Following recent incidents involving the theft and mistreatment of pet rabbits, it's time to strengthen their legal protection.

Rabbits are the UK's third most popular mammalian pet, with hundreds of thousands living in loving homes across the country.

Yet rabbits are excluded from the Pet Abduction Act 2024, which introduced specific legal protections for dogs and cats.

Rabbits are intelligent, sensitive animals that form strong bonds with their owners and companions. Stealing a rabbit can cause enormous distress, both to the animal and the family who loves them.

Why should stealing someone's rabbit be treated differently from stealing their dog or cat?

The Government already has powers under Section 3 of the Act to extend these protections to other pets, subject to evidence about the scale of abductions.

We're calling on the Government to:

• Extend the Pet Abduction Act 2024 to include rabbits.
• Improve the recording of rabbit thefts to support this change.
• Recognise that all pets deserve protection, regardless of species

Rabbits aren't just possessions. They're living, feeling animals and beloved members of our families.

Please sign and share to help give rabbits the protection they deserve.