Rabbit farming for meat and fur is one of the least regulated and most welfare-compromised sectors of animal agriculture, affecting hundreds of millions of animals annually.
Rabbit farming operates largely in a regulatory vacuum: while cattle, pig, and poultry welfare have attracted increasing legislative attention, rabbit farming continues with minimal standards in most producing countries. The result is one of the least welfare-conscious animal production systems globally, with barren wire cages standard, behavioral needs unmet, and slaughter practices inconsistent. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals with strong behavioral drives for movement, exploration, and social interaction that wire cage confinement entirely prevents. Consumer awareness of rabbit farming welfare conditions is low, partly because rabbit meat is less prominent in mainstream markets. Building awareness and consumer pressure — alongside regulatory advocacy — are the primary pathways to welfare improvement in this neglected sector.