Pet rabbits are among the most commonly mistreated companion animals due to widespread misunderstanding of their needs. Small hutches cause physical and psychological suffering that is often normalized.
Pet rabbits are frequently housed in conditions that cause chronic suffering through inability to exercise, express natural behavior, or receive appropriate social contact. The commercial hutch industry has long sold enclosures far too small for rabbit welfare. Reform requires both consumer education about proper housing standards and regulatory minimum space requirements. Many rabbits surrendered to shelters show signs of chronic welfare problems caused by inadequate housing during their developmental years.