organisation we look forward to supporting better rabbit welfare and helping to break the myths many people sadly carry about rabbits.
If you are in need of any advice or support about rabbits or to better understand your bunny, you can talk to our team at smallanimals@gawa.org.uk
You can find out more about the problems with traditional rabbit shows by reading ‘The Dark World of the Rabbit Fancy’ and can join the fight by signing this petition to prohibit inhumane rabbit shows.
