Retail chain Pets Corner has been praised by leading welfare group RWAF for its care of pet rabbits and been named Pet Retailer of the Year by the organisation.

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund was impressed with the level of consideration Pets Corner gives to rabbit welfare in their business practices. 

As part of its 'A Hutch is Not Enough' campaign, RWAF is constantly working with retailers and manufacturers to improve products on sale for rabbits and the care advice given to customers. 

The welfare group feel it’s important that credit is given where retailers show good ethical practices, and hold these up as examples to other members of the pet retail trade. With that in mind RWAF asked its members to nominate the retailer that they thought showed most consideration for the welfare of rabbits in their day-to-day business.

"The winner was a surprise to us because the store actually sells rabbits, something that does not usually sit comfortably with the RWAF and its members," said Rae Todd, of RWAF. "However, Pets Corner did receive the most nominations  from our members.

"Pets Corner, which has 80 stores across the UK, sells an average of five per store every year. Rather than having a stock of rabbits in the back replenishing those that are sold, the rabbits in the store are the only ones on the premises. 

"Pets Corner was nominated because it sell 6ft hutches and exercise runs, which at six feet, are amongst the largest for sale in any pet store. 

"The company guarantees the sex of the rabbits it sells, and always sells in pairs unless they are to be paired with an existing (neutered) rabbit. 

"Our members were also impressed with the quality of the care advice given at the point of sale and the fact that questions are asked of potential buyers to find out if the accommodation in which the rabbits are to be housed is to the right standard."

The RWAF said it didn't want to be seen as endorsing Pets Corner, but admitted the company won the Pet Retailer of the Year award because of the level of consideration it gives to rabbit welfare in its business practices. 

"We have worked closely with Pets Corner and noticed how keen they have been to make changes for the better," said Rae. "They have told us how thrilled they are to have been recognised in this way and will continue to improve the standard of their products and their focus on welfare."

Dean Richmond, of Pets Corner, was thrilled with the award. He said: "We put animal welfare before any other consideration at Pets Corner and it is amazing to have this recognised by such a respected organisation such as the RWAF. 

"We will continue to push the boundaries within our industry to encourage our competitors to constantly improve a pets entire life. We hope this is another step in the right direction for the trade to continually improve welfare."

This was the inaugural RWAF Retailer of the Year award and RWAF hopes the concept will gather momentum.

Rae added: "We hope that as word spreads, more retailers will be nominated, and more examples of good welfare standards can be used to improve the industry as a whole."

Whilst RWAF was keen to praise retailers who are moving in the right direction it said it could not ignore those stores who do not appear to be considering the welfare of rabbits in their business models.

"Nominations for the worst retailer were mostly what we expected - for independent retailers selling small hutches, no exercise runs and giving poor care advice to their customers. However, a much larger retailer was nominated for even more serious concerns. We will share this with you very soon," said Rae.

For more information about RWAF and its ''A Hutch is Not Enough' campaign visit  www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk