Millions of rabbits are also farmed for their fur (to make coats, hats, gloves, shoes, fur-trimmed garments, accessories, ornaments, pet toys, etc.). Contrary to popular belief, fur is not a by-product of the meat industry. Rabbits reared for meat are usually slaughtered around the age of 10 to 12 weeks (when their flesh is pale and their skin thin), whereas rabbits bred for their fur are killed at the age of several months (when their skin and coat are thicker).
Last year, PETA highlighted one particular type of fur farming of rabbits, for the angora trade. Angora is a luxury fiber produced by long-haired rabbits, and 90 percent comes from China, where 50 million angora rabbits are industrially farmed without any legislative standards protecting their welfare. PETA's footage showed rabbits tied by their front and hind legs, screaming as they were being plucked raw. The reason for not shearing them, which would be more humane, is that the longer hair that comes from plucking can sell for more than double the price, and the reason for plucking violently in a matter of minutes is that plucking without causing harm would take up to two weeks of gently removing the loosened hair. The outcry over the footage led several big brands (including H&M;) to stop using angora.