The Structure of ARBA Rabbit Clubs in Ontario

The structuring and workings of ARBA clubs within Ontario have been a source of much confusion for many people. What is the difference between the Ontario club and the local clubs? What are the geographical boundaries between the clubs and which club, if any, should a person join? Do you join based on where you live or where you show? How does a person join a club and why? 

ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) is an international organization. It is split into 9 geographical Districts. Each District contains multiple regions, states, or provinces. Ontario is part of ARBA District 8, together with Manitoba, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. 

The ARBA club hierarchy follows a similar structure. Operating under ARBA are National Breed Clubs (each breed has one and there can only be one per breed or a group of breeds as is the case with the Angoras), followed by State All Breed Clubs and Specialty Clubs (these are for each state or province, organized by local members) followed by Regional All Breed and Specialty Clubs (for specific cities within a state or province, organized by local members). 

Regional clubs must specify what city they are based out of, but are not limited to being named after or operating within the limits of that city or region. For example, the Rabbit Renegades club which will be hosting the 2025 Convention, hosts local shows in multiple locations. ARBA requires special approval if more than one club wants to be registered within the same city, however there is no limit to how many clubs can operate within a state or province.



In addition, a club can choose to be either an all breed club, or a specialty club. Specialty club designations include: breed, youth, performance, or commercial. All of these can be formed as state or regional clubs. In Ontario, all of our clubs are all breed clubs. 

Any one who is a member of ARBA can start a regional club and apply to have it chartered with the ARBA for official status. A regional all breed club must have a minimum of 6 members at all times who are also current members of ARBA in order to maintain their official status. There is no limit to how many clubs a person can join.

Why form an official ARBA recognized club? ARBA shows can only be put on by an ARBA recognized club or fair. Any group of people who wish to organize their own ARBA show must first become an ARBA recognized club. 

Regional clubs (and by default it's members) can choose to be members of their State club and that is the case with all current regional clubs in Ontario. Hence, any person who becomes a member of one of the regional clubs in Ontario, automatically becomes a member of our state club, the Ontario Council of Rabbit Clubs (OCORC). This is particularly important for us in Ontario. A liability insurance policy is needed in order to host a show and these can be expensive. Instead of each regional club maintaining their own insurance policy, the OCORC maintains one, and each regional club (being members of OCORC) is allowed to use it for their own events. Without this support from our provincial club, hosting shows would become financially prohibitive for our clubs. In order for OCORC to maintain it's official status with ARBA, it must at all times maintain a membership from at least 3 regional clubs. While anyone can join a regional club, the members of a state or provincial club must be residents of that state or province.

Why join a club? Without our clubs we would not have our shows. We need local club members and volunteers (most often the family of club members) in order for these shows to keep happening. Club members pick show dates and judges, contact the judges and make any necessary lodging accommodations for them, book the show location, procure prizes, gather all supplies needed for the show, organize any contests and raffles, organize all food and refreshments, set up the showroom, and lastly tear it all down at the end of the show day. By joining a local club, you help to support our hobby so that we all have shows we can attend. 

Similar to the national breed clubs, the OCORC runs a sweepstakes contest for it's members. Every time you show, you earn sweepstakes points. If you are a member of OCORC, that can mean extra recognition and possibly prizes. 

Which club should you join? There are no rules for that. You can join any regional club you wish. That could be the club that is closest to you, or it could be the club that puts on your all time favourite show. If you can't decide, you can join multiple clubs. If you are a resident of Ontario, you can also join the OCORC without joining a local club. As a member of the OCORC, you will be able to cast your vote on any issues that are brought up at the annual OCORC meeting. This meeting traditionally takes place at the first show of the season. A provincial club is obligated by ARBA to hold at minimum one such meeting per year. 

How do you join a club? That's as easy as sending an email to a representative of the local club you wish to join. Occasionally, membership forms are available at a show. It is up to each club to decide how much to charge for membership but these fees tend to be very nominal. Club fees help to pay for club activities as well as the liability insurance policy we all need to keep running our shows.

Here is a current list of ARBA clubs in Ontario.

OCORC - Ontario Council of Rabbit Clubs
Our provincial ARBA club

Regional ARBA Clubs in Ontario:

CORBC - Central Ontario Rabbit Breeders Club
This is a new club formed in late 2024. They plan to host shows in the Kawartha and Durham regions.

EORFC - Eastern Ontario Rabbit Fanciers Club
This club hosts the Spencerville show near Brockville.

FCRBC - Forest City Rabbit Breeders Club
This club hosts the Komoka show near London.

KWRBC - Kitchener Waterloo Rabbit Breeders Club. 
This club hosts the Burford show near Brantford.

SORBA - Southern Ontario Rabbit Breeders Association
This club hosts the Rockton show near Hamilton.



If you would like to learn more, all of this information can be found within the ARBA Constitution (Article II) which is published on the ARBA website here. 

ARBA also publishes a list of existing clubs on their website here, although not all clubs are listed.