Rabbits and hares fall through the gaps in animal law
Wild and domestic. In the UK and internationally.
Hop to Save Rabbits works to close those gaps for companion and farmed rabbits, and for wild rabbits and hares. We submit evidence to governments, regulators and parliamentary committees, and run or support targeted campaigns.
Impact at a glance
17 formal submissions and representations across 8 countries and the EU
3 papers in the parliamentary record
The Sentencing Council named and quoted HTSR
Our impact so far
Our work covers wild and domestic rabbits and hares in the UK and internationally. Some submissions have produced published outcomes; others remain pending.
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION
The Sentencing Council named and quoted HTSR
PARLIAMENTARY RECORD
Three HTSR papers entered the official record
FORMAL PARTICIPATION
17 submissions and representations across 8 countries and the EU
CURRENT POSITION
Government and corporate decisions awaited
Hare-coursing sentencing guidelines
HTSR asked for suffering, injury and death to count as serious harm. The Sentencing Council named and quoted HTSR in its official consultation response.
Read the outcome →
UK parliamentary evidence
HTSR submitted evidence on trade, labelling, farming and rabbits as a gap species. Three HTSR papers entered the official House of Commons record.
Read the papers →
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VARC 2026: Rabbits in Law and Policy — From the Meat Trade to Military Training
Dedicated to Sandy, 15 August 2019 – 17 March 2026, with love. I was honoured to speak at VARC 2026 on rabbits in law and policy. This presentation examined how…
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Overview: Ending the Era of Animal Testing
This report by Hop to Save Rabbits examines the legal, ethical, and scientific arguments against the continued use of animals in laboratory research. While millions of animals—including rabbits, dogs, and…
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Overview: Tackling the Rabbit Abandonment Crisis
Rabbit abandonment is a significant and growing welfare crisis across the UK. While the tireless work of rescue centres remains vital, long-term success depends on a “prevention-first” approach that addresses…
How we create change
HTSR works in two ways. We submit evidence to governments, regulators, parliamentary committees and companies. We also lead or amplify credible petitions. Formal evidence puts rabbit and hare welfare before decision-makers; petitions show public support for change.
Where we’re heading
Our long-term goals cover rabbits and hares: end the hunting of wild rabbits and hares; end the farming, slaughter and trade of rabbits for meat; and license rabbit breeders to standards equivalent to dog breeders. These are end goals, not overnight demands. We work towards them through practical reforms in law, welfare standards, licensing, education, enforcement, transparency and humane alternatives.