In mid-February of this year approximately 20 rabbits came into the possession of the Vancouver SPCA. They had been kept cramped together outdoors in tiny wire cages, with minimal human contact, so they were skittish and fearful of being handled. This problem began when two rabbits were purchased from a pet store with no understanding of basic requirements of care involved. Shortly thereafter, the two began reproducing, and within a year the result was several litters of unwanted rabbits. One was taken to the SPCA hospital in Vancouver for observation and the others were examined by a rabbit volunteer because of their poor condition. Some had runny noses, others had open sores on their feet, and all were undernourished.

The Vancouver SPCA already had in excess of 20 adult rabbits awaiting homes, but managed to get 5 of the worst new arrivals to an SPCA volunteer experienced in rabbit care, and then began spaying and neutering the rest, starting with the healthiest ones. Since then some of the existing rabbits at the facility have found permanent homes and others have gone into foster care.

However, this branch is still overcrowded, and a new policy has set the maximum allowable number of rabbits at 15. More foster homes are urgently required. Nobody wants to see any killed, but what does one do with an overburdened system? Should the SPCA refuse to take owner surrendered pets and only deal with strays and seized animals? Should those that need too much medical care, are too old, psychologically damaged, or otherwise deemed unmarketable be automatically killed? What are the determining factors for those who live and those who die?

Unfortunately, as long as people have pets there will be problems, but far more effort has to be given to address core issues. The supply of unwanted animals far exceeds demand, resulting in misery, suffering, and death of too many innocent lives.

Should the SPCA have prosecuted this person and set an example that this is intolerable, and used the Prevention of Cruelty Act? Rabbits are allowed to suffer conditions that if a cat or dog was subjected to, would result in public outrage and cruelty charges being laid by the SPCA. But there is a different standard for rabbits - perhaps because there is not a vocal lobby group to speak for them as there is for dogs and cats.