USDA Classifies Rabbits as Poultry

http://www.hfa.org/about/rabbits.pdf

USDA Classifies Rabbits as Poultry, Deeming it Unnecessary to Render Animals Unconscious before Slaughter

http://www.willasark.com/poultry.cfm

According to the Humane Farming Association, the USDA has decided to classify rabbits as "poultry" and are therefore excluded from the Humane Slaughter Act. The Humane Slaughter Act requires slaughter houses to render animals unconscious before killing them.

When it comes to smaller animals, the USDA doesn't even pretend to protect them. Over 9 billion chickens and turkeys are slaughtered each year inhumanely, and the USDA has just classified rabbits as poultry. Unfortunately, slaughter houses are not showing their more compassionate side and using humane practices to slaughter these animals either.