I have found that there is an incredible community of people who raise rabbits for meat. For the most part, they are very supportive of one another. There are of course the same gatekeeping snobs that you would find in any community, but as a generalized statement I would have to say that the people who raise meat rabbits are some of the most compassionate people that I have met. We have all gone through a lot of the same struggles that come with raising rabbits and are ready to offer support to one another when the need arises. 

We are a community that wants to encourage conscientious and sustainable living, and we love to educate people so that they can join us. We want people to connect to their environment and their food and understand the cycle of life. We understand that raising your own meat is not something everyone can do, and we are thankful for the people who can come to that realization without becoming hateful and condemning people who do. 

The second layer of community that I have found is in the people who simply support what I do. It is alway heartwarming to have someone tell you that they admire what you do and understand why you do it. In all the time that I have raised rabbits, I have only ever had one person who (face to face) told me they didn’t appreciate what I did. Luckily that day I had a friend who quickly put this person in their place by asking whether or not they ate meat, and then explaining to them that all meat has to come from somewhere and that they needed to get off their high horse and have a look at reality. 

Getting trolled online is stressful, but not something that leaves any lasting impression. When someone disagrees with you in person it is a little more upsetting, but I am able to rely on the moral support of other breeders and the friends that I have made along this journey whenever either of these instances occur. 

If I could have one improvement on the meat rabbit community, I would want to be able to be present in mainstream formats of social media without incurring the wrath of society. We would be able to better connect and provide one another support if we didn’t have to keep groups hidden and use codewords in online posts. It’s a lovely dream at least.