Rethinking Rabbits: Integrating the New Shelter Housing Guidelines (LIVE)

Course overview

Domestic rabbits are among the most common small mammals housed in animal shelters, yet until recently, there were no comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines to inform their care and housing. In 2025, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians released the first set of Guidelines for Humane Rabbit Housing in Animal Shelters, developed by a panel of experts in shelter medicine, behavior, and animal welfare. This session will introduce veterinarians and veterinary technicians to the principles behind these new guidelines, including the scientific foundation, the process by which recommendations were developed, and the core housing elements shown to reduce stress, improve health, and support positive outcomes for rabbits in shelter care. Presenters will highlight both the practical and welfare-driven aspects of rabbit housing design, with emphasis on considerations unique to rabbits as prey species, such as space allocation, flooring, hiding opportunities, enrichment, and group versus individual housing. By grounding daily practice in these standards, shelters can provide safer, more effective, and more humane housing environments for rabbits, ultimately improving capacity for care and supporting live outcomes.