In August of 2008 we were contacted by the Delta Community Animal Shelter regarding an "abundance" of discarded domestic rabbits and their offspring living around the Ladner Leisure Centre. Staff at the shelter have put together a report about managing the population but wanted some further input from us. We have been out several times to see the rabbits, and at this time the colony is rather small. People are feeding the bunnies, most of which are adults, probably no more than a year or so. They have made some burrows in and around the blackberry bushes, and don't stray far from where they are afforded protection.
The number of abandoned pets is staggering,
and these little creatures probably won't live to see next Spring.
Releasing rabbits into the environment is a criminal offence under the
Criminal Code of Canada and an offence under the PCA Act. Please
contact us for information on how you can take action and make a difference
in the lives of rabbits, and all animals.
rabbitadbc@shaw.ca December, 2008 Somebody
concerned for the welfare of these rabbits told us that a couple of signs
had been put up asking that the public not feed the rabbits. People had
been bringing carrots, lettuce, and feed for them all summer. We noticed
that there weren't as many today as there were on previous visits, and the
grassy area was under water. While we had never seen any with injuries,
there were several reports of rabbits with missing fur, and other
wounds. Also, some of them would dart onto the highway and be struck by
vehicles.
Once a household pet, and then abandoned to
the outdoors, is the harsh reality for many an unwanted bunny. They may be
chased and attacked by dogs, cats, or each other, or become prey to
wildlife. And, they may suffer from the harmful and cruel actions of
humans. Struggling to stay safe, happy, and alive for another day is tough
for these discarded creatures and their offspring. Be a voice for the
rabbits, educate others about the consequences of irresponsible and
thoughtless actions. We are seeking compassion and justice for all living
beings. RABBITS MATTER!
June
8, 2009
Dear Mayor and Council:
On this past weekend outing to your community, we stopped at the Ladner
Leisure Centre, as we've done regularly over the last few years. Our
specific interest and concerns have been the abandoned domestic rabbits and
their offspring who have been living in and around the blackberry bushes to
the north of the complex. In the summer of 2008 I was advised that a report
had been put together by the animal shelter with respect to managing the
colony and an inquiry as the whether the Rabbit Advocacy Group was able to
assist in spay and neuter efforts or to help in relocation or rehoming
endeavors. I also received correspondence from residents worried about the
rabbits running onto Highway 17 and being struck by vehicles. Later that
year several signs were also posted around the parking lot asking that the
public refrain from feeding the rabbits, as this was compounding the
"problem."
While the grassy area was under water a considerable amount of time during
the winter, and the rabbit population seemed to have decreased, it was
expected that one would see more rabbits this spring. However, it is
clearly evident that a brush cutter has been
used recently to mow down the blackberry bushes, thus eliminating the
rabbits' homes, and place to escape and hide from predators. The staff
members we spoke with at the animal shelter were unaware of the situation.
We did not see any rabbits anywhere, which is very odd, and are inquiring as
to whether any action has been taken by the municipality to relocate or
exterminate them. We are concerned about the welfare of these animals, and
are willing to work with the community in finding compassionate
and non-lethal methods to address the problems of unregulated breeding,
selling, impulse buying, and abandonment of the European (pet) rabbit. A
response at your earliest convenience is requested.
Sincerely, (contact information removed)
June 17, 2009
Delta Community Animal Services was asked to respond to our concerns. In
speaking with the shelter manager, Sarah Lowe, I was informed that the
decision to cut down the blackberry bushes was primarily a Parks decision.
Apparently the rabbits were creating quite a bit of havoc by digging holes,
and because the public often saw them on the grass, they were being fed.
This attracted rats. Evidently the rabbits are still around, and have just
moved a little further away. Delta, like other communities, is in the
process of creating new bylaws, specific to rabbits. We have been asked to
collaborate on legislation that would ban the sale of unaltered rabbits, and
to assist financially with a spay/neuter program, as well as to take in
rabbits, as we are able. We have been working with the District of North
Vancouver in this regard since 2002.
July 4, 2009
A number of baby rabbits were spotted today in the area around the police
station and several adults were around the Leisure Centre. The blackberry
bushes are growing back, providing safety and shade on those hot summer
days.
Comment:
We were contacted by a concerned Ladner resident who informed us that the
blackberry bushes had been clearcut again on Tuesday, July 7th,
leaving the rabbits vulnerable to predators. It was recently estimated that
60 rabbits are living in the area, many of whom are babies. Kids have been
seen tormenting and harassing the bunnies. It’s such a pity that there are
those among us who can’t let these peaceful creatures be. Such simple and
idyllic beauty tainted by cowardly, disgusting and cruel behaviour. Please
report any cruelty to the shelter so it can be investigated. Morally and
legally, animal cruelty is a crime. November 1, 2009
There were a number of baby rabbits and young adults
around the Leisure Centre today, and one local resident
commented that she was a little surprised to see so many.
Parks has been fixing up the gardens, and some more small
signs requesting that the rabbits not be fed, had been
placed around the facility.
No plans for
rabbit population
By Sandor
Gyarmati, The Delta Optimist June 16, 2010
They may look cute
and cuddly but feral bunnies are a problem in Ladner. Municipal
officials hope Mother Nature will deal with a large rabbit
population that's become more evident in recent weeks with the
animals being displaced due to construction of the Delta
Gymnastics building near the Ladner Leisure Centre. It's
prompted concerns by some residents about the fate of the
rabbits.
The construction
activity only highlights an ongoing problem of domestic rabbits
being left to fend for themselves and breeding in the wild, said
Delta bylaw enforcement manager Hugh Davies.
Noting there are
no plans to capture the rabbits and bring them to the Delta
Community Animal Shelter, Davies said a conservative estimate
had the rabbit population in the 200 range. "They're considered
wildlife once they're out there. They're actually considered
pest wildlife, if anything," he said.
"Like the grey
squirrel that's here, they're not indigenous here either. They
were let go by people and, of course, spreading all over the
place too. Once a rabbit is left on its own, they're considered
under the Wildlife Act as wildlife."
The University of
Victoria recently made a controversial announcement that it
would perform a cull to reduce an out-of-control rabbit
population on campus. The B.C. SPCA was opposed to the
university's plan, urging it to seek "every humane alternative
to managing the rabbit population on campus."
Davies noted the
rabbit population here is being monitored but a cull isn't being
contemplated for now. "Delta hasn't talked about doing any
culling. Mother Nature seems to be doing the trick every once in
a while when an eagle drops down on them," he said.
The animal shelter
is currently only taking in rabbits that are injured, he noted.
"Certainly the shelter doesn't have the space to deal with
hundreds of rabbits," he said.
Frequently seen
milling around the front of the Ladner Leisure Centre, residents
coming to feed the bunnies only helps the population grow.
"It's really
contentious with people. Some people love them and want them to
be nurtured and come down and feed them, but that doesn't help
because it helps proliferate them. I'm sure every once and a
while people are adding the family rabbit to group which doesn't
help either," added Davies.
The BCSPSA says
the quality of life for feral rabbits is "suboptimal" because
the availability of resources may be limited and they lack the
defensive instincts to avoid predators.
Communities across
B.C. have dealt with their feral rabbit populations in various
ways, including attempting to trap and sterilize them to
culling. The City of Richmond bans the sale of the animals in
pet stores.
The B.C. SPCA
would like all municipalities to forbid the sale of unsterilized
rabbits, with exceptions for legitimate breeders or
organizations. The society also notes the releasing of domestic
rabbits into the wild is an offence under the Criminal Code.
Comment:
Lots of
rabbits are visible alongside the highway. We make periodic
stops and others concerned for their welfare keep a watchful eye
on them.
Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission is
also home to abandoned domestic rabbits and their offspring. They stay
on the north side, close to the blackberry bushes that offer them
protection from predators. The population is relatively small, and has
stayed basically the same for years. On a cold and windy January, 2009
only six adults were spotted. No rabbits were seen on a warm sunny
day in September, 2009.
