SPCA warns pet owners of virus risk to petsSUPPLIED SPCA chief scientific officer Dr Arnja Dale says the SPCA and other groups have "grave concerns" about the impact of the new virus strain on animal welfare. A large number of pet rabbits are at risk of contracting a deadly new virus strain to be released around the country soon, the SPCA's chief scientific officer says. "Susceptible wild and pet rabbits can be infected if exposed to the virus. There are about 116,000 pet rabbits in New Zealand, with 3 per cent of households having an average of two rabbits, Dale said. "Maintaining up-to-date vaccinations, along with measures to reduce the potential exposure of rabbits to the virus, are currently the recommended steps to try and keep pet rabbits safe."

Source: Stuff February 28, 2018 00:43 UTC