In this episode of So Let's Talk About Pets, host Victoria dives into the fascinating world of rabbit welfare with two experts, Rae Walters from the Rabbit Welfare Association and Sue Jeavons from Harper Adams University. The episode explores the many aspects of rabbit husbandry, the welfare challenges they face, and the importance of proper care. From understanding their needs to ensuring they live in safe environments, this episode is packed with essential advice for current and future rabbit owners.

Key Takeaways:

Rabbit Welfare Challenges: Rae and Sue highlight the lack of legislation in England compared to Scotland, where rabbit breeders are licensed and inspected, ensuring better welfare standards.

Adoption vs. Breeders: They discuss the importance of adopting rabbits from reputable rescue centres or licensed breeders, advocating for proper breeding standards and transparency.

The Importance of Space: Rabbits require much more space than typically provided in traditional hutches. The recommended minimum space for rabbits is 3 meters by 2 meters by 1 meter.

Rabbits’ Natural Behaviour: Understanding a rabbit's need for companionship, space, and enrichment is key to ensuring they thrive.

Health Care: Regular veterinary care, vaccinations, and a balanced diet are critical for a rabbit’s health and wellbeing.

Best Moments:

"Rabbits are far more clever than people give them credit for—they can be trained just like a dog or a cat."

"If you’re going to buy a rabbit, ask to see their facilities—if a breeder refuses, that’s a huge red flag."

"Rabbits need to be part of the family. They shouldn’t just be put in a hutch outside—they deserve to be inside, integrated, and cared for."

About All Tails Media

Victoria is the founder and lead photographer at All Tails Media, combining her expertise in animal behaviour and media to create impactful visual content. Having studied animal behaviour and welfare at Harper Adams University and qualified as a dog behaviourist, Victoria then earned her Master Photographer certification with The MPA. Mentored by the UK’s only multi-award-winning grandmaster, she celebrates 20 years as a professional photographer in 2025.

All Tails Media offers creative media solutions tailored for pet sector businesses, find out more here: https://www.alltailsmedia.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of So Let’s Talk About Pets, host Victoria explores the topic of travelling with your dog, focusing on how to manage travel sickness, anxiety, and fear while on the road. She shares a case study from her work with Life With Dogs, discussing a dog’s fear of car travel and how to desensitise and counter-condition these behaviours. Victoria also interviews Ben, a vet from Market Town Vets in Shrewsbury, who offers advice on travel health and how to manage heat exhaustion and other concerns during summer trips.

Key Takeaways

Desensitising Travel Anxiety: Working slowly with your dog and using positive reinforcement helps alleviate anxiety. Building confidence through calm exposure is key to overcoming car travel fear.

Recognising Fear vs. Sickness: Travel sickness and anxiety can look similar in dogs, with signs like panting, agitation, or excessive salivation. Careful observation and a process of elimination can help determine the cause.

Using Treats and Toys: Treats and interactive toys, like Kongs, can help make the car a more positive space for dogs, providing a calm environment while they adjust to the car.

Preventing Heat Exhaustion: In hot weather, always ensure your dog has plenty of water and shade, and avoid travel during the hottest parts of the day, especially for brachycephalic breeds.

Safety on the Beach: Be cautious about sand ingestion, seawater, and sharp objects when visiting dog-friendly beaches. Always supervise your dog to prevent injury or illness.

Key Moments

“The key to overcoming car travel anxiety is letting the dog choose their own pace. Never push them beyond their comfort zone.”

“Start with short, calm car journeys and gradually work up to longer trips.”

“When it comes to travel sickness, always check with your vet for the best course of action—sometimes it’s a matter of treating both anxiety and sickness.”

“For beach trips, make sure your dog stays hydrated and watch for signs of discomfort from the heat or sand.”

About All Tails Media

Victoria is the founder and lead photographer at All Tails Media, combining her expertise in animal behaviour and media to create impactful visual content. Having studied animal behaviour and welfare at Harper Adams University and qualified as a dog behaviourist, Victoria then earned her Master Photographer certification with The MPA. Mentored by the UK’s only multi-award-winning grandmaster, she celebrates 20 years as a professional photographer in 2025.

All Tails Media offers creative media solutions tailored for pet sector businesses, find out more here: https://www.alltailsmedia.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of So Let’s Talk About Pets, host Victoria from All Tales Media explores Crufts 2025, sharing highlights from the world’s biggest dog show. She speaks with therapy dog volunteers, service dog owners, and breed advocates, celebrating the impact of dogs in people’s lives. From heartwarming rescue stories to impressive canine performances, this episode captures the magic of Crufts and the deep bond between humans and their dogs.

Key Takeaways

Therapy Dogs Making a Difference: Therapy Dogs Nationwide presented their Volunteer of the Year award to Fiona Clark, whose Labradoodle, Nico, brings joy to care home residents.

Service Dogs Changing Lives: Support dogs like Rafa help individuals with disabilities, providing stability, retrieving items, and even seeking assistance when needed.

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf: These specially trained dogs alert their owners to essential sounds, from fire alarms to doorbells, helping them regain independence.

Golden Retriever Display Team: This crowd-favorite team wowed audiences with their obedience routines set to music, showcasing the intelligence and versatility of the breed.

Dogs for Wildlife Fundraising: Eight-year-old Paige raised over £2,000 for rhino conservation through a charity walk, proving that passion for animals starts young.

Meet the Breeds – Bloodhounds: Owners shared insights into this scent-driven breed, highlighting their affectionate nature and tracking abilities.

Key Moments

"Therapy dogs bring comfort and joy—watching residents light up when they visit is truly magical."

"Service dogs like Rafa don’t just assist—they transform lives by giving their owners independence."

"Golden Retrievers may have a routine, but they love adding their own personality to every performance!"

"Paige’s dedication to wildlife conservation at just eight years old is truly inspiring."

About All Tails Media

Victoria is the founder and lead photographer at All Tails Media, combining her expertise in animal behaviour and media to create impactful visual content. With a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from Harper Adams University and a qualification as a dog behaviourist, she later earned her Master Photographer certification with The MPA. Mentored by the UK’s only multi-award-winning grandmaster, she celebrates 20 years as a professional photographer in 2025.

All Tails Media offers creative media solutions tailored for pet sector businesses, find out more here: https://www.alltailsmedia.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.