They're also the reason that many people hate me, because I breed them, and I eat them.
They're also nutritious and easily digested, and one of the few raw meats my dog will actually eat.
But rabbits are such a taboo thing to eat. People do not want to hear about it, people are disgusted by the idea. People, I think, would like to believe that meat grows in those little packages and no animals are harmed in the making of it.
Let me give you a rundown of the life of one of my rabbits intended for meat.
They are caged, in a large cage. Usually with siblings. They are fed, they are watered. In the nice months they are put out in grazing cages and get to dig and eat grass and be happy little bunnies. They are treated with respect, never mistreated, never abused, and they know that good things come from the person with the food. They are not heavily socialized, but they are taught to tolerate handling, so they can have health checks without causing too much stress, and so their final moments aren't a drastic change and a source of stress. They live natural bunny lives until their final moments... which happen to be the natural end to their natural bunny lives.
People who are of a delicate constitution may want to stop reading here.
Initially, when butchering, I would dispatch using cervical dislocation - break the neck. However I found this to be very stressful, not only on the rabbits, but on myself. Now, I use a pellet gun to dispatch, as it is quicker, more reliable, and instant. The rabbits are put in a rubbermaid tub with something to munch on in front of them - usually something leafy and green, occasionally grains or a veg/fruit treat. But always something to distract them. It helps keep their head still while I am aiming. With a quick pop, they're done, their life is over, and their last thought was most likely "hey this is some good eats!" as they stuffed their face. Afterwards, I butcher and I use all that I possibly can from the rabbit. I do not want to waste anything.
People who are of a delicate constitution should be able to start reading again here.
Now, I understand the vegetarians/vegans who are against all meat consumption. I mean, I don't agree with them, and I won't be stopping eating meat any time soon, but at least they are consistent about their beliefs. It is not okay to eat an animal. It is not okay to use an animal's products. Awesome, I understand that thought process.
What I don't understand is those who tell me I am horrible for eating rabbit, while stuffing chicken wings in their face, or munching on a big cheeseburger. I don't understand hypocrisy.
Why is it NOT okay to eat a rabbit, but okay to eat a chicken, or a cow, or a pig, or a fish?
Why is it NOT normal or healthy for me to raise my own meat to ensure it is raised with compassion and respect, but it is completely normal and healthy to go pick up meat from a grocery store, without knowing how that animal lived?
There are very rare occasions where I am actually thanked by a vegetarian in the course of our conversations concerning animals and meat. These vegetarians understand that I can choose to eat/raise my own meat and still love animals. They understand that I want to know my food was raised with compassion and had as good a life as possible. And they thank me for putting in the extra work, for spending the extra money, to ensure that this happens.
So what if rabbits are cute and fluffy and a popular pet? You know what else is cute and fluffy? Cows. And cows are even considered sacred in India. We eat them by the boatload. Cows can be pets as well, there's a new trend in people training cows to be riding animals. And don't even get me started on the ridiculously cute fluffy calves with corners(seriously, go google "show calves", I'll wait... Did you look at them, omg they're so fluffy and CUTE!) And chickens can be pets. Pigs(especially the potbelly variety) can be pets. Goats, fish, turkeys, lamb, sheep... all of these animals have been considered a pet by someone. Probably within the last 24hrs, even.
The problem comes when people decide that what is right for them, has to be right for everyone else. Life is not like math. Two plus two does not always equal four, and there's not always a right answer. The world is many shades of grey, not just black and white.
It might be right for you to go out and buy a new car, but it is not right for me.
It might be right for you to donate a ton of money to PETA, but it's not right for me.
It might be right for you to eat a vegan diet, but it's definitely not right for me.
What is right for everyone is respect.
It is right for me to respect your choice to buy a new car.
It is right for me to respect your choice to donate money to PETA.
It is right for me to respect your choice to eat a vegan diet.
Just as it is right for you to respect my choice not to buy a new car, not to donate to PETA, not to eat a vegan diet.
Stop judging people for their dietary choices. Stop forcing your beliefs on other people.
Just because you don't want to eat something, doesn't make it right for you to tell others not to eat it.
I don't like chocolate cake, is it right for me to deny it to others?