More than 250 rabbits judged Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The Little Whiskers 4-H Youth Rabbit Club hosted more than 250 rabbits at the Grant County Fairgrounds on Saturday.

People from Oregon to Montana came to the event to show their rabbits in hopes of getting an award. Netherland Dwarfs, Mini Rexes and Polish Mini Lops were a few types of rabbits featured at the event.

Club President Allison Kenny, 17, brought five Netherland Dwarfs to the show. One of her friends got her interested in showing rabbits several years ago, she said. Ever since then the activity takes up a large amount of her time, but it is something she enjoys.

"It helps me and my mom stay close," she said. "It's really family oriented and it's something we can do that doesn't cost an arm and a leg."

As club president she has many duties. She referred to the position as similar to crisis management control.

She runs meetings, makes sure the show runs smoothly, answers questions at the events and finds judges for the events too, she said.

In addition to being the club president, she is also a well decorated member of the club.

Kenny plans to attend a national rabbit convention in Fort Worth, Texas, she said. She is also the Third Runner-up Washington State Rabbit Queen.

There is a lot of work associated with showing rabbits, she said. Approximately 50 percent is knowledge and the other half is judging.

There is an essay portion, an interview and the participants must be able to identify various characteristics of the rabbits including their breed.

The rabbits are judged on how close they appear to the standard ideal of the breed being judged. Some of the areas they are judged on includes size, weight, teeth and eyes.

"We are one of the biggest rabbit clubs in the area," she added.

The club is not secluded to Moses Lake, she said. People from all over Grant County are welcome to participate.

"We try to make it as fun as possible," Kenny said.

An enrollment meeting will be held this month. An $8 fee is required for one year of enrollment. The fee is split between 4-H membership and club membership. Youth from second grade through high school are welcome to join. The fee includes affiliation with the American Rabbit Breeding Association.

For more information, call 509-765-0986.