Farm Animals

The Welfare of Farmed Rabbits

Rabbit farming is one of the least regulated areas of animal agriculture despite housing hundreds of millions of animals in barren wire cages.

Key Facts

Over 1 billion rabbits are farmed for meat annually, mostly in Europe and China
Battery cages for rabbits are standard in most producing countries
Rabbits in wire cages cannot jump, stand fully upright, or engage in natural digging
Group housing systems for rabbits show increased welfare but increased aggression challenges
Rabbit meat consumption is declining in Europe as welfare concerns increase

Welfare Considerations

Farm rabbits are among the least visible and least protected of all farmed animals. Standard wire cages deprive rabbits of the ability to perform virtually every natural behavior: digging, jumping, running, and hiding. The social structure of rabbit groups in intensive production is poorly managed, causing aggression injuries. European reform campaigns have achieved voluntary commitments from some retailers to eliminate barren cage systems.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing rabbit meat or fur from intensive farming systems
Support European cage-free rabbit farming campaigns
Ask retailers and restaurants about their rabbit welfare sourcing standards
Advocate for minimum space and enrichment standards in rabbit farming regulations