The Chinese Year of the Rabbit provides an opportunity to reflect upon the lives of the many millions of rabbits we raise for food and fur, experiment upon, and keep as pets.
Many millions of rabbits are bred on farms, housed in tiny wire cages before being slaughtered for food or to provide cheap fur;
Millions more rabbits are used in biomedical and product testing;
An unknown number of rabbits are kept as pets with this trend increasing in popularity
not buying products made of fur - even if you believe the fur to be fake;
encouraging your friends and family not to buy fur or fake fur products;
choosing a meat free diet;
not buying cosmetics which have been tested on animals;
not buying a rabbit as a pet without seeking advice on their needs and assessing your suitability to provide for these needs for the whole of a rabbits life. (rabbits can live for 8-12 years);
not buying rabbits from pet shops and breeders. If you have a home which can meet rabbit's physical and psychological needs, consider adopting a rabbit from a rescue centre.
