They were a common protein source when I was growing up in Ukraine, I'd venture to say similar in neighboring countries.

I remember the taste to be nothing spectacular, it's not venison, if anything I prefer poultry. Anything can taste well enough with butter and garlic. Rabbit is commonly available in my local LatAm and Eastern European stores in Miami, but I don't crave it. Lamb on the other hand...

Most winter hats were made from their fur - Ушанка - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushanka

These were disposable items, the fur wore out very quickly. One per winter if memory serves.