Located near the airport south of Nanaimo a colony of several hundred feral domestic rabbits can be found alongside the highway. This large population is well-established and began when pet owners decided the easiest way to rid themselves of their unwanted companion was to set he or she loose. Abandonment is rampant and colonies are widespread throughout the world.
Domestic rabbits of today are from the common wild rabbit of Western Europe and once released into the environment have a very high mortality rate, generally not surviving more than six months to a year. Among their predators are coyotes, dogs, wild cats, people, and birds of prey. Others are killed by cars or succumb to stress, hunger, sickness, or injury.
In the fall of 2007 a Nanaimo resident told us that the rabbit population appeared to have all but disappeared. Passersby to the ferry used to stop their vehicles to feed the bunnies and a small group of area residents made it their mission to provide greens to these abandoned critters, especially during the winter months. On our visit it was apparent that something had happened to the majority of the population. There were very few rabbits in an empty lot, and none beside the road. We tried to find an answer as to what happened, and while official sources weren't forthcoming, word soon began to spread that somebody had given orders to bump off the bunnies.
In February of 2008, we couldn't see any rabbits. We spoke to a fellow in the RV lot, where many had made their home, but he claimed to know nothing about what happened. Our conclusion is that indeed, these bunnies were quietly destroyed. Yet again, we have human beings, intent on wiping out every other living creature, and their homes, probably because of some perceived nuisance or inconvenience.
Our letter of November 5, 2007 to Nanaimo's Mayor and Council illustrates our ongoing efforts to have municipal councils address the issue of selling intact rabbits in pet stores.
Dear Mayor Gary Richard Korpan and Council:
The Agreement between Petcetera and the BC SPCA re: Rabbits
The Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC's mandate is to speak out on behalf of the plight of domestic rabbits, namely those who are exploited by the pet industry.
In a recent visit to the City of Nanaimo an animal welfare matter that we believe deserves Council’s attention and possible intervention is that of continued sales of pet rabbits.
Earlier this year the BC SPCA agreed to provide Petcetera retail outlets with abandoned or surrendered rabbits that had already been spayed or neutered and that were in need of new homes. An enclosed press clipping provides a brief rationale for the agreement. This agreement has been fully implemented in the Petcetera retail outlets throughout the Lower Mainland.
However, the Petcetera Nanaimo retail location and the Nanaimo SPCA have failed to implement the program. This retail location continues to do business under an unacceptable commercial arrangement by obtaining baby rabbits from wholesale breeders. Because of the "cuteness" factor they are most often purchased on impulse and subsequently dumped once the novelty has worn off. The rabbits, taxpayers, and the community all pay the price for this.
There may be some explanation as to why this commitment has not been honoured but all our correspondence to both Petcetera and the BC SPCA has gone unanswered.
Increasingly our societal values reject "euthanasia" as a morally unacceptable solution to pet abandonment or surrender. Finding homes for abandoned or surrendered pets, of which there is a serious overpopulation crisis, is a core value that I believe we all share.
The Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC, Pets In Need Society, Pacific Animal Foundation and a network of concerned animal welfarists/advocates respectfully requests that Council address this matter. Under section 8(3)(k) of the Community Charter Council may regulate, prohibit and impose requirements in relation to animals. European rabbits are listed in the Environment and Wildlife Regulation as an "alien invasive species", and therefore the sale of European (domestic) rabbits may be prohibited.
While we recognize that the entire issue of unregulated breeding needs to be addressed, eliminating the impulse buy is a step in the right direction. Our campaign, newspaper ads and online petition can be viewed on our websites.
We look forward to hearing from you on this issue and would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
- Sincerely,
- Carmina Gooch
- North Vancouver
- www.rabbitadvocacy.com
Enclosure:
BC SPCA March Newsletter
http://www.spca.bc.ca/news
Hop to Adopt!
The BC SPCA and Petcetera Stores have announced a new partnership to reduce the number of homeless and abandoned rabbits in BC. Beginning April 1st, Petcetera will no longer sell rabbits, but instead will serve as a satellite adoption centre for rabbits rescued by the BC SPCA. The program will begin in all Lower Mainland Petcetera Stores on April 2nd and will be in place in Petcetera locations across BC by September 1st.
The BC SPCA rescues more than 1,700 rabbits every year in its 36 branches across BC. "There is a growing problem in BC with pet guardians who don't spay or neuter their rabbits or who just abandon them to fend for themselves," says Craig Daniell, CEO of the BC SPCA. "This has led to an ever-increasing number of homeless rabbits in our shelters." Daniell says the new Petcetera partnership is a significant step forward in addressing the issue.
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