Rabbit Sitting Is Fun... But Don't Let the Year of the Rabbit Be a Rabbit's "Homecoming Year"

The Year of the Rabbit: A Call for Responsible Pet Ownership

This year marks the Year of the Rabbit, and the adorable appearance of rabbits may encourage more people to keep them as pets. However, animal welfare organizations are urging the public to think carefully before making impulsive decisions.

They emphasize that rabbits are inexpensive and easy to obtain, but caring for them requires long-term commitment. Adopting one on a whim simply because of their cuteness often leads to abandonment later, which causes unnecessary suffering.

These organizations are also calling on the Council of Agriculture to take swift action by issuing comprehensive rabbit care guidelines, banning the use of live animals as prizes in games, prohibiting animal performances, and promoting rabbit neutering programs.

As we celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, society should pay greater attention to rabbit welfare—to ensure that a year meant to honor these gentle creatures does not become one of hardship and neglect for them.

Year of the Rabbit: A Blessing or a Crisis?

As 2023 ushers in the Year of the Rabbit, rabbit-themed news, events, and programs have appeared everywhere. The adorable appearance of rabbits has captured the hearts of many, and some people hope to raise a rabbit during this zodiac year for good luck. However, the sudden rise in popularity of rabbits is not necessarily good news.

According to the Taiwan Rabbit Loving Association and the Taiwan Animal Protection Administrative Oversight Alliance, each Year of the Rabbit sees a troubling pattern: at the start of the year, many people impulsively adopt rabbits or give them as gifts. Yet, just a few months later—once the animals grow up and lose their novelty—many of them are abandoned. Though bizarre, this phenomenon has persisted over time.

Lin Qiao, Director of Public Affairs at the Taiwan Rabbit Loving Association, described the Year of the Rabbit as a "disaster year" for the group. Reflecting on the previous zodiac cycle, Lin recalled that the association's intake capacity had surged by 184% when it was newly established. Ironically, the symbolic year meant to celebrate rabbits instead became one of emergency rescues and overfilled shelters.

Lin urged the public not to impulsively buy rabbits but to consider adoption instead. "Since the establishment of our association, we have taken in over 2,700 rabbits," Lin said. "On average, a new rabbit arrives every 1.7 days. Twelve years ago, the number we took in was already 1.8 times higher than the year before. With more and more people keeping rabbits now, we're deeply concerned this year could become another disaster for them."

This worrying trend serves as a reminder that pets are lifelong companions, not seasonal tokens of good fortune. True affection means responsibility—not impulse.

Lawmakers Push to Ban Live Animal Prizes and Unethical Animal Shows

Calls to strengthen animal welfare laws are growing louder in Taiwan, as lawmakers voice concerns over the widespread use of live animals as prizes and the exploitation of animals in commercial performances. With the Year of the Rabbit sparking a surge in rabbit-themed marketing, legislators fear a potential wave of abandonment following the festive season.

Across night markets and tourist attractions, small animals — especially rabbits — have become part of promotional games or interactive feeding experiences designed to attract visitors. Legislators and animal welfare groups warn that most animals in these displays endure poor living conditions and inhumane treatment.

Push for Legislative Reform

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Lai Hui-yuan announced plans to propose amendments that would prohibit the giving of live animals as prizes. She emphasized the importance of encouraging industry players to transition away from such practices even before the law is enacted, in order to avoid crossing future enforcement boundaries.

"When the amendment to ban live animal giveaways is passed, we hope to have a clear transitional model in place," Lai said. "Before the legislation takes effect, relevant industries should start aligning with humane standards, and authorities should provide guidance and public education to promote the correct understanding — that animals should not be treated as prizes."

Concerns Over Animal Shows and Laboratory Use

New Power Party (NPP) legislator Chen Chiao-hua echoed these concerns, focusing on the issue of animal performances. She argued that excessive commercialization often leads to neglect of animal welfare, resulting in numerous cases of mistreatment. Chen urged the government to ensure that venues hosting animal shows obtain proper permits and operate under supervision.

"The government must take a more proactive approach to institutional reforms," Chen stated. "Any venue exhibiting animals, including rabbits, should be licensed and monitored. We also call on the Council of Agriculture to collaborate with academic institutions to establish a veterinary system for laboratory animals, ensuring their welfare and the respectful treatment of all living creatures on our island."

Chen also noted that an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 rabbits are used annually in scientific experiments, underscoring the urgent need for better regulatory frameworks and ethical oversight in research involving animals.

Toward a Humane Future

The cross-party initiative suggests growing public and political momentum toward stronger animal rights protections in Taiwan. Both lawmakers stress that real progress requires coordinated effort — from legislative reform to public awareness — to build a society that respects animal life and fosters compassionate coexistence.

"Rabbits Don't Like Carrots!" Lawmakers Urge Quick Release of Rabbit Care Guidelines

Many people believe that rabbits love carrots, but experts say that's a common misconception—and one that could harm the animals. Lawmakers and animal welfare groups in Taiwan are now calling on the Council of Agriculture (COA) to publish an official "Rabbit Care Guide" to help the public better understand how to properly raise pet rabbits.

According to Taiwan's legal definitions, rabbits are classified both as livestock under Article 3 of the Animal Industry Act and as pets under Article 3 of the Animal Protection Act. Given this dual classification, several legislators have suggested that the COA should swiftly introduce a "Guidebook for Humane Animal Care Practices" to promote animal welfare awareness and provide practical care guidelines to pet owners.

Kuomintang legislator Hung Meng-kai noted that the public often misunderstands how to care for rabbits. "Feeding rabbits carrots too frequently can actually increase the risk of dental decay," he said. Hung urged the COA to launch a public education campaign within one month and to present concrete results within three months.

Hung emphasized, "During the Year of the Rabbit, animal welfare organizations have already warned about the surge of impulse purchases of pet rabbits and the resulting abandonment problem. Therefore, we requested the COA to start awareness efforts within one month and to submit a progress report within three months. The agency has agreed to comply with this resolution."

Lin Chiao, Director of Public Affairs for the Taiwan Rabbit Loving Association, also appealed to the COA to announce and implement the Rabbit Care Guidelines as soon as possible, so that field inspectors would have a reference for enforcement. He further mentioned that the issue of banning live animals as game prizes—which was approved on the government's Public Policy Participation Platform last July—still has not progressed beyond a brief COA response. Lin called on the COA to accelerate legislative amendments and consultations with relevant organizations.

Lin also warned that rabbits' high reproductive rate can lead to uncontrolled breeding if left unregulated. He recommended that the government establish a microchip registration system and provide subsidies for sterilization to prevent overpopulation.

In response to these calls from lawmakers and animal protection groups, Sung Nien-chieh, chief of the COA's Pet Management Division, gave a positive reply. She affirmed that the COA will release the official Rabbit Care Guidelines this year, which will serve as a reference for both pet owners and inspection personnel. The COA also intends to amend laws to prohibit using live animals as game prizes and to regulate temporary animal exhibitions, requiring organizers to obtain display permits to reduce cases of rabbit abandonment.

"The amendment banning live animals as prizes has already been drafted and is currently undergoing administrative review," Sung said. "We hope for continued public support as we bring this bill to the Legislative Yuan for approval in the near future."

Don't Let Rabbits Cry in the Year of the Rabbit

To prevent a repeat of the "rabbit craze" that swept through the last Year of the Rabbit, animal welfare groups are raising their voices again. They remind the public that keeping a rabbit should never be just about their cuteness; responsible ownership begins with proper research and lifelong commitment.

Rabbits can live for 8 to 12 years. Anyone considering adoption must be mentally and financially prepared for that journey—because true guardianship means never abandoning them.

Every life deserves equal respect. Let's not fall into the trap of "a moment's joy in raising a rabbit, a year's regret at the crematorium." Let this Year of the Rabbit be one where our furry friends hop with happiness, not shed tears of neglect.