Brown rabbit eating grass from someone's hand

All about rabbits

We hear from you about your life with beautiful bunnies.

7 per cent of those who filled in the Big Pet Census own a rabbit. In total, we had an insight into the lives of over 14,000 of these sweet, small pets.

Rabbits are also very social animals, so it’s reassuring that 85 per cent said their rabbits live with at least one other rabbit. Learn about why rabbits love company of their own kind.

What our rabbits mean to us

  • 92 per cent say their rabbit is part of the family
  • 43 per cent say their rabbit is a companion
  • 37 per cent say their rabbit is their best friend
  • 10 per cent say their rabbit is a pet
  • 7 per cent say their rabbit is there for their children

As for our rabbits, they love to show us what we mean to them too.

An illustration of a rabbit looking into the face of a woman
  • 78 per cent say their rabbit comes to them for affection
  • 74 cent say their rabbit is excited to see them
  • 48 per cent say their rabbit gives them kisses
  • 48 per cent say their rabbit follows them around the house
  • 36 per cent say their rabbit lies with them
  • 27 per cent say their rabbit cuddles them
  • 15 per cent say their rabbit ‘talks’ to them
  • 5 per cent say their rabbit sleeps in their bed
  • 4 per cent say their rabbit brings them their favourite toy
  • 3 per cent say their rabbit protects them

Where do we get our rabbits

Most of the owners we spoke to got their rabbits through UK-based charities like us. This is fantastic news, as rabbits frequently enter our doors looking for new, loving families who understand what they need.

  • 33 per cent got their rabbits from UK-based rescue charities
  • 26 per cent got their rabbits from from a pet shop
  • 23 per cent got their rabbits from a breeder
  • 18 per cent got their rabbits from online sites, such as Pets4Homes or Gumtree
  • 10 per cent got their rabbits from a friend of family member
  • 5 per cent got their rabbits from a friend of a friend
60 per cent of people we surveyed say their rabbit was sold to them individually. 36 per cent of people say their rabbit was sold as a pair or group.

If you’re looking for a rabbit companion for an existing rabbit or a pair of rabbits to adopt, we might be able to help.

Adopt our rabbits

How our rabbits are kept

Rabbits need lots of space in order to exhibit their natural behaviour and finding suitable accommodation can be challenging. So we asked whether rabbit lovers purchased new rabbit housing for their new family member:

  • 51 per cent purchased new housing for their rabbit
  • 26 per cent have indoor rabbits
  • 11 per cent made or adapted housing to suit their rabbit’s needs
  • 5 per cent bought second hand, which can be a great and affordable option

We recommend that rabbits have accommodation space of at least three metres long, by two metres deep, by one metre high so that they can stretch their legs, hop and binky about. And when they are given the space, seeing your rabbits binky is a thing of pure joy.

 

[Illustrations by Laura Ireland] 

— Page last updated 31/08/2022