I have received this reply from the BBC - I sent them an email expressing my concern after the first programme about the use of domesticated rabbits and the number of potential offspring involved. It is the reply I expected which I am sure all of us who have complained will receive, trotting out words such as 'welfare', 'experts', 'professional'. It does not in any way, shape or form make me feel any better about the programme. It seems that the breeder who supplied the rabbits already supplies rabbits to 'their network of reputable pet shops' with 'access to veterinary facilities where possible'. Could this be the most prolific chain of pet shops I wonder?
Thank you for raising your concerns for the rabbits featured in The Burrowers.
Your concerns have been discussed with the production team responsible for the programme and we would like to reassure you that at all stages of production, animal welfare and ethics were and still are paramount.
The production team has and continues to work extensively with leading experts in their particular fields relating to this ground breaking natural history project, from the initial stages through to the post production husbandry and re-housing of all the animals involved, and to the re-homing of the rabbits.
None of the rabbits born in the replica warren have been passed to rescue centres as the production was fully aware of the pressures institutions like these are experiencing. The decision was taken not to add to those pressures, and to instead work with an established breeder linked to a network of reputable pet shops, which also have a demonstrable commitment to animal welfare.
The breeder is extremely experienced and has an excellent track record. Furthermore the breeder is subject to ongoing checks from the council, completed by an Animal Health and Welfare Officer which regulates the pet shop licence required in order to breed rabbits.
The breeder was well-known to our animal experts on the farm, and gave welfare advice - along with other independent experts - about the rabbit welfare during filming and visited the animals regularly. This meant the breeder was confident in their ability to successfully and appropriately re-home these animals as part of their ongoing work.
Whilst at the breeder, the young rabbits have never been kept individually, have been kept in compatible groups, housed under professional husbandry standards and then transferred to pet shops in compatible groups.
To date, a significant proportion of the rabbits featured in the show have already been passed by the breeder to their network of reputable pet shops for re-homing. These pet stores are of a standard that they have access to veterinary facilities where possible, and have clear policies that a) rabbits are recommended to be sold in pairs due to the sociability of this species b) customers buying rabbits are advised that they should be neutered due to behaviour and health needs at the appropriate age and c) customers buying or considering buying a rabbit are advised on rabbit care, behaviour and needs. All of this supporting what is noted in the Animal Welfare Act of 2006 for owner's duty of care.
In addition to the above, some of the rabbits remain in compatible groups at the farm featured in the series or have been rehoused, in pairs, by the animal experts based there directly.
We hope that this response demonstrates that from the start of the project a year ago the ethics and welfare of all the animals featured was front and centre to each decision taken; from the early planning stages through to what happens to them after the filming was completed. Clearly it was vital that the rabbits, unlike the badgers and water voles, were not released into the wild, but rehomed through experienced and reputable channels with properly briefed new owners, at the earliest possible opportunity.
We're delighted by the audience response to the series, and the opportunity it has provided to reveal more about rabbit behaviour and their needs.
Thank you for raising your concerns for the rabbits featured in The Burrowers.
Your concerns have been discussed with the production team responsible for the programme and we would like to reassure you that at all stages of production, animal welfare and ethics were and still are paramount.
The production team has and continues to work extensively with leading experts in their particular fields relating to this ground breaking natural history project, from the initial stages through to the post production husbandry and re-housing of all the animals involved, and to the re-homing of the rabbits.
None of the rabbits born in the replica warren have been passed to rescue centres as the production was fully aware of the pressures institutions like these are experiencing. The decision was taken not to add to those pressures, and to instead work with an established breeder linked to a network of reputable pet shops, which also have a demonstrable commitment to animal welfare.
The breeder is extremely experienced and has an excellent track record. Furthermore the breeder is subject to ongoing checks from the council, completed by an Animal Health and Welfare Officer which regulates the pet shop licence required in order to breed rabbits.
The breeder was well-known to our animal experts on the farm, and gave welfare advice - along with other independent experts - about the rabbit welfare during filming and visited the animals regularly. This meant the breeder was confident in their ability to successfully and appropriately re-home these animals as part of their ongoing work.
Whilst at the breeder, the young rabbits have never been kept individually, have been kept in compatible groups, housed under professional husbandry standards and then transferred to pet shops in compatible groups.
To date, a significant proportion of the rabbits featured in the show have already been passed by the breeder to their network of reputable pet shops for re-homing. These pet stores are of a standard that they have access to veterinary facilities where possible, and have clear policies that a) rabbits are recommended to be sold in pairs due to the sociability of this species b) customers buying rabbits are advised that they should be neutered due to behaviour and health needs at the appropriate age and c) customers buying or considering buying a rabbit are advised on rabbit care, behaviour and needs. All of this supporting what is noted in the Animal Welfare Act of 2006 for owner's duty of care.
In addition to the above, some of the rabbits remain in compatible groups at the farm featured in the series or have been rehoused, in pairs, by the animal experts based there directly.
We hope that this response demonstrates that from the start of the project a year ago the ethics and welfare of all the animals featured was front and centre to each decision taken; from the early planning stages through to what happens to them after the filming was completed. Clearly it was vital that the rabbits, unlike the badgers and water voles, were not released into the wild, but rehomed through experienced and reputable channels with properly briefed new owners, at the earliest possible opportunity.
We're delighted by the audience response to the series, and the opportunity it has provided to reveal more about rabbit behaviour and their needs.
