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student Heather Lambert has presented at the UFAW International Animal Welfare Conference, sharing research examining the uptake of vaccinations for pet rabbits in the UK.

Heather's interest in the healthcare of rabbits and other less commonly owned companion animals led her to the INSPIRE programme, which provides funded opportunities for vet students to experience research.

The programme is coordinated by  and supported by the . HKVS, alongside Keele Medical School and the University of Liverpool, were awarded an INSPIRE grant to showcase the scope of veterinary research, whether chosen as a full-time career path or as an integral component of clinical practice.

Heather said: “There were a variety of INSPIRE research projects to get involved in, however a project using PDSA data to investigate rabbit preventative healthcare piqued my interest.

“Unfortunately, the welfare needs of many rabbits in the UK are not met for various reasons which commonly include inadequate housing provisions, lack of companionship with other rabbits, and lack of preventative healthcare such as vaccination. Rabbit welfare has always been a topic I am passionate about, and striving to raise awareness of the welfare status of pet rabbits In the UK is something I feel very strongly about.”

Heather worked on the project alongside Emma Tipton and Barbora King from the PDSA, and Clare Ellis from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Lancashire.

“Our project entailed statistical analyses of data collected by the PDSA in their PAW Report surveys. Low uptake of vaccinations is a key welfare issue for pet rabbits in the UK so we studied this in our project and focused on owner demographics that we found to be predictors for rabbit vaccination status.”

The research project was presented at the INSPIRE Vet Student Research Conference held at HKVS in November 2024, with an abstract subsequently accepted by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) for inclusion in their international conference, which took place in June 2025.

Heather delivered the findings in a short talk. She said: “I outlined the main reasons that survey participants stated that they chose not to vaccinate their rabbits as well as the owner demographics that were identified as predictors for unvaccinated pet rabbits, before discussing how these findings could be used to improve rabbit preventative healthcare and welfare in the UK.

“Our suggestions included pet rabbit breeders, rehomers, and pet shop staff endeavouring to discuss the financial commitments required to provide rabbits with adequate healthcare with prospective pet owners, and pet sales staff and veterinary health care professionals aiming to improve discussion with pet rabbit owners regarding disease risk factors and the importance of rabbit preventative healthcare.”

Dr Zoe Davies, Lecturer in Veterinary Sciences and INSPIRE Academic Lead at HKVS, said: “The INSPIRE funding has given a number of our students the opportunity to be actively involved in research across a range of areas: we have projects running in 3D anatomical modelling, calf health, and canine hydrotherapy as we speak! It’s great to see students like Heather not only getting involved in the research but going out and presenting their work at academic conferences too. Congratulations to Heather on this significant achievement.”

Heather graduated with a Biology MSci and spent three years working in the biotech and biopharmaceutical industries before applying to study in 2021. Reflecting on her journey to study veterinary medicine, she said: “Although I gained great experience from these jobs, over time, I realised I never quite got over my passion for animals and veterinary medicine and I found myself increasingly more interested in current animal welfare topics.

“Since accepting my offer to Harper & Keele, without sounding too clichéd, I have finally felt like I have found my niche or 'calling' in veterinary medicine and I can't imagine myself doing anything else now.”