BC SPCA reports on University of Victoria rabbit management
May 14, 2010

The BC SPCA has received concerned emails about the possible inhumane killing of rabbits on UVic campus by decapitation, stomping, drowning and burying babies in holes. To date, no legitimate complaints about such killing have been verified, as rumours and unsubstantiated allegations are circulated online. BC SPCA staff have been on site and presented with no evidence of these acts. BC SPCA staff have been in consultation with UVic for over a year now, providing advice on non-lethal management strategies however, ultimately it is their decision how to manage the feral rabbit population estimated 1,500-2,000 rabbits.

The University has admitted that poison boxes on campus, used for rodent control for many years, may be inadvertently affecting other small mammals like baby rabbits and squirrels. Despite claims that the poison boxes are in violation of federal and provincial laws and regulations, they are a legal means of rodent pest control. Although the BC SPCA does not believe poisons are humane, under the law they are considered humane as per pest control industry and veterinary standards. Therefore the BC SPCA can not investigate animal cruelty claims for this form of poisoning, as the law recognizes this practice as legitimate and in widespread use, even though a few non-targeted species may be affected.

As stated in our Society's Position Statement, the BC SPCA does not support any cull of feral rabbits, however we can not stop UVic from conducting a humane cull if this is their decision as it is a legal activity. The BC SPCA can only act upon legitimate complaints of cruelty and recommend charges to Crown - and of course cruelty in this case is defined by law and not our Society’s definition. The BC SPCA has encouraged UVic to take an integrated approach, seeking out support from established local rabbit groups and vets, and to work with the Ministry to allow for the adoption of tame feral rabbits. However, the scale of this issue would require more than 1,000 new homes be found for these rabbits. And as our experience tells us, sanctuaries are not always more humane options - as the past five years the BC SPCA had to intervene to address horrible conditions at two Victoria animal rescues groups that were unable to sustain the financial commitment of keeping hundreds of rabbits and other animals.

Between our Victoria and Wild ARC branches, we have taken in hundreds of injured rabbits from UVic over the past 15 years that members of the public have found injured. However, the UVic situation is not easily remedied and with more than 300 rabbits currently in our shelters across the province waiting for homes, we have a commitment to these animals currently in our care. Sadly, the UVic situation is not unique, for example, last year Kelowna faced a similar situation with 800 feral rabbits in the city. Many parks, schools, hospitals and airports across BC also have feral rabbit colonies – all of course have started because of irresponsible pet owners and this is the issue we strive to address.

Where the BC SPCA's limited resources can be effective at protecting rabbits is to help stop the flow of abandonment and breeding - in March 2010, the BC SPCA and local rabbit groups presented to Richmond Council and this proactive council has now banned the sale of all rabbits from pet stores in the city. In the past we have consulted with Kelowna, which led to bylaw changes requiring all rabbits sold in the city to be sterilized. This month the Regional District of North Vancouver also passed a bylaw to require sterilization of all rabbits sold.

The BC SPCA has sent a letter to all Greater Victoria municipalities (link opens a pdf document) with details of these new bylaws so they too can consider changes. This will be part of the long-term solution to feral rabbits, as the situation at UVic will only be reproduced in a few years if not tackled from the root of the cause.

For more information, please read our original news story on this issue.

You can help the BC SPCA continue to advocate for higher standards of animal welfare. Please donate to the BC SPCA's Monty Fund for Community Education & Outreach today.