There are many varieties of Angora rabbits. Some are the molting variety, and some are non-molting. Non-molting varieties (Germans, German-hybrids, some English lines and recently, some French lines) MUST BE SHEARED! They may not be plucked, as their wool does not release. The only other option is to feed them a depilatory drug (similar to those used in chemotherapy), which I feel is outrageous. And before you suggest that we eliminate the non-molting varieties to get rid of this ‘cruelty’: it has been shown that matting and wool-block are due, in the majority, to molting. My non-molting Germans and German/hybrids do not have excessive matts, and do not suffer from excessive wool in their digestion.

Angoras must be plucked or sheared regularly to prevent wool-block and/or heat stroke, both of which are fatal. Also, an Angora in full coat eats less food, so allowing one to remain in full coat could potentially lead to long-term malnutrition. An Angora in full coat is often unable to reach it’s back-end. This is important because rabbits produce, from their back ends, cecotropes, which are critical to their nutrition. An Angora that cannot eat it’s cecotropes will eventually die. In addition, an Angora that is unable to reach it’s back end for cleaning will become vulnerable to fly-strike, where flys lay their eggs on the rabbit, and it becomes infested with maggots, eating it alive. Finally, an angora who is not sheared or at the least, groomed, can become so entangled in it’s own matts that it is no longer able to hop.

As far as shearing a rabbit, I have some that are completely cooperative, even laying calmly on their backs while I scissor away. I have others that are calm except when it comes time to do their underside, and I have others that won’t sit still for a grooming, let alone the HOURS it takes to do scissor shearing. This has nothing to do with how well socialized they are. Each of my Angoras is socialized, and allowed out to exercise. I groom them every couple of weeks, whether they need it or not (usually not), just to keep them used to it.

I would love one of these pieces of equipment. It would allow me to cut my shearing time down from 6 hours (with breaks for bunny and me) to less than 20 minutes. It would prevent the rabbit from struggling when it is on it’s back, thus lessening the potential for spinal injuries (rabbits have surprisingly fragile spines). Finally, it would give me more control over the shearing process, making nicks and cuts very unlikely.

For those of you with one or two bunnies who use them for spinning or other fiber arts, it is wonderful that you have the time to spend with your rabbits, and are able to groom them daily. This is entirely unreasonable for even a small commercial operation, and, despite their ‘cuteness,’ Angoras are intended as an agricultural animal, not a pet breed.

For those of you who contend that we should allow the Angora breed to go extinct, and not use animal fibers at all…well…it’s not going to happen any time in the foreseeable future. Sorry.

I would much rather use animal fibers for warmth (Angora is 8-10x warmer than wool, and relatively non-itchy in comparison), than the chemical soups used to create synthetic fibers. And, to my knowledge, there are no plant fibers that can even begin to compare to the warmth and water resistance of the animal fibers. So, if you want to go through a New England winter with cotton as the only barrier between you and the elements, be my guest. I’ll be wearing my Angora.

Yes, Angoras need to be sheared or plucked 3 or 4 times a year, however this can easily be achieved by simply letting the rabbit lay on a table or in your lap. Shearing alone poses a risk of injury; plucking, however, is simply pulling tufts of already loose fur out of the rabbit’s coat, which does not harm the animal at all, nor poses any uncomfort. However, rabbits are extremely delicate animals, and by tying them up as such just to shear them, they could easily dislocate or break a limb, or worse.

I currently own a 1 and a half year old French Angora who still has all the energy he had when I first got him at 8 weeks. With a few treats and some much deserved forehead-rubs, even he lays calmly on a table while he receives his haircuts.

Yes, there is much animal cruelty in our world today, however, my point in this reply is simply to, hopefully, let everyone know that there are easier, humane ways to harvest an Angora’s wool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR4Z2PJZ21Y

However, if you prefer to hand shear, then this video may be a better resource.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Ba5e9qf

Regards,

Jason

But I my argument is not that the rabbits should not be sheared, but that people should not use them for their purposes at all. Angora rabbits only exist because there are consumers who are willing to buy animal products. If this market did not exist, humans would not have bred rabbits with such excessive fur that needs such intense care. There would be no problem with animal cruelty!

Animal cruelty is not part of the “natural progression” of life. Yes, I am a consumer, but a compassionate, educated one. I understand that someone slaughters the pig that becomes the bacon in my supermarket, and that is why I do not buy it.

To Cassandra: No, it’s not ok to shear a sheep. They have it even worse off than the rabbits!

To Mia: No, I do not own any items with leather, feathers, or wool.
I agree there is no magic dust to make the use of animals completely cruelty free… so let’s stop using animals!!

And on an unrelated note, To Jpo: not everyone uses the American spelling of “organization!”

I had an angora rabbit and he had so many mats, I wish I could of sheared him. Since it’s getting to be summer, I’m sure they’re more comfortable without all that wool on. Imagine wearing a wool coat in the summer, then you’ll be in their shoes.

The picture looks scary because the rabbit is all curled up, not necessarily because he’s in pain. I’m sure being tied up is uncomfortable, but dying of heat stroke is even worse.

See what I’m saying?

you use shampoo?? soap? nail polish? wear leather, eat rice, eat food??? all these things are made and processed WITH HUNDREDS OF ANIMALS DYING IN THE PROCESS. Many cosmetics use animal by-pass products or derived products, many products use animals as testing subjects ( about 90% of the industry) where they basically torture animals just to make YOUR everyday products ‘people friendly’. So before you start bashing a rabbit being shaved (and forgetting if you dont shave or clip them the hair becomes matted and painful for the rabbit), remember you are participating in a much more gruesome role.