Rabbits are the third most surrendered pet in shelters, yet their welfare needs are poorly understood and often unmet in both homes and shelter environments.
Shelter rabbits suffer in ways that are often invisible. The hutch or cage housing common in shelters restricts movement, causing muscle and skeletal degeneration. Social species, rabbits benefit enormously from being kept in bonded pairs, but single-housing in shelters is common. Mishandling — picking rabbits up in ways that frighten them — causes stress and can result in fatal spinal injuries from frantic kicking. Shelter staff training in rabbit behavior and husbandry is essential but inconsistently provided. Foster programs that place rabbits in home environments dramatically improve welfare outcomes and adoption rates.