Please help.... matted woolies

[Mccjmathews]

Hello, my girls were gifted 2 New Jersey woolies. They are severely matted, I have tried combing (with comb and slicker brush) and have resorted to using scissors because the mats are so bad (they have bald spots). Can I shave them? What should I use? My girls want to show them January 25th but I have told them that may not be possible this time due to all the mats. I have been told that I cut their fur or shave them that we may not be able to show them because the fur/wool won’t grow back right.
So confused and just want the bunnies to feel better

 

[Mariam+Theo]

I would cut the mats off, but not to the skin. I have very fluffy cats and when their fur gets matted I will try to work the knots out and if that doesn't work I gently cut them off.