International Rabbit Day

What the day is

International Rabbit Day is observed on the fourth Saturday in September, although different sources give different dates and there is no single authority that sets it. It is promoted by animal welfare groups and humane societies, and its aim is to encourage better care for pet rabbits and the protection of wild ones.

Rabbits are often misunderstood. Many end up in shelters, partly because people underestimate how much care they need and how long they live.

Origin and background

Rabbits are not rodents. They belong to a separate order called lagomorphs, which also includes hares and pikas, and one of the differences is that their front teeth grow continuously and need constant wear from chewing. Domestic rabbits descend from the European wild rabbit and have been kept for food, fur and companionship for centuries.

As pets they can live eight to twelve years. Their diet should be mostly grass hay, supplemented with fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of pellets, and they need space to run, because a hutch is not enough. Rabbits are social and can be affectionate, but they are also prey animals and easily stressed. They need a vet with experience in rabbits, and spaying or neutering improves health and behavior.

Welfare groups also use the day to speak out about practices they oppose, such as the sale of rabbits as Easter gifts that are later abandoned, and the use of rabbits in cosmetics testing and the fur trade. In the wild, several rabbit species are threatened by habitat loss and disease.

How to take part

• Adopt a rabbit from a shelter or a rescue group, such as a House Rabbit Society chapter, if you are ready for the long commitment.
• Donate hay, toys or supplies to a rabbit rescue, or volunteer as a foster or a cuddler.
• Learn about proper care before you bring one home, including diet, space and vet costs.
• Look at how rabbits and hares differ, and share what you find out with a child.
• Choose cruelty-free products, which are labeled as not tested on animals.