Valley Veterinary Hospital in Cardiff has been awarded the first Gold Standard Award for rabbit care in Wales by the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF).

There are only 11 other practices in the UK that hold the Gold Standard Award for rabbit care. To achieve it, Valley Veterinary Hospital had to demonstrate excellence across all aspects of rabbit care, including pain relief and management, dentistry and airway management.

The practice was commended on its top-quality facilities, including a dedicated exotic department with separate waiting and consulting rooms, as well as kennel areas for rabbits to keep them away from larger animals, relieving them of stress and anxiety.

Valley Veterinary Hospital exotic animals specialist, Tariq Abou-Zahr, BVSc CertAVP(ZooMed) MRCVS (pictured right), said: "I am absolutely delighted that Valley Veterinary Hospital has met the grade to achieve the first RWAF gold status in Wales. I believe that rabbits are just as deserving of excellent veterinary care as cats and dogs, and I am so pleased that I work in a veterinary hospital where we have the facilities to provide this standard of care.

"Rabbit medicine has always been an interest of mine, and I’m very grateful to Vet Partners for investing in such great facilities and to RWAF for considering our application and granting us Gold status."

Applications for the Awards are assessed by Dr Richard Saunders BSc Hons MSB CBiol DZooMed MRCVS, one of the UK’s leading specialists on rabbit welfare and veterinary advisor for RWAF. 

Dr Richard Saunders BSc Hons MSB CBiol DZooMed MRCVS, who assesses applications on behalf of the RWAF, said: 

"As a dedicated rabbit charity aiming to improve the wellbeing and welfare of domestic rabbits throughout the UK, our requirements to meet a Gold standard in rabbit care are very high. Valley Vets has met all of these standards and I’m delighted to reward a practice in Wales who have demonstrated that they are as passionate about rabbit care as we are.”

The RWAF has published a list of award-winning rabbit-savvy practices on its website which can be viewed here: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

Any veterinary practices interested in applying for the Rabbit Friendly Vet List should visit https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-vets/vet-membership/ 

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