Fur
According to our sources, Australia does not currently farm rex rabbits for fur, however the fur trim used in Australian products are from deceased farmed rabbits. These are the larger docile and affectionate rabbits killed for meat. The fur is usually considered second class and used as cat toys or trim on cheap fashion items.
The Australian Akubra hat is made mostly from fur of wild rabbits (in Australia) and various pelts of Rex rabbits from Europe. One hat is made using an average of 14 rabbit skins, depending on the size of the rabbit.
85% of Rex rabbits bred for fur (in every country) are subjected to intensive farmed living, living in bare wire mesh cages that cut into their unpadded feet (Rex rabbits are known for having no fur on the soles of their feet).
Angora rabbit farms, however, do exist in Australia.
The rabbits kept at these farms are not killed but tied down to tables & sheared. Most angora rabbit farms lose rabbits young as they are not provided with a healthy diet as hay is considered not important and an annoyance to the angora farmer if caught in the valuable fur.
