The British Rabbit Council

The National Rabbit Council of Great Britain and her Dominions. Like The British Rabbit Society already in existence, this organisation became a forerunner to today's British Rabbit Council. The new organisation grew very rapidly but strife developed between the two national bodies. This eventually led, in 1934, to the two organisations merging with approval from all sections of the rabbit world and the affiliated societies.

The British Rabbit Council was born!

There had always been a need for the permanent identification of rabbits with the numbers being registered with a central organisation. A scheme was started in the late 1920's when the British Rabbit Society arranged for the formation of a National Rabbit Marking Council. This Council carried out a ringing scheme for a number of years but in 1938 The British Rabbit Council took over the ringing scheme with Fur & Feather handling the distribution of the rings. This arrangement was not entirely satisfactory and in 1946 the British Rabbit Council took over the whole matter - an arrangement which continues today. Until 1960, the British Rabbit Council was concerned not only with the showing of rabbits but also with the commercial farming of rabbits. The Commercial Rabbit Association was formed for commercial rabbit keepers and this organisation took over responsibility for the rabbit farmers. Today, The British Rabbit Council recognises that the rabbit is an enormously popular domestic animal and Britain's third most popular pet. It is a much loved part of many children's childhood as parents chose a rabbit to help teach their children about responsibility and commitment. The British Rabbit Council has made the decision to encourage the pet owner to join them so they also have access to good advice and that the Council can aid the welfare of the rabbit. The British Rabbit Council's objectives today do not differ too much from the original Beveren Club as the Council "promotes the breeding and showing of rabbits and helps pet owners with the welfare of their rabbits." Throughout its history, The British Rabbit Council has used its influence to help on a number of issues. For example, during the war regulations prevented landlords from prohibiting the keeping of rabbits. After the war, the association was largely responsible for having this particular wartime regulation put into

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