There are calls to end rabbit petting
The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund is calling on UK Farm Parks to swap ‘pat-a-pet’ style sessions for educational activities that don’t terrify the animals.
Many farm parks argue that petting small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs is a big draw for visitors but a survey by RWAF suggests that the animal-loving public would rather put welfare first.
- 40% of farm park visitors have petted or handled a small animal while there
- 53 % rated rabbit welfare at farm parks as poor or very poor
- 78% believe daily handling of rabbits by visitors is harmful
- 95% would not take part in petting or handling if they thought the animals involved were scared
Multiple scientific studies confirm that handling prey animals like rabbits can induce significant fear and stress responses, and these reactions can negatively affect their health and welfare. Yet placing rabbits on display tables to be stroked or allowing groups of young children into an enclosed area to handle them is still common practice at farm parks throughout the UK. It’s promoted as a ‘fun’ family activity but for the rabbits involved, it’s anything but.
A study on stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) in adult rabbits showed that handling causes measurable increases in body temperature—an indicator of acute stress and while scared rabbits may sit still and appear calm this immobility or ‘freezing’ often indicates a drop in blood pressure, linked to fear responses of typical prey species. In this state, they will also likely be exhibiting rapid heart and respiratory rates and elevated corticosterone (equivalent to the stress hormone cortisol in humans).
It won’t be obvious to the parents and children who have been invited to handle them. While a distressed dog or cat might bite and scratch, rabbits often show their fear by sitting very still.
The physiological changes caused by day upon day of stress can lead to compromised immune function, digestive problems, and delayed recovery from illness due to chronic stress. In other words, daily ‘petting’ is not only terrifying, but it’s also harmful to their long-term health.
Media Vet and RWAF patron, Emma Milne, says: “The stress caused by these interactions can’t be overstated, and it can have devastating effects on welfare and long-term health for these animals. I would not only urge farm parks to heed the advice of RWAF and educate people about the complex needs of rabbits, but I would also urge parents to boycott parks that continue to allow these activities.”
According to the National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN), there are approximately 400 farm and rural attractions across the UK. Of those, 219 are official NFAN-member farm parks, collectively drawing about 25 million visits each year.
For many children, a farm park will be their first experience of rabbits close-up and the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) is calling on UK farm parks to swap this cruel handling practice for alternative rabbit-centric activities that reflect the welfare needs of these intelligent and highly complex animals.
Rae Walters, RWAF CEO says: “Most of the farm parks I have spoken to deny that letting rabbits out to be handled, stroked and picked up can be frightening for the animals involved, but we know that to be the case. Sadly, it’s an activity that’s long been embedded into farm park culture - and draws a crowd. Who can blame kids (and adults) for wanting to stroke rabbits? They are beautiful animals, after all. But the ugly truth is that this practice is terrifying for the rabbits and if more farm park visitors understood the negative effect on their health, happiness and wellbeing, we believe they would be happy to engage in alternative activities. Our own research suggests that most animal-loving farm park visitors would welcome the change if they were aware of the welfare facts.
“Prepping rabbit treats and enrichment games and learning through interactive quizzes can also be a lot of fun - and none of these activities involve handling a terrified rabbit that can’t escape. Most importantly, they help to educate young farm park visitors from an early age about respecting these animals.”
“We are sending out our press release to farm parks across the UK, hoping that the message will cut through the commercial benefit of hands-on rabbit experiences. Every farm park that signs up to our ’Pat a Pet Pledge’ becomes a Rabbit Welfare Champion and the more farm parks that take this pledge for rabbit-first welfare, the more likely it is that proper care and respect for rabbits can become mainstream.”