Rabbits are among the most welfare-neglected companion animals in Europe and North America — millions are kept in conditions that prevent expression of natural behaviour and cause chronic suffering.
The welfare gap between how rabbits are commonly kept and what they actually need is one of the largest in companion animal care. A rabbit in a small hutch at the bottom of a garden, fed pellets and carrots, with limited exercise and no companion, is experiencing significant deprivation of its physical and psychological needs. The problem is compounded by the perception of rabbits as low-maintenance starter pets — a misconception perpetuated by retailers who sell inadequate housing alongside the animals themselves. Rabbits have complex social, dietary, and space requirements; meeting them requires owner education, retailer responsibility, and legislation that sets meaningful minimum standards.