Back in 1963, the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) was created by people who saw the need for an organisation using direct action to combat the evils of hunting. The HSA quickly grew around the country and as the years passed the organisation became more formal with a constitution and committee. In the late 1980s a rogue element on the committee tried to take us away from direct action but were roundly defeated and disappeared into obscurity.
The HSA became a non-profit limited company, fully democratic and has no paid staff or offices, which we believe is unique with an organisation of its longevity and reach. Our membership is now the largest of all the other anti-hunt groups in the UK and, of course, we are the only one putting people in the field to protect wildlife. Hunt Sab evidence has been responsible for ALL the past 25 Hunting Act convictions against organised hunts, more than any other organisation – that number will continue to rise.
Over the past two decades, successive committees have pursued a more professional approach in our literature, merchandise and general outreach to the public and Parliament. This has seen our finances grow considerably and, with no wages to burden us, the vast majority of our resources are pumped back into our local groups, which includes action against the badger cull and shooting.
In addition, our local groups have restarted direct action against stag hunting which had been in abeyance due the high physical risk involved in confronting hunters in that area. The HSA has assisted by supporting the additional cost of fuel as large number of sabs are required traveling long distances.
We are the only recognised source of real-time information on hunting in the UK, and other groups would effectively be blind to the realities of hunting if it wasn’t for the HSA and our affiliated groups. The evidence we obtain has seen recent major news stories in mainstream papers, ITV and C4.
Without our work exposing the ‘smokescreen’ of trail hunting we would not have bans on land owned by the National Trust, Forestry England, MOD and others. Again, we are the only group which maintains a vigilance to ensure these bans are upheld.
All this without paying a penny to look after offices or staff.
All maintained by an amazing group of local hunt sabs volunteers, a dedicated committee drawn from those groups, widespread public support and a lot of sheer grit, courage and dedication.
Long may it continue!
We are the only organisation that works directly in the field to save wildlife through direct action.
