Published: 05 Nov 2020 | Last Updated: 05 Nov 2020 17:17:41

Dr Nadene Stapleton is a vet at the Royal Veterinary College’s Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, which has also been shortlisted for “Best Rabbit Practice of the Year” at The Burgess Excel Vet Awards.

Dr Nadene Stapleton

A veterinary surgeon at the Royal Veterinary College’s Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in Camden has been shortlisted for “UK Rabbit Vet of the Year” at the inaugural The Burgess Excel Vet Awards. The practice itself has also been shortlisted in the “Best Rabbit Practice of the Year” category, after receiving several nominations from clients and the public.

Nominations were judged by a panel of vets and rabbit experts who shortlisted the finalists in the three categories: UK Rabbit Vet of the Year, Rabbit Nurse of the Year and Rabbit Veterinary Practice of the Year.

Dr Nadene Stapleton was shortlisted for “UK Rabbit Vet of the Year” due to the incredible contributions she makes to rabbit health and welfare. Dr Stapleton oversaw the attainment of the RWAF Gold Standard Veterinary Practice accreditation for rabbits at the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital. She also played a key role in the creation of recommended safe guidelines for anaesthesia in rabbits for general practitioners.

A member of the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund, Dr Stapleton works to improve the standard of care of rabbits through teaching veterinary students, nurses and owners. She often writes about rabbits for various journals and magazines and has two bunnies of her own – Elmer and Nosh.

Finalists were selected based on their exceptional knowledge of rabbit care and husbandry, as well as evidence of educating the public on how to care for rabbits correctly. The Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital is the leading university teaching animal hospital in London, providing vet services in north London since 1933. The team includes vets and vet nurses with a special interest and advanced qualifications in the treatment of exotic pets and small mammals – including rabbits.

Dr Nadene Stapleton, veterinary surgeon and teaching clinician at the BSAH and a member of the exotic and small mammal first opinion and referral service, said:

“I am very excited and incredibly grateful to our clients for nominating me for the first ‘UK Rabbit Vet of the Year’! Thank you to everyone who voted for me and my colleagues at the practice - we really appreciate your support. For the team to also be chosen as finalists for the UK's top veterinary practice for rabbits is another fantastic honour. Delivering the best standards in rabbit healthcare is truly a team effort here at the RVC Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital.”

Anne Richings, hospital director at the BSAH, said:

“I am thrilled to see our Hospital shortlisted as a finalist for the ‘Best Rabbit Practice of the Year’ award. The expertise and quality of care provided by the RVC exotics service at the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital is truly inspiring and our whole team appreciate the nominations from our clients during a difficult year having worked continuously throughout the pandemic. Thank you to all those who have supported and recommended our service.”

The Burgess Excel Vet Awards celebrate the hard work of rabbit-friendly vets, vet nurses and practices in the UK. Organised by Burgess Pet Care in conjunction with the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF), the awards praise the efforts of vets that help to improve the health and welfare of pet rabbits. Winners will be announced on the Burgess Pet Care Facebook page on 13 November.


Notes to Editors

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About the RVC

  • The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. It was the first in the world to hold full accreditation from AVMA, EAEVE, RCVS and AVBC.
  • The RVC is the top veterinary school in the UK and Europe, and ranked as the world’s second highest veterinary school in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2020.
  • The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.
  • In 2017, the RVC received a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) – the highest rating a university can receive.
  • A research led institution with 79% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
  • The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.


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