Liberta UK has won the Best Hutch and Run for 2013 in a competition run by the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fun as part of its campaign to encourage pet owners to buy as big a hutch as they can...

For the past three years RWAF has tried to find the 'best hutch and run' on the market. 

Rae Todd, of RWAF, said: "There are lots of benefits to retailers and rabbits to make sure that their customers buy both a hutch and a safe exercise run, and once again we were really pleased to see the improvements made by manufacturers and that more products that meet our minimum guidelines are available to retailers and rabbit owners."  

In line with its A Hutch is Not Enough campaign and to promote the production of accommodation that allows rabbits to display their natural behaviours, RWAF asked manufacturers to submit a hutch of at least 6ft in length along with an exercise run – because pet rabbits need both – and the entries were judged on four criteria: space, ease of use, safety and aesthetics.
 
"Liberta came out on top because we particularly liked the flexibility of their hutches and run," said Rae.

"The run fits either on the end of the hutch or underneath it depending on the customer's space and preference, and the ability of the rabbits too, of course.

"We encourage flexibility of this kind so owners have as much chance as possible to provide the best possible environment for their rabbits whatever the shape of the space they have available."

Liberta UK managing director Paul Lawrence was delighted that one of his company's products had been acknowledged in this way by RWAF.

"Liberta thought it was important to support all the good work RWAF have been doing over the past few years," said Paul.

"We believe that all the RWAF work will be in vein if they are not supported by manufacturers, as the suitable products will not be available to purchase by trade and consumers alike.

"Liberta are very pleased and proud to not only be actively supporting this great campaign but also excited be be informed that we won the Best Hutch and Run 2013.

"We put a great deal of work into creating products that are practical and user-friendly, developing a hutch and run system that can potentially offer twice the hutch space recommended by RWAF.

"The complete set up consists of two hutches and a run. The consumer can add any one of the additional hutches and the run at any stage to make a practical and spacious rabbit kingdom."

Rae added: "Customers are becoming more aware of the needs of pet rabbits so it makes sense for retailers to make welfare a big part of their business model - good welfare is good business."

If any retailers are interested in signing up to RWAF's Retailer Charter or just want to know a bit more about what's involved then visit rabbitwelfare.co.uk/retailer.htm