Labour Politician Calls for Rabbit Owner Training in Wales 2026

Key Points

• Labour politician Mike Hedges has proposed mandatory short training courses for new rabbit owners in Wales as part of broader animal welfare reforms.
• Hedges argued that people should be restricted from owning rabbits until they can demonstrate they understand rabbits’ specific needs.
• The proposal was questioned by Conservative Senedd member Andrew RT Davies, who said it lacked practicality; a Conservative source described it as “hare-brained”.
• A Senedd source told BBC Wales the idea was “hare-brained”, and told the party to focus on broader issues rather than rabbit training.
• Hop to Save Rabbits and the RSPCA welcomed the proposal, noting that rabbits are among the most neglected and misunderstood pets in the UK.
• Hedges also called for microchipping cats, bans on tethering horses, restrictions on primate ownership, cage breeding of game birds, and ending Larsen traps.
• The Senedd’s May election saw Labour lose power in Wales for the first time since 1999; Plaid Cymru became the largest party and took over the Welsh government.
• First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said the Welsh government wants to “set high standards for the treatment of animals” but did not commit to Hedges’ specific measures.
• Wales’ Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter said the Greens would support efforts to improve human knowledge on pet care where there is a clear case.
• The existing Animal Welfare Act 2006 already makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering or fail to meet welfare needs, but the RSPCA calls for an updated Code of Practice for rabbits, unchanged since 2009.
• Social media reaction included strong support for rabbits’ welfare, with comments such as “Rabbits are horrifically misunderstood creatures that require a lot of space”.

Wales (Wales Times) July 02, 2026 – In a heated exchange at First Minister’s Questions in the Senedd, Welsh Labour culture spokesperson Mike Hedges put forward a series of animal welfare reforms for Wales, centred on a proposal that rabbit ownership should be restricted to people who complete a short training course and can show they understand rabbits’ needs.

Hedges framed the proposal as part of a wider package of measures to tackle ignorance and cruelty toward animals. He suggested microchipping cats, banning tethering of horses, restricting primate ownership, ending cage breeding of game birds, and abolishing Larsen traps, which are spring-door wire cages used to catch birds such as magpies and crows.

The core rabbit proposal nonetheless drew the most commentary. Hedges stated: “Wales should allow rabbit ownership only after a short training course where individuals can show they understand the needs of rabbits”. He argued that the current situation reflected badly on society if animals were mistreated “either by ignorance or cruelty”.

Why Are Charities Backing the Call for Rabbit Training?

According to Hop to Save Rabbits, an animal welfare charity, many welfare problems begin before acquisition. The charity said rabbits can be obtained “too easily, with too little understanding of their needs”, leading to poor welfare outcomes including unsuitable housing, loneliness, mis-sexing, unwanted litters, abandonment, and pressure on rescues.

A Hop to Save Rabbits spokesperson said the charity was “very encouraged to see this issue raised in the Senedd” and supported a “short rabbit welfare course before acquisition”. The RSPCA Cymru echoed this, stating that rabbits are “among our most forgotten and misunderstood pets, despite being popular with many people and families”.

The RSPCA also highlighted that rabbits like Buzz, who was abandoned in a garden along with another bunny friend Woody, are searching for their forever homes while being cared for by the RSPCA Bryn Y Maen Animal Centre. Another RSPCA example, Andy, a two-year-old bunny waiting for his forever home at the RSPCA’s Upper Colwyn Bay centre, shows the ongoing demand for rescue and rehoming.

How Have Opposition Parties and Senedd Sources Responded to the Proposal?

Andrew RT Davies, a Conservative Senedd member, questioned “the practicality of the kind of training that has been suggested”. He argued that those in power must focus on feasible measures to deliver the high animal welfare standards the public expects.

A Conservative source told BBC Wales that the proposal was “hare-brained” and added that “people will be hopping mad that Labour see it as a priority”. The source said Hedges should “focus on the mess which his party has left Wales in”.

A Senedd source also told BBC Wales the idea was “hare-brained”, reinforcing the criticism from Conservative voices. These comments came in the context of the Senedd election in May, which saw Labour lose power in Wales for the first time since the country got its own parliament in 1999, with Plaid Cymru becoming its largest party and taking over the running of the Welsh government.

What Has the Welsh Government Said About Animal Welfare Reforms?

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, responding to Hedges’ question, said the Welsh government would “develop a science-led animal health and welfare plan” for the country. When asked directly if the government would bring in Hedges’ specific changes, ap Iorwerth said his government wanted to “set high standards for the treatment of animals”, but did not commit to the training course or other measures proposed.

Hedges described the current situation as reflecting badly on society if animals are mistreated “either by ignorance or cruelty”, and he argued that the government should take stronger action across a range of issues. The Welsh Greens’ leader, Anthony Slaughter, said his party would lend support “wherever there is a case to improve human knowledge around how to best care for a pet”.

What Do Online Reactions to the Rabbit Training Proposal Look Like?

Hedges received hundreds of supportive comments on social media for his comments in the Senedd at First Minister’s Questions, with some saying they were glad “someone stood up for rabbits”. On the BBC Wales News Facebook page, Tamsin wrote:

“Rabbits are horrifically misunderstood creatures that require a lot of space… to be looked after properly. If somebody can’t be bothered to do a little research about a pet they wish to own, they shouldn’t have one”.

Laura added:

“I think more awareness is definitely needed on a rabbit, but I’m not sure about training as such. It’s very easy to research rabbits needs but it’s getting people to do it”.

These comments reflect a mix of strong support for rabbit welfare and some caution about turning awareness into mandatory training.

How Does This Fit With Existing Animal Welfare Law in England and Wales?

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 already makes it an offence in England and Wales to cause animals unnecessary suffering or to fail to meet their welfare needs. RSPCA Cymru said it welcomed the call to improve animal welfare, but stressed that rabbits remain among the most forgotten and misunderstood pets despite their popularity.

The charity is calling on the Welsh government to commit to an “overdue review” and update of the relevant Code of Practice for rabbits, which has been unchanged since its publication in 2009. This suggests that, while the basic legal duty exists, campaigners believe updated guidance and potentially new conditions on ownership could strengthen protection for rabbits.

Background: The Development of Rabbit Welfare Policy in Wales and the UK

The proposed rabbit training course builds on decades of growing concern about rabbit welfare in the UK. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 introduced a general duty of care for all animals, including rabbits, and established the five welfare needs: a suitable environment, a good diet, the ability to exhibit normal behaviour, appropriate housing with or apart from other animals, and protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

In 2009, the UK government published a Code of Practice for the Welfare of Rabbits, which provides guidance on how to meet these needs in practice. That code has not been updated since then, despite changes in rabbit ownership patterns, housing options, and veterinary knowledge. Organisations such as the RSPCA, Hop to Save Rabbits, and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) have since worked on a revised “Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits”, which has been trialled and updated but is not yet statutory.

Mike Hedges’ proposal effectively asks the Welsh government to go beyond updated guidance and to introduce a condition on ownership: that rabbit owners must complete a short training course and demonstrate understanding of rabbits’ needs. This would be a significant step compared with the current framework, which relies on general duties of care and voluntary codes rather than mandatory training.

Prediction: How Could Mandatory Rabbit Training Affect Rabbit Owners and Rescues in Wales?

If the Welsh government adopts Hedges’ proposal and introduces mandatory short training courses for rabbit owners, the immediate effect would likely be to increase the barrier to acquiring a rabbit. Potential owners would need to complete training before purchase or adoption, which could reduce impulsive acquisitions and improve preparation for responsible care.

Rescue organisations such as Hop to Save Rabbits and the RSPCA could see fewer abandonments and less pressure on their resources, as owners would already be equipped with basic knowledge about housing, diet, and social needs. However, critics warn that the measure could be seen as impractical or burdensome, particularly for low-income households or those in areas with limited access to training providers.

The broader impact may also depend on how the training is designed and delivered. If it is accessible, affordable, and clearly linked to existing welfare codes, it could become a model for other pet species. If it is poorly resourced or inconsistently enforced, it could generate resentment and be portrayed as political posturing rather than genuine reform.