Natural State Rabbit Animal Welfare Policy Statement
At Natural State Rabbit we are committed to producing the highest-quality rabbit meat while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare. Our mission is to ensure that every rabbit under our care is raised in a manner that promotes health, minimizes stress, and adheres to the strictest guidelines for humane treatment. We believe that ethical farming practices not only contribute to the well-being of our animals but also guarantee the safety, quality, and nutritional value of our products for consumers.
Housing and Environment
Our rabbits are housed in climate-controlled buildings designed to maintain optimal temperature, humidity, and ventilation levels throughout the year. Each animal is kept in an individual cage that is constructed and managed according to USDA guidelines for health and safety. This controlled environment minimizes stress and reduces the risk of disease by providing a consistent, safe enclosure that meets all regulatory standards. Our facility design and management protocols are continually reviewed and updated to reflect the industry’s best practices and USDA recommendations, ensuring that our rabbits enjoy a secure and comfortable living space.
Nutrition and Health
We prioritize the nutritional well-being of our rabbits by feeding them a commercially available balanced rabbit pellet, which contains only all natural ingredients and is formulated to provide complete nutrition essential for healthy growth and development. This diet is carefully chosen to meet all the dietary needs of our rabbits, necessary for maintaining robust health. Importantly, we never use antibiotics or any form of medication in our meat animals. This commitment stems from our belief in promoting natural health management practices that rely on optimal living conditions and nutrition to prevent illness, rather than chemical interventions. By abstaining from antibiotics and medications, we not only safeguard the natural physiology of our animals but also ensure that our rabbit meat is free from undesirable chemical residues.
Compliance with USDA Guidelines
Adherence to USDA guidelines is at the core of our operational philosophy. Voluntarily following these guidelines ensures that every aspect of our rabbit meat production process from farm to table meets or exceeds the prescribed standards for animal health and safety. Our compliance with these guidelines is a reflection of our dedication to animal welfare. By operating within this framework, we guarantee that our practices are transparent, accountable, and aligned with the highest levels of animal care, food safety, and ethical standards. Regular audits and internal reviews ensure that our procedures remain current and further reinforce our commitment to excellence in animal care.
Humane Processing Practices
When our rabbits reach the appropriate age and weight, they are processed at our company owned processing plant, one of the only USDA-inspected rabbit processing plants in the USA. Our facility is held to the most stringent federal standards for food safety and humane handling, ensuring that every stage of the processing is conducted with respect and care for the animal. The USDA inspection provides an extra layer of assurance that all operations adhere to rigorous sanitary protocols and humane practices. By operating a USDA-inspected facility, we can maintain the integrity and safety of our product from farm to table, instilling confidence in our customers regarding the ethical treatment of the animals and the quality of the meat.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
At Natural State Rabbit our commitment to animal welfare is an evolving process. We continually invest in research, training, and facility upgrades to remain at the forefront of ethical rabbit meat production. Our team of experts regularly evaluates our practices, ensuring that we not only meet but exceed industry standards. We actively seek feedback from regulatory bodies, animal welfare organizations, and our customers to identify areas for improvement. Transparency is a key pillar of our operation, and we are dedicated to sharing our animal welfare practices with the public, reinforcing our promise to uphold the highest ethical standards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Natural State Rabbit stands firmly behind our animal welfare policy, which is built on the pillars of safe housing, optimal nutrition free from antibiotics, and humane processing practices. Our commitment to providing a controlled and nurturing environment for our rabbits is unwavering, as we strive to lead the industry in ethical rabbit meat production. We are proud to offer a product that not only meets the highest standards of quality and safety but is also produced with genuine respect for the animals we raise.
Natural State Rabbit Animal Welfare Policy Statement
All employees are required to read, understand, and sign this acknowledgement to confirm their commitment to upholding these standards:
Commitment to Quality and Ethical Standards
- I acknowledge that Natural State Rabbit is dedicated to producing the highest-quality rabbit meat while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare.
- I understand that our mission is to ensure every rabbit is raised in a manner that promotes health, minimizes stress, and adheres to strict humane treatment guidelines.
Housing and Environment
- I recognize that all rabbits are housed in specialized cages and buildings that maintain optimal temperature, humidity, and ventilation year-round and managed for the rabbits’ health and safety.
- I understand that this controlled environment minimizes stress and reduces disease risk by providing a consistent, safe enclosure that meets all regulatory standards.
Nutrition and Health
- I understand that our rabbits receive a balanced diet of commercially available rabbit pellets made with all-natural ingredients, ensuring complete nutrition for healthy growth and development.
- I acknowledge that we do not use antibiotics or any form of medication in our meat animals, a practice that safeguards the natural physiology of our animals and ensures our meat is free of undesirable chemical residues.
Humane Processing Practices
- I acknowledge that when our rabbits reach the appropriate age and weight, they are processed at our company-owned processing plant—one of the only USDA-inspected rabbit processing plants in the USA.
- I understand that this facility meets stringent federal standards for food safety and humane handling, ensuring respectful and careful processing at every stage.
- I recognize that USDA inspection adds an extra layer of assurance that our operations adhere to rigorous sanitary protocols and humane practices from farm to table.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
- I understand that Natural State Rabbit is committed to continuously investing in research, training, and facility upgrades to remain at the forefront of ethical rabbit meat production.
- I acknowledge that our team of experts regularly evaluates our practices to not only meet but exceed industry standards.
- I agree that feedback from regulatory bodies, animal welfare organizations, and our customers is essential to identifying areas for improvement, and that transparency is a key pillar of our operation.
Overall Ethical Commitment
- I understand that our ethical farming practices are designed to produce a product that meets the highest standards of quality and safety, while also demonstrating genuine respect for the animals we raise.
- I pledge to uphold and support these policies in my daily work and contribute to a culture of ethical animal care and welfare.