Latest email from Wilko's:
Hi Jenny
We previously forwarded your comments on to our supplier and they have now replied. We have made some amendment on our website with reference to the size of the Animal to be housed.
The website now states "Not suitable for large Rabbits". It's not suitable for any rabbits.
http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/Rabbitshack-Products/Rabbit-Hutch-Medium-RS-101/invt/rs00026?htxt=PsAGyAqy%2FDSGVBgOHPBfATKVETOKIWHcwqoICuDrG%2FxTcDPfxIrYzUvEu76RzzM6wutKTeo9AOCB%0AtDs76aYYKg%3D%3D
Please see Comments from our supplier and RSPCA information they looked into.
Were these the only items of RSPCA information they looked into?
Supplier Comments
We take all comments seriously and note the following. Our range of hutches are compatible to attach to our exercise run making the
overall area for most small animal large enough within the guidelines.
The guidelines relate to the hutch only. The run is suggested as an extra, not as part of the guideline dimensions for the hutch.
The guidelines of 4ft x 2ft x 2ft are always on the optimized side and to the best of my knowledge there a very few or any companies at all that currently make the hutch outside these measurements.
Not correct. See eBay and other online supplier sites.
The majority of customers wish to have as large a hutch as possible but either don’t have the space to fit the hutch or don’t wish to pay the price.
If the customer cannot provide adequate accommodation - don't have a rabbit.
Reading some sites they specify you have a shed not a hutch which is not practical for many rabbit owners.
COLOR="Red"]If the customer cannot provide adequate accommodation - don't have a rabbit.[/COLOR]
We have sold many thousand over the yrs and only received 2 reports of the size not been within the RSPCA guidelines usually from a competitor.
Well I know that I sent one report about this and I'm not a competitor. Fluffers sent another one. These are unlikely to be the only ones, so this statement is not correct.
All hutches on the internet or within stores are all like for like within centimetres so would mean there are a lot of undersized hutches currently on the market.
Possibly so. P@H, Argos, Zooplus, etc and numerous high-street pet shops sell inadequate hutches, but that's hardly a justification.
As an analogy, there are lots of rabbits for sale via free-ads, but that's not an excuse for selling more.
RSPC Guide Lines
If they are going to quote them, they should spell 'RSPCA' correctly.
Facts
Rabbits are athletic animals. They need the opportunity to hop, run, jump, dig, stand fully upright on their back legs, and stretch out when lying down.
A rabbit must be able to avoid things that scare it. Rabbits are a prey species and must be able to hide in a secure place, away from the sight and smell of predators (e.g. foxes, cats, dogs, ferrets and birds of prey).
Living in a draughty, damp, hot, poorly ventilated or dirty environment may cause your rabbit to suffer and become ill.
A rabbit needs regular access to an appropriate place to go to the toilet.
Rabbits are intelligent. If your rabbit is bored, and doesn’t have enough to do, it may suffer.
Rabbits are inquisitive. If there are hazards within their environment they may easily injure themselves.
Things you should do
Provide your rabbit with a secure living environment that is large enough for it to exercise in and stand up fully on its back legs.
You should provide both a large exercise area and a secure shelter where your rabbit can rest, feel safe and is protected from predators and extremes of weather and temperature. Ensure all areas of your rabbit’s environment are well ventilated, dry and draught-free.
Make sure your rabbit has constant access to safe hiding places where it can escape if it feels afraid.
Allow your rabbit to exercise regularly.
Provide enough bedding to keep your rabbit warm. Bedding should be safe for your rabbit to eat, e.g. dust-free straw or hay.
Give your rabbit regular access to a suitable place where it can go to the toilet, separate to where it eats and sleeps.
Clean the housing and toilet areas regularly.
If you are going away, try to find someone to care for, and meet all your rabbit’s welfare needs within its familiar home. If boarding your rabbit, try to ease the move by keeping grouped rabbits together and taking familiar items, such as toys, along too.
When you transport your rabbit make sure it is comfortable and safe at all times. Putting familiar smelling items in the carrier and the new environment can help make your rabbit feel at ease.
Ensure the size and temperature of any place you leave your rabbit (including your vehicle) is appropriate.
Make sure that where your rabbit lives is safe, secure and free from hazards.
I Hope this information is of help
This is talking to the converted. It's the "motherhood and apple pie" argument. The important thing is doing something about it.
Kind Regards
Paula Day
Wilkinson Plus Team
08456 08 08 07