Rabbits have complex social and behavioral needs that are frequently unmet in traditional housing, causing significant welfare harm to pet rabbits worldwide.
Pet rabbit welfare is one of the most neglected areas in companion animal care. The 'starter pet' perception of rabbits has led to generations of rabbits housed in small hutches with inadequate space, no companionship, and little meaningful enrichment. Research by the RSPCA and RWAF consistently shows that welfare needs of pet rabbits are rarely met in practice. Rabbits housed in small spaces develop stereotypic behaviors from boredom, suffer musculoskeletal problems from inability to exercise, and show chronic stress responses from isolation and environmental impoverishment. The welfare implications are serious and widespread, affecting millions of pet rabbits globally.