National Rabbit Clubs

Rabbit Clubs

Today we are going to cover 5 national Clubs/Association/Councils to give you an idea of what they do, and how you might benefit by joining a club.

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Easter
Easter is a season that has popularized the purchase of rabbits as surprise "Easter bunnies" for young people Easter morning. Please remember to learn about how to care for a rabbit prior to purchase and that rabbits are a 5-10 year commitment.
The American Rabbit Breeders Association
The ARBA is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy. With over 23,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad, their members range from the pet owner with one rabbit or cavy to the breeder or commercial raiser with several hundred animals. Each aspect of the rabbit and cavy industry whether it be fancy (for exhibition), as a pet, or for commercial value, is encouraged by their organization.
There are numerous benefits for joining ARBA, including a copy of the Official Guidebook To Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies (free with the initial membership), a subscription to Domestic Rabbits magazine, Registration, Grand Champion certification and other privileges.
The History of the American Rabbit Breeders Association
In the late 1890s the Belgian Hare affair brought a serious touch to the American rabbit world that previously had been pet and perhaps meat rabbits. With serious prices paid for Belgian Hares there was not a national organization as with other livestock. In 1910 the National Pet Stock Association was formed.
National Pet Stock Association of America was founded on January 10, 1910 by Charles S. Gibson at his home at 1045 West Warren Ave., Detroit, Michigan with a total of 13 people present who became charter members. Charles Gibson was elected as the Secretary/Treasurer. It is not known who designed the first national emblem, but it was common place for the time to use the head of Lady Liberty with the laurel leaves in her hair along with the crossed flags as part of an American symbol.
Seven years later the “Pet” was dropped from the name as it began including not just rabbits and cavies but other small fur bearing animals and later another name change was made to the “National Breeders and Fanciers Association of America.”
The organization changes their name to the National Breeders and Fanciers Association of America. The emblem you see was created by the George Lauterer Company of Chicago, Illinois. There is once again the crossed US flags, eagle with her stretched wings, double maple leaves (no doubt to recognize our neighbors to the north’s membership), plus the heads of four animals; top is a raccoon, right a cavy (guinea pig), bottom a fox and finally a rabbit. In January, 1918 the first national convention and show is held in Kansas City, Missouri with a total of 540 entries. The organization splits in October, 1919 and Charles Gibson incorporates the new branch in January, 1920 as the National Breeders and Fanciers Association, Inc. Gibson is replaced as secretary in 1921 by Raymond L. Pike and the national headquarters is moved to Crawfordsville, Indiana. Pike is replaced by Arthur Weygandt as secretary in 1923 and the national headquarters is moved once again to Weygandt’s home at 3166 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Illinois, then shortly after to 7408 Normal Ave., Chicago.
In 1923 the rabbit fancy began to split into fur breeds and meat breeds. The name of the association was changed to the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association to narrow the focus to just rabbit and cavy owners.
The organization became more specialized with the small stock that they promoted and once again changed their name officially on January 20, 1925 to the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association, Inc. Before this change, the association catered to not only rabbits, cavies, raccoons, and foxes, but most all furred animals including rats, mice and even skunks. Oddly enough the association did not have an official logo until the 1940’s. Arthur Weygandt proved to be an outstanding choice for secretary and served the organization well for 20 years until he was forced to resign in early 1943 due to a stroke, being replaced by Mr. Lewis S. J. Griffin.
A new logo appeared only in the 1940’s which touted the domestic rabbit for it’s meat, fur and wool, with special emphasis placed on the cavy as an important laboratory animal, which indeed it was. The scalloped border is believed to be designed after a rosette ribbon showing that both species were highly popular as show animals. The war years were hard on the organization, but the meat of the domestic rabbit received a huge boost for its quick growth and high nutritional values by the United States government. Griffin as secretary moved the national offices to his home at 812 East Costella, Colorado Springs, Colorado and then to rental facilities for a short time in 1945 at 25 East Colorado St., Colorado Springs. Due to failing health Griffin resigned in 1945 and James Blyth moved the offices to 5941 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when chosen as the new secretary. A milestone was reached when affiliated clubs of the national and her membership pitched in together and purchased a permanent headquarters at 4323 Murray Avenue, in Pittsburgh.
Not pleased with the design of the previous emblem of the national association a new design appeared in the late 1940’s, however this designer was unknown as with previous designs. The scalloped edges were increased to be more in style with a prize rosette and the emphasis of what the species were mainly used for were removed.
The organization grew and by 1948 an estimated 12,000 members were involved in the organization. Then in 1952 the name was changed to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, although the cavy still today falls within the scope of the association. Six years later a youth division was added to afford adults to compete as well as the youth against their own age and experience level, with a youth division specialty club.
During the 1952 national convention and show the association decided to change the name of the association for the final time to American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. It was the consensus that the national mainly existed for the promotion of the domestic rabbit, however cavies would continue to be sponsored by the ARBA. With a brand new name, came a brand new logo and this time we do know the designer, Edward H. Stahl of Missouri. He retained the scallop border, included the words, Food, Fancy and Fur and the heads of two rabbits looking to the right, or as Edward Stahl once said, “Always towards the Future.” The rabbits used in the logo were actually real animals; the top a Standard Chinchilla buck called Chin Champ was Best Standard Chinchilla at the 1924 Lima, Ohio Convention and the bottom rabbit a New Zealand White buck called White Champ that won Best of Breed at the 1932 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Convention.
This was changed in 1971 when Oren Reynolds became president and the youth became a part of ARBA that had the same as an adult membership except for that of voting. The ARBA grew and with the increase in members and finances fliers, booklets and the Domestic Rabbits magazine became available to members. Today there is a guidebook, beginner book, year book and the Standard of Perfection that are updated regularly as well as other publications available through ARBA.
Secretary James Blyth retires in December 1972 after a remarkable service of 27 years in the position under no less than 6 presidents. Ed Peifer, Jr. became secretary from 1973 until December, 1984. He moved the national headquarters to rental facilities at 1006 Morrisey Dr., and then to 2401 E. Oakland Ave. both locations in Bloomington, Illinois. In 1976 the ARBA purchased their own facilities at 1925 South Main in Bloomington. Upon Ed Peifer’s retirement, Glen C. Carr of Ohio was appointed secretary, but instead of moving the national offices he was the first secretary to move to where they were located. Peifer had begun to bring the association into the modern era of the internet age and Glen Carr certainly continued to improve and streamline all office operations.
The organization today maintains coops and equipment for the national convention shows, it has raised over $150,000 for the research and development fund that contributes to research that benefits rabbits as well as cavy research. There is also a youth scholarship, Hall of Fame library and an active membership that is not just about breeding rabbits. While a large part of the membership do show and breed their choice of dozens of breeds there is also a benefit for pet owners of information.
Because of the changing times and the attitude of people, it became very apparent that the words “Food and Fur” was no longer the primary focus of the fancier's organization. Although the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. recognizes the many valuable benefits of the domestic rabbit; meat, laboratory, fur, wool, fun, pet and fancy (exhibition) the words “Food, Fancy and Fur” were removed from the emblem. Kevin Whaley created the current logo to bring it into the 21st century as the ARBA continues to adapt to a changing country and world from it’s nearly century of existence. With the continued growth of the ARBA it quickly became apparent that a much larger facility was needed. A modern 10,000 square foot facility was located by Secretary Carr at 8 Westport Court in Bloomington which the ARBA purchased. In 1999 construction began for the Hall of Fame Library within the headquarters, which quickly became the world’s largest single collection of rabbit and cavy publications. In 2003 the name of secretary seemed out of place for what the position had evolved into and was renamed Executive Director.
Executive Director Glen C. Carr retired on December 31, 2006 and was succeeded by Executive Director Brad Boyce.
After a brief term as ARBA Executive Director, Brad Boyce was succeeded by Eric Stewart in 2009.
Mr. Stewart, ARBA's current Executive Director, is committed to steady progress as far as establishing improvements and advances in technologies utilized in the ARBA office. The most recent improvement involved a redesign of the ARBA website. Additional changes to the ARBA's online presence are planned.. This steady evolution will improve existing services while adding new elements contributing to the betterment of the ARBA and its members world-wide.
Although ARBA has been through several name changes in the last 100 years since inception the promotion of the domestic rabbit and cavy has remained. Today ARBA has members from around the world that come to the annual convention and show. Rabbits included within the scope of the association are not just fur rabbits or meat rabbits but include breeds that can do both as well as smaller breeds, wooled angora rabbits and fancy marked breeds. The cavy breeds are also distinct and compete at the national convention.
The American Rabbit Breeders Association Inc. provides unification within its membership that is composed of rabbit and cavy enthusiasts throughout North America and the world. The ARBA serves to promote the domestic rabbit and cavy fancy as well as all facets of the industry including commercial and scientific research facilities. Its organizational roots can be traced back over 100 years when, in 1910, the National Pet Stock Association came into being in response to the skyrocketing popularity of the Belgian Hare (actually a domestic rabbit - not a true hare), that had come on the scene around 1890. Over the years, the ARBA has grown and evolved into its present identity - enhancing, through it's membership, high standards of perfection, efficiency and cooperation between all phases of the rabbitry industry; the all encompassing objective remaining the promotion of the domestic rabbit and cavy.
Today:
There are 49 rabbit and 13 cavy breeds currently accepted by the ARBA.
Today the ARBA claims over 23,000 members worldwide; many who travel to the annual convention and shows held each year in a different major US city. Rabbits that are included within the scope of this association consist of 49 unique breeds ranging from rabbits prized for their fur, wool, beauty, and/or utility value to those most suitable as pets due to size and/or temperament. The ARBA also actively promotes 13 different breeds of cavies (commonly known as guinea pigs). The cavy breeds are also distinct and compete at the national convention along with rabbits, as well as local shows across North America and other countries.
ARBA Library and Hall of Fame
The ARBA headquarters based in Bloomington, Illinois houses the The ARBA's Hall of Fame Library - the world's largest single collection of rabbit and cavy publications in the world. There are over 9,000 items/pieces, housed in the collection, which continues to increase in size through donations and contributions of historical items. The Library is an archival library and not a lending library. Access to the Library for research by members is available by appointment only.
The ARBA boasts a growing contingent of youth members who have the opportunity to participate in ARBA shows and character-building youth activities. They also have the opportunity to qualify for youth scholarship funds made available by the ARBA. The ARBA encourages youth rabbit and cavy showmanship and related activities as a means to demonstrate not only a working and practical knowledge of rabbits and cavies, but to encourage youth members to explore critical thinking skills. These are desirable values youth learn and experience through their involvement in the ARBA. Character-building values such as responsibility and sportsmanship, will benefit youth throughout their lives.
ARBA youth members, while participating in character-building youth activities, have the opportunity to qualify for scholarship funds. The ARBA offers a Youth Scholarship program for high school graduates who wish to further their education. The recipients must have graduated with a minimum 3.0 GPA and be enrolled in their first year of higher education. The scholarship proceeds are designated to be used towards two- or four-year college, vocational, or technical school.
While a large percentage of active ARBA members participate in exhibitions such as those hosted at the national convention shows, there is a growing faction that keep companion rabbits and cavies. These pet owners realize a great benefit from the vast stores of knowledge available through ARBA books, manuals, and the bi-monthly publication - Domestic Rabbits.
There are numerous reasons owners of all types of rabbits and cavies can benefit from information available from the ARBA.
Rabbit raising education
This organization helps all levels of rabbit keepers and breeders, including 4-H participants to fanciers, pet owners to commercial producers. The ARBA also produces educational materials such as a guide book, 'Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies', as well as informative books on each registered breed, and a poster with photographs of the recognized breeds of rabbits and cavies, and rabbit registrar and judge training materials. The judges education program is an ongoing program for established judges.
Now they also have links to national specialty clubs that are breed specific, as well as a list of all of the shows.
Rabbit shows
The ARBA sanctions rabbit shows throughout the year, all over the USA and Canada. These shows, sponsored by local clubs, fairs, and show circuits, give rabbit and cavy fanciers the chance to have their animals examined by educated judges and compared to other breeders' animals and the standard. The ARBA holds a large national convention show once a year, which draws in fanciers from across the country and around the world. The 2005 ARBA convention was documented in the film Rabbit Fever.
Unified judging and registration system
The ARBA has a standardized judging system in which rabbits are judged against the respective breed standard, set by a 100-point scale, and published in the Standard of Perfection. It is a book detailing all of the recognized breeds in the United States and their attributes. The association has licensed judges since the early 1900s who may judge at sanctioned shows and fairs. The registration system maintains records on all rabbits which have passed a registration examination to ensure the animals are healthy and meet the ARBA Standard for the rabbits' breed. ARBA licensed registrars conduct the examination. Registrations are ranked Red; White; or Red, White, and Blue to distinguish how many ancestors of the subject rabbit have been previously registered.
Judges:
The American Rabbit Breeders Association is proud of its judges who must adhere to the strict standards which have been set by the ARBA Board of Directors. In order to earn his or her judge's license, each individual must have been engaged in breeding and exhibiting rabbits and/or cavies at least five (5) years; two of which must include serving as an ARBA Licensed Registrar, having registered a minimum of thirty-five (35) rabbits or fifteen (15) cavies. Additionally, an applicant for an ARBA Judge's License must have secured the endorsement of 20 ARBA members in good standing. This endorsement must be in writing. All of the preceding must be accomplished before an individual can even apply for a license. Once an application for an ARBA Judge's License has been accepted, that applicant must then pass extensive written and oral examinations and must assist in judging eight (8) shows under at least six (6) judges and must secure the endorsement of these judges as well. Once an ARBA Judge's License has been granted, each judge is expected to participate in at least one Judges' Conference every 5 years and must pass yearly review examinations with a minimum score of 80%.
ARBA members can be confident that the judges evaluating their rabbits or cavies on the judging table are well qualified to render their opinion as to the show worthiness and quality of each animal in each class.
Registering Rabbits:
The American Rabbit Breeders Association has a unique and exacting registration system. Unlike other animal registration systems, each rabbit or cavy must be examined by a licensed registrar, certified free from heritable defects and found to meet specific breed requirements as outlined in the ARBA Standard of Perfection.
The ARBA does not issue registrations of litters or register individual rabbits based on the registration or pedigree of its sire or dam. Each rabbit or cavy must be at least six (6) months of age before it can be inspected by a licensed ARBA Registrar. Because of its exacting requirements, the ARBA Rabbit/Cavy Registration system is arguably the single best livestock or pet-stock registration system in the world.
In order to receive an ARBA Registrar's license, each individual must be a continuous member of the ARBA for at least three (3) years, as well as have secured the written endorsement of 20 ARBA members in good standing prior to submitting an application to the ARBA office. Upon being approved to apply for an ARBA Registrar's License, the applicant has two (2) years in which to pass a written and oral examination delivered by an official examining judge appointed by the ARBA and must work under three (3) judges at three (3) shows, assist one (1) registrar with registering animals, and secure the endorsement of the registrar and at least two (2) of the judges under whom he or she has worked.
Each rabbit or cavy that successfully passes the examination and whose owner (a current member of the ARBA) upon submission of the $6.00 registration fee, may receive an official ARBA Registration Certificate upon which may be affixed a seal:
~ Red denotes registration of both parents
~ Red and White - all parents and grandparents have been registered
~ Red, White, & Blue indicates that all animals on the registration form were registered
~ Gold indicates all ancestors on the registration certificate were registered grand champions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Rabbit_Breeders_Association
https://www.arba.net/index.htm
https://learnaboutrabbits.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/the-history-of-the-american-rabbit-breeders-association/

The British Rabbit Council
The showing and exhibition of rabbits - known as "The Fancy" - started more than 200 years ago! By the middle of the nineteenth century there were many Local Clubs which had formed with the objective of holding regular shows for their Fanciers to enjoy. By the end of the 1800's Specialist Clubs had formed who were devoted to the improvement of individual breeds of rabbit. This structure still exists today with The Fancy still going strong, the number of recognized breeds steadily increased up to the beginning of the 1914-18 war but all of them were 'Fancy Breeds' with just two 'Fur Breeds'. During war time rabbit keeping was enjoying popularity and, coupled with the improved travel available, it meant that many Fanciers went overseas and saw many new breeds - not known in Great Britain - which had been developed.
Today there are over 50 recognized breeds and over 500 varieties! By the end of the 1914-18 war the most important Fur rabbit was the Beveren. This inevitably led a group of Beveren breeders in May 1918 to set up, in Birmingham, a new National Club called The Beveren Club. In the words of its seventeen founders, it was established "in an endeavor to raise the dignity and status of rabbit breeding with the best fur breeds."
Today, The British Rabbit Council continues to raise the profile and status of rabbit breeding. As new breeds were developed during the 1920's, they were standardized and adopted by The Beveren Club until the society had become a general fur breed club. To recognize its new status, it had two name changes, first to the British Fur Rabbit Society and then later to the to The British Rabbit Society. By 1928 the Society had 13 different fur breeds under its jurisdiction. It also managed its individual members, a number of Clubs and Agricultural Societies. However, things were happening in the rabbit world! There was at this time great deal of interest in Angora wool production and attempts were made to found an Angora wool testing center. Although this idea was backed by a number of influential people, not only in the rabbit world but in the agricultural and scientific worlds, the idea was eventually abandoned. However, the meetings held did give rise to a new national organization for rabbit breeders with the resounding title of......
The National Rabbit Council of Great Britain and her Dominions. Like The British Rabbit Society already in existence, this organization became a forerunner to today's British Rabbit Council. The new organization grew very rapidly but strife developed between the two national bodies. This eventually led, in 1934, to the two organizations 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 organization. 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 organization took over responsibility for the rabbit farmers. Today, The British Rabbit Council recognizes 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 permanent legislation thus insuring that rabbit keeping was not prohibited. Also, when there was considerable transit of rabbits by rail to and from shows, The British Rabbit Council played a large part in getting compensation from the Railways for delayed transit and hence loss of entry fees and rail fares. Other examples include a stock transfer scheme if rabbit breeders lost their entire stud in terrible flooding as they did once on the East Coast; the administration of the bran rationing scheme for the Government after the war; the provision of lecturers for Local Club meetings, and so on.
In the late 1990's representatives from The British Rabbit Council have attended international conventions to secure the British Rabbit Council's place as a leading European rabbit organization. Alongside all this extra work, the Council is still the governing body for The Fancy and has established over the years a comprehensive set of Show Rules. Each year approximately 1000 shows take place throughout Great Britain! Today sees a structure of District Advisors who give their time to help people in their regions. These are well respected members of great experience appointed by the Council to give advice locally. At shows, awards are available from the Council. The basis of these is the Challenge Certificate which is awarded to the best rabbit of its particular group.
Today, The British Rabbit Council encourages research into diseases etc. among other topical issues. As the role of the rabbit has developed into a popular pet, the British Rabbit Council actively encourages good rabbit keeping among pet owners. The Newark Head Office receives many hundreds of letters or calls each month asking for advice or information on an extremely wide variety of topics concerned with the rabbit. These are not confined to individual people but are sometimes from official bodies, Governments or overseas.
"To protect, further and co-ordinate the interests of all British rabbit breeders; to assist and extend the exhibition rabbits, to influence, advise and co-operate with central and local authorities, departments, education and other committees and schools in promoting the extension of the breeding of rabbits, and to promote and encourage education and research of a scientific and/or practical nature for the welfare and benefit of the rabbit."
As a member of the BRC you will receive the following:
Articles of Constitution & Rules Book; Breed Standards Book; Year Book; Five Freedoms; Benefits of Vaccination; Top Tips How to Look After Your Rabbit; Composting Rabbit Manure; Recommended Reading; Ring Order Form, in all Adult packs.
The membership also enables you to exhibit rabbits at a BRC Star Show and Join National/Area/Local BRC Clubs.
The 'bible' of rabbit showing is the Breeds Standard Booklet. There is also a library consisting of a considerable number of books relating to the rabbit. It is difficult to sum up an organization with such a long and interesting history - and bright future -as The British Rabbit Council. One thing, however, is very certain. The British Rabbit Council is made up of its members and exists to help all rabbit breeders and keepers. Most members consider that it is not only a pleasure to be a member but perhaps also a duty which allows him or her to give back a small part of the happiness he or she has gained from the Fancy.
http://thebritishrabbitcouncil.org/standards.htm
The Australian National Rabbit Council
Why did we need a National Rabbit Council? We have now grown into a fully fledged National body with almost three years behind us and our first National Convention held in March 2014.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember about a National Governing body is that it will not change the way your local rabbit Clubs run to any great degree. The National Rabbit Council is not there to change the way you do things now but to hopefully allow all the rabbit Clubs across Australia to improve the service they give to their members and to co-ordinate some activities to all Rabbit Fanciers across Australia. The only rules that affiliated Clubs would be expected to run under National Club rules would be the show rules same as what happens with the BRC.
To quote the BRC rules: All affiliated organizations shall retain freedom of action and to be at liberty to carry through any program within their own sphere as they may deem desirable or which may be most suited to their particular locality, except that all organizations affiliated to the Association must hold their shows under BRC Show Rules.
Anyone who has read the BRC rules will know that there are some rules in there that we do not/cannot run by. So to say Clubs run under BRC rules is somewhat of a misnomer. Most of us run under most of the Show Rules but I don’t believe anyone runs under all the Rules. The BRC has an Investigation Committee but I am not aware of any Club that has one in Australia. The WARCI had one for a number of years but had to dissolve it in the end because they were really too small to support one. Also many of the BRC rules relate to show support and as most Clubs run as individual Clubs and not under a governing body they do not need to apply for show support. With a National Club the rules would relate to Australian conditions and allow for the long distances in Australia and the introduction of non BRC accepted Breeds. So Australian Rules for Australian Rabbit Clubs.
One of the huge advantages to being an affiliated Club to the Australian National Rabbit Council would be that they would not have to pay their own Public Liability Insurance as they would be covered by the ANRCI Insurance. At the moment many Clubs – especially smaller ones – struggle to find the large amounts required for their Public Liability Insurance. As an affiliated Club they would pay ANRCI a Third Party Insurance Levy (which would be a small percentage of their previous payments) and would then be covered. This is a service the BRC also offers to its Affiliated Clubs.
Another service that ANRCI hopes to set up is a National Stud Register. The idea of having an Australia wide database of stud names has been discussed – and generally supported – for many years. This service would be relatively easy to set up and maintain with the cooperation of the affiliated Clubs. It would allow already duplicate Stud Names to be acknowledged (perhaps with the state of registration added to the stud name – Stud Name (WA)) and to ensure that future stud names are not duplicated. It would also allow members to use the stud names in every club and not have to pay separate registration fees at every club they wish to show in. Our Committee is looking at the feasibility of having a Stud Name Register, the best way it could be run and the rules under which it could be run.
The Steering Committee is also looking at the feasibility of having an Australia wide Ring Register. There are many ways this could be done and all the options will be examined to find the best way that it could be set up. In the future, we may be able to access our own rings and not having to bring them in from England. Just having our own rings will save our Clubs all having to buy and import rings (costs of exchange rates and postage) and decrease the time of ordering and receiving the rings.
An Australian Breed Standard that allows non BRC standard breeds would be a long term goal. This would be a long process and would require a lot of research and discussion. There are many breeds and colors we will never have here in Australia but there are some unique breeds that we do have that deserve to be in an Australian standard. These are all areas that the Steering Committee will be examining to find the feasibility of setting up these processes within an ANRCI. We expect that some of these subjects will produce a lot of discussion – both for and against – and also many different ways that these things could be set up. We welcome good sensible ideas and suggestions. We will look at all of them and try and find the best way that these things can work in Australia. We feel that Australian rabbit breeders deserve an Australian governing body that is developed with our own local conditions in mind. We hope that you all feel that this is a huge step forward for the Rabbit Fancy in Australia and that you come forward with lots of positive ideas to help us develop the best Australian National Council possible.
ANRCI is an Incorporated Association (WA) . We have an elected Management Committee made up of State Representatives.
All Rabbit Clubs have the option to affiliate with ANRCI and enjoy the benefits of shared ideas, databases and costs.
All fanciers or owners of rabbits are able to join ANRCI as well, you do not need to be a member of an affiliated club, but you do need to be a member of a club
The Rabbit Fancy in Australia is relatively small compared to the UK and the US. The website offers support for both affiliated and non affiliated Clubs. It contains the Stud Prefix database, The Championship System, Judging Training Guidelines and the Breed in Development Program. All this information is listed under the Club Support Heading
Fanciers Professional Development Seminars
ANRCI is really excited to announce a great new initiative which we are sure will help provide showing, breeding and judging information to members of the Fancy - especially in rural areas. We hope it will develop Professionalism in all aspects of the Fancy – whether it is running a Club and shows, assessing and breeding your stock, or showing and judging rabbits.
Last year they undertook to use any profits from the ANRCI raffle to help with education of the Fancy. So we have now put that promise into practice! They plan to run these seminars (as many as we can afford each year) in a number of different regional centers. These seminars will cover showing, breeding and judging and range from information suitable for beginners, or people just interested in improving the standards of their rabbits as well as Fanciers that hope to become judges in the future. They will also be great refreshers for existing judges. They hope to build on these seminars in the future and offer different perspectives or emphasis depending what is being asked for.
John Porritt together with Debbie Pulford have created the program and they will present the lectures - with assistance at times from other suitable people. They know that once you see the agenda of the seminars you will be very excited as well!! Apart from the formal learning opportunities from the lectures the informal learning from exchange of ideas and networking make these seminars something not to be missed!!
ANRCI is paying the transport and accommodation costs of the lecturers and also the cost of the venue. Participants will need to pay a small fee to help cover some of the costs (so that we can run more of these learning weekends) and their accommodation if required.
They hope that lots of Fanciers make an effort to come along and listen to the most experienced judges and exhibitors in Australia. Many exhibitors, particularly rural ones, rarely get this sort of opportunity and we at ANRCI are very proud to be offering these great learning experiences.
It is envisaged that this road show will also visit Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
People keep rabbits for many reasons. Many of us buy a bunny as a pet for ourselves or our children. Some people decide that they would like to have pure bred rabbits and exhibit them in competitions. Others keep them for Agility or Hopping Competitions. Keeping rabbits as a food, fur or fiber source is also quite common. Whether you keep your bunny for a pet or for exhibition they hope to provide you with all the information you need.
https://www.australiannationalrabbitcouncil.com/
European Association of Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cavy Breeders. The EE for short.
European Association of Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Founded in 1938 .
As a charitable and non party political and non denominational organization, it is the objective of the EE to unite all small livestock organizations in Europe. The object of our organization is also, apart from enhancing the contact among nations, to process the technical and breeding problems of all indigenous breeds. A further object includes taking charge of shows and judging panels. Organizing shows and seminars as well as dealing with all technical issues unites all European small livestock fanciers, which is a high priority within our organization.
Austria : Rassezuchtverband Österreichischer Kleintierzüchter
Belgium : Fédération Nationale des Éleveurs d’Animaux de Basse-Cour asbl
Bulgaria
Croatia : Hrvatski Savez udruga uzgajatelja malih životinja
Czech Republic : Český svaz chovatelů
Denmark : Danmarks Kaninavlerforening
Finland: Finnish Rabbit and Rodent Breeders’ Federation
France : Fédération Française de Cuniculiculture
Germany : Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchter e.V.
Great Britain : The British Rabbit Council
Hungary : Magyar Galamb- És Kisállattenyésztők Országos Szövetsége
Italy : Federazione Italiana delle Associazioni Avicole
Lettonia
Luxemburg : Union des Sociétés avicoles du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
Netherland : Kleindier Liefhebbers Nederland
Norway : Norges Kaninavlsforbund
Poland: Polski Związek Hodowców
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Slowakia : Slovenský Zväz Chovateľov
Slowenia : Slovenska zveza društev gojiteljev pasemskih malih živali
Spain : Federación Española de Avicultura, Colombicultura y Cunicultura de Raza
Sweden : Svensk duvavelsförening
Switzerland : Kleintiere Schweiz
The European Standards Committee of the Rabbit section (ESKK) is a technical committee within the EE.
The European Society for Poultry and Rabbit breeding (European Society for Small Livestock breeding) was founded in Brussels on the 18th of June 1938 by the small livestock societies of Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The society will hereinafter be referred to as the EE, in line with the French translation of the original name - Entente Européenne d'Aviculture et de Cuniculture.
Nowadays the EE is known as: European Association of Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cavy breeders. The legal seat of the EE is in Luxembourg.
The European Standard Committee(ESKK) has the responsibility to establish a European standard and thereafter amend it whenever necessary, in accordance with the Constitution of the EE
The European standard has been in existence in German since 2012. All non German speaking countries can translate this standard and use all photographs after approval of the ESKK
In order for a breed or colour to be included in the European standard, it needs to be fully standardised in at least 3 EE affiliated countries. The breed or colour must have been shown at a European show prior to inclusion.
Breeds or colours of rabbit that are not included in the European standard, can be judged at a European show as long as a guidance description is available to the judge in one of the 3 official languages (German,English or French).
31 Nations comprising 2.5 million members
It seems that they are the holder of the rules for Kanin Hop as well.
Changes of these regulations require the consent of the European Kanin Hop responsible. The consent shall require a simple majority of countries organizing Kanin Hop tournaments.
http://www.entente-ee.com/about-us/

The Malta Rabbit Club
The Malta Rabbit Club - in brief
The Malta Rabbit Club was founded in 1964. The club has approximately 300 members and amongs others, the club organises an Annual National Rabbit Championship Show. Over 40 different rabbit breeds in around 160 classes.
Malta National Rabbit Society
- WHERE EXHIBITION AND LEARNING ARE A PLEARSURE !!!
http://www.petngarden.com/maltarabbitclub/
Benefits of Joining an Organization
Here's five great reasons why joining an organization near you is a good idea:
1. When you join a rabbit organization you will get to meet other rabbit breeders from abroad and have an opportunity to learn, share and gain valuable experience in your field.
2. You get to stay informed about the latest news in the rabbit industry on a consistent basis.
3. If you love rabbits, you'll fine the atmosphere of events etc fun and enjoyable as you learn and share.
4. You have the opportunity to help “give back” to the rabbit industry as a whole.
5. If you are joining an organization specializing in rabbits you will potentially have the opportunity to help save the lives of bunny rabbits whether you adopt or donate.
https://www.justrabbits.com/rabbit-organizations.html

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