Feverishly multiplying bunnies taking over Valley Ridge
October 17, 2007 By Pablo Fernandez - Calgary Sun
The community of Valley Ridge is being overrun by bunnies, a situation that has an animal rescue agency pleading with Calgarians not to purchase rabbits as pets.
Dozens of rabbits have made yards and green spaces in the northwest Calgary community their home. They are feasting on gardens and provoking the ire of residents, some who have called for the culling of the growing bunny population.
The city doesn't want to euthanize the animals, which are already facing death at the jaws of coyotes or the harsh looming winter, said Bill Bruce with Calgary Bylaw and Animal Services. "They're a concern because they attract coyote activity and there's concern about their welfare," he said. "These are domestic animals who have been let loose ... they're not equipped to handle Alberta winters."
Captured rabbits are being kept in host homes until they get shipped to a sanctuary in the Okanagan area of B.C.
Run, rabbit, run
Thursday, October 18, 2007 Calgary Herald
Those little rabbits running wild in Valley Ridge should go hopping down the
bunny trail -- straight to the Mustard Seed or other local soup kitchens.
Folks from Pound Rescue are trapping hundreds of domestic rabbits, thoughtlessly
turned loose by their owners, and plan to send them to live in a sanctuary near
Kelowna. It may come as a surprise to learn that rabbits need a sanctuary, as
their legendary reproductive powers mean they'll never find their way onto the
endangered species list. There's a better solution for these wascally wabbits,
apart from leaving them for the coyotes to prey upon.
They can take a one-way hop to the butcher shop, and be turned into delicious
rabbit stew for the homeless and hungry folks of Calgary.
- Following letter sent on October 18th was published Sunday, October 21, 2007.
- Response to - Re: "Run, rabbit, run," Editorial, Oct. 18.
Rabbit stew is taboo
- October 21, 2007 Calgary Herald
Just because thoughtless people have dumped their pet rabbits outside to fend for themselves is no reason to suggest they be re-victimized again by having them butchered to feed the homeless and hungry. I seriously doubt the editorial would have proposed this if it were cats or dogs. It's callous human attitudes and actions that has Valley Ridge and communities everywhere flooded with cast-off bunnies.
One way to help end the abandonment and reduce populations is to have all pet stores stop selling rabbits.
- Carmina Gooch
- North Vancouver, BC
- Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC
- www.rabbitadvocacy.com
- No bunny abuse
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 Calgary Herald
Stew - Re: "Rabbit stew is taboo," Letter, Oct. 21 and "Run, rabbit, run," Editorial, Oct. 18.
Hats off to Carmina Gooch for a wonderful response to a heartless editorial. To suggest an inhumane solution to a problem, especially one instigated by humans, is also irresponsible.
An editorial board of a major urban newspaper is in a position to effect positive social change, such as opening the eyes of the citizenry to the fact that humans, cats and dogs are not the only sentient beings on the planet.
True compassion is not selective, but extends to all breathing, feeling creatures. This may come as a shock, but rabbits, cows, pigs and chickens all feel terror and pain as they are being caught and butchered to feed us humans. Surely in the 21st century we can recommend more humane methods.
Amba Balu, Calgary
Comment: We are continuing with our campaigns to have pet stores stop selling rabbits and are running an ad in the Calgary Herald on October 23rd. We are also asking that the Calgary Humane Society support our efforts.
Once again we are asking the public to support our campaigns to stop rabbit sales in pet stores. We ran a previous ad in the Calgary Herald on June 7, 2007 and at the same time created an online petition and letter to Petcetera asking that the sale of rabbits be stopped in stores Canada-wide. Residents of Alberta are having concerns of multiplying rabbits not only in Canmore but in Calgary as well. The casual dumping of domestic rabbits once the novelty has worn off has many communities facing the dilemma of how to handle growing populations. Carmina Gooch
October 20, 2007
- To: The Board of Directors
- Calgary Humane Society
Calgary Humane Society,
Further to our earlier correspondence to you, dated May 3, 2007 and May 29, 2007, copies of which are attached for your reference, we again write to bring attention to the situation of abandoned pet rabbits multiplying out of control in Alberta.
The concern of Calgary residents regarding the pet rabbits being dumped into the Valley Ridge neighbourhood and proliferating unchecked is now becoming an issue.
Pet stores and casual breeders are flooding the market with baby rabbits, most of whom are bought on impulse and subsequently abandoned once the novelty has worn off. There is no consideration for the future well-being of these creatures; the bottom line is profit over lives. The cost to the communities and rescue organizations who are busy trying to cope with the multitudes of cast-offs is enormous in both tax dollars and animal suffering.
The Town of Canmore was highlighted in a National Post newspaper story (March 17, 2007 – article attached) as it struggled to deal with an out of control domestic rabbit population crisis caused by irresponsible dumping of unwanted pet rabbits. The town is now in a quandary on what to do about the situation. Valley Ridge in Calgary is the latest to experience a similar dilemma. Colonies of abandoned domestic rabbits will continue to spring up all over and, unless the breeding and selling of unneutered rabbits is stopped, the trend will continue, unabated.
Please join our efforts and ask Petcetera and other pet stores to discontinue selling rabbits. There are enormous numbers of homeless ones waiting to be adopted and countless others being put down because there are not enough good homes. If the Calgary Humane Society, the Edmonton Humane Society and the public combine efforts, we will be successful in reducing populations.
Please visit the following websites to join our rabbit campaign and lessen the cruelty and avoidable community predicaments with dumped abandoned rabbits in Alberta. Animal welfare demands we address this situation.
- Pacific Animal Foundation pacificanimal.org
- Pets In Need Society petsinneedsociety.ca (2010 no longer active)
- Rabbit Advocacy Group of
BC
rabbitadvocacy.com
Sincerely,
- Carmina Gooch, President
- Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC
Cc: Edmonton Humane Society
September 13, 2012 Banff moving fast to remove rabbits
April 7, 2013 The mysterious case of Calgary’s frolicking arrow-shot bunnies; updates
Comment: Somebody has to know who these idiot/s are and turn them in. How very sad that the innocent are targetted by such cowards.
July 22, 2019 3rd rabbit (feral domestic) spotted in SE Calgary with arrow through it. Another rabbit was seen roaming around southeast Calgary with an arrow through its back on Monday.
It’s the third time this year an incident like this has happened. One rabbit was seen with an arrow lodged in its body in May and a small rabbit was seen in the Manchester Industrial area with an arrow through its shoulder a week ago.
While it is legal for rabbits to be hunted within city limits, the use of bows is not. It is still unknown if all three cases are linked or if the animals were shot by different people. Source: Global News Comment: The person/s doing this must be stopped; it’s a reckless use of a weapon and callous disregard for life.
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April 26, 2017 Calgary neighbourhoods are hopping with cute and fuzzy bunnies, but the city is asking residents to resist the urge to feed them. Feral rabbit populations are a growing concern, particularly in the communities of Erlton, Bridgeland and Ramsay. So, is it legal to adopt them? (CBC News posed this question)
The City of Calgary does not allow people to trap wild animals in public areas, such as parks. As for catching a domestic rabbit on private property, it is legal. The same regulations apply in BC.
Domestic rabbits introduced to the wild are not the same as native rabbits. Most companion animals are unable to fend for themselves and are likely to become sick, dehydrated, injured, or prey, very quickly. That’s why throughout time people ignore bylaws, laws, or regulations and follow their moral principles. Without compassion, humanity will not survive. All animals deserve our kindness and respect.
Visit our Pet Shops/Rabbits/Legislation page to read more!