Breeding Rabbits

VRRA has 3 simple words of advice when it comes to breeding rabbits. Don't do it. There are a lot of wonderful rabbits languishing in shelters that need homes. The baby rabbits may be cute but each one represents 10 years of everyday care. Friends and neighbours who admire your rabbit may talk about wanting one but once the chance is there you will find they quickly back away. Those that do take one are likely to tire of caring for her, especially if they got her mainly for the children. If you think you can find them good homes through pet stores, think again. Most pet stores care nothing about the home the rabbit gets as long as they get their money. Many pet store staff know nothing about rabbit care or health, don't know how to sex rabbits or tell when they are sick or even how to feed them properly. And if they sit in the store too long and are no longer "cute" they are likely to be sold cheaply to someone as food for their snake. And you will be joining people like those in the story below.

Breeding your rabbit because "she is so wonderful and you want babies like her" is just plain silly. Every rabbit is different and your chances of getting a bunny "just like her" are very small. We beg you - do not be part of the problem. Do not breed rabbits.

Read more about Rabbit Breeding from the House Rabbit Society

Photos taken by Carmina Gooch at a Langley rabbit breeding facility

These tiny, dilapidated, corroded cages are typically used by rabbit breeders. The animals have virtually no contact with people and are confined night and day. They stand on wire mesh with little room to turn around. Their sole purpose is to provide revenue with minimal expense to the breeder. They are often sold at pet stores, where the conditions are equally poor, and the sole motive, once again is profit.

Nellie's Story

Nellie was used for breeding purposes in Cloverdale. She had already had several litters when she was purchased. When the breeder was asked what happened to the rabbits that didn’t find homes she said they were released on the property and after awhile just "disappeared." Although there was no real demand for the baby rabbits, this breeder kept at it for several years, until the family got a dog, and decided it might be a good idea to breed the dog instead.

Visitor