Rabbits at the Vancouver SPCA

Here are the SPCA's oft-repeated "Five Freedoms". They look good in the media and on the BC SPCA website, but the SPCA itself seldom provides all the Five Freedoms for the animals it keeps. Here they are right from the SPCA's web site. We dispute that these rabbits at the Vancouver SPCA have freedom from discomfort and distress, and especially to have the freedom to express behaviours that promote well-being. When one of the SPCA's head officers was queried about the distress caused to the rabbits by being kept for as long as two weeks without being allowed out to stretch their legs and indulge in some "freedom", his answer was a search for a justification for the sizes of the cages, which he found by apparently quoting Humane Society of the U.S. figures. Those figures can't be confirmed in a search of the HSUS site.

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease
4. Freedom from distress
5. Freedom to express behaviours that promote well-being

Rabbit experts and rescuers describe the symptoms of distress in rabbits that are kept in close confinement for long: "While a cage may be used as a "home base" for a house rabbit the failure to provide an opportunity to exercise leads to the possibility of the animal developing both physical and behavioral problems. Various disorders may include stress, aggression, obesity, listlessness, bone density thinning and poor muscle tone, sore hocks, and runny eyes. although these cages are used as a temporary "home", this does not preclude the fact that exercise is an essential component to overall health."

In the fall of 2004 the Vancouver SPCA was the recipient of 12 lab cages from UBC. The inside measurements of these cages are roughly 5.2 cu ft (25"l x 24"w x 15"h) and are being used as primary "housing" for rabbits.

However, a number of references indicate that this size enclosure does not meet minimum recommended criterion for humane occupancy.

The House Rabbit Society (San Diego Chapter) suggests that for average size breeds (5-10 lbs.) a cage no smaller than 10.5 cu ft. The North Georgia chapter advises as a minimum cage requirement 11.25 cu ft. A quote from the US Department of Agriculture, 1991 states that a cage should always be "sufficiently sizes to allow normal postural adjustments with freedom of movement." An excerpt from "Comfortable Quarters for Rabbits in Research Institutions" Animal Care Centre, UBC further adds that the space should allow for "three hops in one direction" as well as to permit them to "sit upright on their hind feet without their ears touching the top" of the cage.

While a cage may be used as a "home base" for a house rabbit the failure to provide an opportunity to exercise leads to the possibility of the animal developing both physical and behavioral problems. Various disorders may include stress, aggression, obesity, listlessness, bone density thinning and poor muscle tone, sore hocks, and runny eyes.

Although these cages are used as a temporary "home" this does not preclude the fact that exercise is an essential component to overall health.

The antiquated practice of restricting freedom and confining animals is not one that speaks to the "prevention of cruelty." Quite the contrary.

Carmina Gooch, North Vancouver

I have written the BC SPCA on a number of occasions about the welfare of rabbits. Most recently was regarding the use of these lab cages in which the rabbits are kept. I was informed that the sizes meet the minimum requirements set out by the Humane Society of the United States. As my research did not find any specifics. I asked what they were but did not receive a reply. I did find the American SPCA website and they suggest 16 cu ft and the BC SPCA Rabbit Care fact sheet suggests 24 cu ft.

Regardless of whether these cages are being used as a temporary base the SPCA ought to be a voice in advancing the standards of animal care.

Terry Roberge, North Vancouver

I would say the cages are contrary to the SPCA-- prevention of cruelty to animals. The small area gives the impression that your organization condones the keeping of rabbits this way. What I see is that they are trapped and inhibited from freely exercising or moving about.

Maureen Collins, North Vancouver

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