ANIMAL MATTERS

Bunny Ban?

March 25, 2010 Tri-City News

If you want a rabbit, you may not be able to get one in Port Moody pretty soon.

The city is supporting Richmond’s efforts to ban the sale of rabbits in pet stores following an explosion in the Easter mascot’s population in local parks. A letter from Richmond calling for similar bans in neighbouring municipalities said such a move would reduce the number of domestic rabbits dropped off in local parks, curb the impulse purchase of rabbits and promote responsible pet ownership.

PoMo staff will prepare a bylaw amendment to ban bunny sales in local stores. The city will also send a letter on the matter to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.

Comment: Many people are taking action by writing their local elected officials to amend existing pet shop regulations that would prohibit the sale of rabbits in pet stores.  It appears that they are finally listening.

Carmina Gooch’s latest letter to the City of Vancouver, March 29, 2010. 

Dear Mayor Robertson and Council:  

The Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC is once again kindly requesting that the City of Vancouver create new bylaws that would restrict the breeding and selling of unsterilized rabbits, as well as exact an entire ban on sales of rabbits in pet stores.  Most of these mammals are bought on impulse without any knowledge of their complex needs.  The vast majority are illegally released by their owners into Lower Mainland municipalities within six months of purchase.  The gestation period is roughly thirty days with an average of six kits per litter.  Humane societies, rescue groups, and the pounds are always at over-capacity with unwanted rabbits, and finding good and lasting homes for these animals is extremely challenging.  We don't need more rabbits being bred for show, as breeding stock, or as pets.  Petco, a national pet retailer in the U.S. adopts only sterilized rabbits, with CEO Jim Myers saying it's good for business and the right thing to do.  Tisol, Bosley's, and other pet stores in Metro Vancouver sell pet food and supplies only, and are very successful. 

The many unwanted 'pets' that end up thoughtlessly dumped into the ecosystem vie for survival, often meeting cruel and untimely deaths.  Others thrive and form colonies, upsetting the natural environment.  Whatever the species - rabbit, cat, bird, or iguana, government action at the local level must be part of an overall and coordinated strategy in helping prevent the costly consequences of human behaviour and irresponsible businesses. 

Due to the invasiveness of quaker parrots, for example, some states in the U.S. have outlawed the importation, selling, releasing, and mere possession of these birds. 

Kelowna and Richmond have prohibited the sale of rabbits in pet stores.  The issue is expected before District of North Vancouver Council in early May.  

Port Moody is supporting Richmond’s efforts, following an explosion unwanted pet bunnies dumped in local parks. A letter from Richmond calling for similar bans in neighbouring municipalities said such a move would reduce the number of domestic rabbits dropped off in local parkland, curb the impulse purchase of rabbits and promote responsible pet ownership. Staff will prepare a bylaw amendment to ban bunny sales in local stores. The city will also send a letter on the matter to the Union of B.C. Municipalities. 

We applaud these measures and would like to see the City of Vancouver on board.  We look forward to hearing if this important matter has been addressed in any way since our previous correspondence in the Fall of 2009.

Pet Habitat is continually selling rabbits, knowing full well that baby bunnies are an impulse buy.  The sole motivation is money.  We've been told by several franchisees that "it is understood" that there is a no return policy. People, be responsible!  If you're seriously interested in providing a lifetime home for a rabbit, visit your local shelter or rescue group.  Municipalities are finally taking action by implementing bylaws that prohibit the selling of rabbits in pet stores.  West Vancouver has yet to address the issue.  On April 12, 2010 Carmina Gooch, RAG BC wrote to WV Council and copied the WV and BC SPCA.  

Dear Mayor and Council: 

The Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC has past correspondence with you regarding concerns over the selling of unsterilized rabbits at Noah's Pet Ark, Park Royal.  Pet Habitat took over operations in November, 2008, and our volunteers have been regularly monitoring the store ever since. 

Earlier this month, and just before Easter, I made a visit to the business, and spoke with an employee, after noticing a rabbit with newborns in a cage.  I was told that a customer had brought in this bunny for resale, and that several days later the pregnant doe had given birth to several kits.  Meanwhile, there were other young rabbits for sale, as well. 

This morning, I was contacted by Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy, a volunteer charitable organization, about a situation in West Vancouver.  I was asked to follow up on it, and contacted a young woman, who told me that a friend had recently purchased a lop-eared rabbit from Pet Habitat in Park Royal, and due to allergies, was unable to keep 'it.'  Other friends were also unable, or didn't want the responsibility of a 10 year commitment, either.  The bunny was surrendered to our group. 

I went directly to the store, and spoke with the franchisee.  I explained that this rabbit was purchased on impulse, that the young woman didn't know anything about proper care, that she was experiencing an allergic reaction, and that she was not told of the no return policy.  I was told that "it is understood" that there are no returns.  I didn't see anything in writing at the counter or anywhere on the premises, stating this.  After some discussion, he said the rabbit could be returned, but without financial reimbursement. 

The rabbit will not be returned so that the proprietor can profit doubly by the re-exploitation and resale of this little creature. 

If rescue groups, humane societies, or the SPCA are full, and cannot take unwanted pets, owners will dump them wherever they find convenient.  Rabbits have been abandoned into municipalities all over, with cities like Kelowna, Richmond, and Victoria, very much in the news, about this issue. 

I strongly urge the District of West Vancouver to follow Richmond and Kelowna's example and amend existing pet shop regulations to prohibit the sale of unsterilized rabbits in pet stores.  The District of North Vancouver, Victoria, and Port Moody are in the process of doing so.  Port Moody will also send a letter to the Union of B.C. Municipalities regarding this very necessary and long overdue measure.  

A response at your earliest convenience is requested.  Additionally, I suggest that the SPCA check the store to ensure compliance with proper animal care and housing guidelines. 

May - June 2010  

New Westminster, Coquitlam, and the City of North Vancouver are preparing bylaws to stop the sales of intact rabbits. Despite writing back to the District of West Vancouver regarding this issue, we have not had a response.  

A recent letter by Carmina Gooch:  

Dear Mayor and Council:  

The Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC would like to express its strong support of legislation to address the breeding and selling of unsterilized rabbits. 

Baby bunnies are often purchased on impulse by people uninformed and unprepared to care for a rabbit for 10 years or more.  

Generally speaking, these 'pets' are abandoned within months. Sadly, most are thoughtlessly discarded outdoors and rapidly reproduce, leaving communities to deal with the consequences of irresponsible human action. Shelters and rescue groups are at over-capacity with unwanted rabbits.  

Municipalities like Kelowna, Richmond, and the District of North Vancouver have passed bylaws banning the sale of intact rabbits in pet stores. 

Preventative measures will go a long way in alleviating potential future problems. Animal welfare is an important issue and concerns all of society.  

Thank you for your attention to this important issue. We look forward to new and progressive legislation banning the sale of fertile rabbits. 

From the Tri-City News, May 21, 2010

Rabbits sold in pet stores are not usually spayed or neutered, which means when they are released into the wild, they are able to reproduce. Feral rabbits are now a common site in many local parks.  

Councillor Reid fears that more rabbits could bolster the predator population, providing more food for larger animals such as coyotes and wolves.  “I think Mother Nature should take care of how many rabbits we need,” she said. “I don’t think anyone wants to see rabbits just needlessly thrown into the bush to be devoured by other animals.”

Update: Rabbits must be spayed or neutered if they are sold in Coquitlam after city council voted Monday night (June 7) in favour of measures aimed at reducing the number of rabbits living in parks. Coun. Mae Reid ended up voting against her own motion after amendments were tacked on by her council colleagues that would allow for the sale or rabbits, providing the animals are fixed. She wanted a total prohibition or nothing. You can read more in the Tri-City News: Coquitlam stops short of full bunny ban. Other municipalities with similar regulations banning sales of intact rabbits are Kelowna, Richmond, and the District of North Vancouver.

June 2010 On Monday, the 16^th, New Westminster City Council gave three readings to a bylaw that would prohibit the sale of rabbits in pet stores. The intent of the bylaw is to lessen regional concerns relating to domesticated rabbits being released into nature parks and other areas. Although city staff is unaware of any stores that currently sell pet rabbits, the pet store bylaw would prohibit the sale of rabbits in pet stores and prevent it from being done in the future. 

On Monday, July 12, 2010, Carmina Gooch, of the Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC, spoke before Council on the motion of banning the sale of rabbits in North Vancouver City pet stores. We also presented numerous postcards with signatures supporting the ban. Our efforts were successful in the District of North Vancouver, where a new bylaw requires all rabbits to be sterilized before being sold as a pet. Violators face a $150 fine. Our A 10-second decision or a 10-year commitment? cards have also been presented to other municipalities.  

Please join our campaigns on behalf of rabbits. Contact us at rabbitadbc@shaw.ca