Pippa Middleton's Berkshire Farm Bans Animal Petting Citing Welfare Concerns

Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews have made significant animal welfare improvements at their £1.5 million Bucklebury Farm in Berkshire by ending all petting sessions for rabbits, guinea pigs, and young goats. This change came after the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RAWF) reached out to 573 farms, with Bucklebury Farm being the only one to respond immediately by phasing out "pat-a-pet" sessions and investing in spacious, enriched housing for the animals. The farm now prioritizes animal choice, allowing animals to decide whether they want to interact with visitors, and educates guests on animal behavior, emphasizing that stillness in rabbits often indicates fear rather than relaxation. These changes mark a departure from previous practices and align with RAWF's "Don't Bug Bunnies" campaign, which highlights the poor living conditions and welfare concerns at many farm parks. Bucklebury Farm is collaborating with RAWF to establish new Farm Park Welfare Standards to promote better animal protection across the industry and educate other farms and rabbit owners. The initiative aims to set an example of proper animal welfare, focusing on the wellbeing of the animals rather than traditional petting zoo experiences.