March 17, 2007

Re: Getting an earful

Hello Kevin,

Thanks for your terrific article in today's National Post on the large feral rabbit population in Canmore, Alberta.

I have been actively involved in the rabbit rescue-advocacy field for well over a decade now, and can say that we are experiencing the same issues in a number of municipalities in British Columbia, including Vancouver, Richmond, Kelowna, and Victoria.

One of the biggest problems is that baby rabbits are sold through pet stores. They are often bought on impulse and within several months the majority are no longer wanted and abandoned. Most end up outdoors and are left to reproduce, litter after litter.

Petcetera is Canada's "leading pet superstore", and the 46 stores across the nation are stocked with appealing but unneutered baby bunnies. To make matters worse, the BC SPCA, the largest and most powerful animal welfare agency in our province, has a business partnership with this retailer, with the effect of perpetuating inhumane attitudes and treatment of animals. Municipal councils have been inactive on this matter.

Now we are confronted with an ever-expanding surplus of domestic pet rabbits turned feral. I don't know that anything can be done with current situations, but I do know that a collaborative approach focusing on amending existing legislation regarding breeding and selling, educational programs, and the elimination of impulse buys will help reduce future colonies from springing up.

Continued pressure over the years from animal welfare groups like Pacific Animal Foundation (PAF) has now achieved some success. We have heard today that Petcetera will be announcing that the sale of rabbits will be discontinued in its Lower Mainland outlets as of April 2nd and in all BC stores by September 1st, 2007.

As part of this year’s rabbit advocacy program Pacific Animal Foundation is running an advertising campaign encouraging the public not to buy "Easter Bunnies", but rather to support our ongoing efforts to stop all rabbit sales. Our first ad was in Thursday, March 8th's Province newspaper (page A26) and another one will be in the March 21st edition, followed by a 3rd one in The Vancouver Sun on March 28th. I've attached a jpg for your viewing.

Anything you can do to call attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated. Public pressure has forced these changes and we hope that in the near future Petcetera will discontinue rabbit sales in all its stores across Canada.

Following are some links on domestic rabbit issues you may find of interest. Please feel free to contact me should you require further information.

http://animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/12865

http://www.animaladvocates.com/aas-archives/rabbits/bunnysnip.htm

http://animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/13331

Sincerely,

Carmina Gooch, Director
Pacific Animal Foundation
Pets In Need
North Vancouver, BC