About House Rabbit Society
Since 1988, House Rabbit Society, its chapters, small staff, educators, and other volunteers across the globe have been advocating for the care and well-being of rabbits. Our goal is to help people see rabbits as intelligent and social pets who thrive indoors.
HRS’ mission, philosophy, and policies, have influenced the formation of many other nonprofit rabbit rescue groups and set a standard for the treatment and respect of domesticated rabbits. As a nonprofit, we rely on membership support and other donations–large and small. HRS financial documents are provided, which document our programmatic efforts over the past decade.
Contact us if you have any questions or want to get active in helping change the way people view and treat domesticated rabbits—as intelligent and social companions who thrive indoors.
Mission Statement
House Rabbit Society helps people see rabbits as intelligent and social pets who thrive indoors.
Our mission is to save domesticated rabbit lives by changing cultural perceptions and elevating their legal status, quality of care, and living standards as indoor animal companions through education, rescue, and awareness.
We strive to do this by changing cultural perceptions and elevating their legal status, quality of care, and living standards as indoor animal companions through education, rescue, and awareness.
Current Goals
House Rabbit Society aims to do more to positively impact the lives of more rabbits, here and around the world.
Our current efforts include:
Spreading awareness about abandoned rabbits in need of homes and why it is vital that rabbits live indoors as part of the family
Expanding the resources that we provide to our HRS Educators and Chapters both within and outside of the United States, including advanced training for volunteers and access to technological resources, educational support, and informational campaigns around Easter and other relevant events
Enhancing collaboration between our HRS Chapters and other partner organizations
Growing our veterinary training program to increase the number and knowledge of rabbit-savvy vets
Broadening our advocacy efforts and increasing our education of decision makers to influence policies about the special needs of domesticated rabbits
By striving to achieve these goals, we can work together to make the world a safer, more enriched place for rabbits.
Philosophy
Rabbits make social and loving companions. Our goal is to help people see rabbits as intelligent and social pets that thrive indoors. Much like humans, rabbits require mental stimulation, play and exercise, and human contact! And they all have their own unique personalities.
Therefore, House Rabbit Society believes that all domesticated rabbits are valuable as individuals, regardless of breed purity, temperament, state of health, or relationship to humans.
The welfare of all rabbits is our primary consideration. We are against the exploitation of rabbits in any and all forms.
Except for unique situations, in which wild animals are being nursed or rehabilitated, it is in the best interest of wild rabbits that human intervention be held to a minimum.
Domesticated rabbits are not the product of natural selection, but rather of human interference by means of breeding programs, and the product is a human-dependent animal who needs protection. It is therefore a human responsibility that these animals be cared for in a manner appropriate to their needs.
It is in the best interest of domesticated rabbits to be neutered/spayed, to live in human housing where supervision and protection are provided, and to be treated for illnesses by veterinarians.
Domesticated rabbits are companion animals and should be afforded at least the same individual rights, level of care, and opportunity for longevity as commonly afforded to dogs and cats who live as human companions.
Rabbits are intelligent, social animals who require mental stimulation, toys, exercise, environmental activity, and social interaction (from, as appropriate, people, other rabbits, or other animals).
Policies
House Rabbit Society insists on high standards for each of its Chapters and from each of the individual that helps to carry out our work. Therefore, we have the following policies in place to ensure that the welfare of the rabbits is always at the forefront of our efforts:
We do not support or align ourself with any group or individual promoting rabbits as food animals.
We do not support commercial or exploitative interests. Nor do we endorse products. Donations from manufacturers may be gratefully accepted, but no obligation is implied. Objective recommendations of products are occasionally made for health reasons but never in exchange for payment or publicity.
All HRS publicity is to serve in the best interest of the animals and reinforce the image of rabbits as house pets. Promotion should focus more on the merits of the rabbits than on human personalities.
We are dedicated to prolonging quality life for rabbits. Euthanasia is recommended ONLY when irreversible animal suffering is involved and NEVER for owner convenience.
Although House Rabbit Society is involved in rabbit nursing care and health research, all our health research is done by compilation of existing data and necropsy results. We “experiment” only prescriptively to save sick animals and bring about recovery. No animal is ever “sacrificed” for any reason.
Under the terms of our incorporation as a nonprofit organization, House Rabbit Society may not be involved in political activity. House Rabbit Society Members may attempt to influence legislation as individuals but should not do so in the name of the House Rabbit Society.
We respect the privacy of our members. Our mailing list is not shared by other organizations or commercial interests.
We strive to inspire compassion for animals. We pledge to serve only plant-based foods at events sponsored by House Rabbit Society.