Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Ferret (Mustela putorius furo) CXCL12 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12), also known as SDF-1 (stromal cell–derived factor-1), is a homeostatic chemokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that plays a critical role in cell migration, immune cell trafficking, and tissue development. In rabbits and ferrets, the CXCL12 protein is identical at the amino acid level, indicating strong evolutionary conservation and suggesting similar biological functions in these species. CXCL12 is produced by stromal cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and bone marrow niche cells, where it regulates the migration and positioning of hematopoietic stem cells, lymphocytes, and other progenitor cells. The chemokine primarily signals through the receptors CXCR4 and ACKR3 (CXCR7), guiding immune cells and stem cells to specific tissues and supporting hematopoiesis, immune surveillance, tissue repair, and organ development. In rabbits and ferrets, the CXCL12–CXCR4 signaling axis is important for maintaining bone marrow stem cell niches and lymphoid tissue organization, and it has been studied in animal models of cardiovascular disease and respiratory viral infections, including ferret models of influenza virus infection, where chemokine-mediated immune cell trafficking contributes to immune responses and tissue repair during lung inflammation. These models help researchers investigate stem cell migration, immune regulation, and chemokine signaling pathways relevant to both veterinary and human biomedical research.