The City of Selkirk is supporting a rescue organization in its potential efforts to trap, foster and rehome a domestic rabbit population that was identified in the city.
Popcorns and Binkies Rescue Haven (P&B Haven) is a registered charity that specializes in rescuing and rehoming rabbits and guinea pigs. The name refers to a type of dance that the animals do when they are happy. Rabbits do ‘binkying’ and guinea pigs do ‘popcorning’.
Kristy Hill, Selkirk’s Director of Protective Services, says the city became aware of the domestic rabbit population and has been working with the RCMP and P&B Haven to create a plan to capture and rehome these critters.
Concerns for released rabbits’ wellbeing
“The city is concerned about the number of domestic rabbits that were criminally released within Selkirk,” Hill said.
“There is a concern for their wellbeing, just as there is for other pets that end up as strays within our borders. These are domestic animals, not wild. We believe our citizens support the humane treatment of all animals, and the city and citizens don’t want these rabbits suffering. The city wants to support an organization like P&B Haven that has the skills to manage this situation.”
Research suggests that domestic rabbits can reach puberty anywhere between three and eight months of age depending on their size, meaning they are able to reproduce on average five times per year with the average litter containing four to five babies. That’s up to 25 babies per female rabbit per year. Those rates create favourable conditions for populations to get out of control in a hurry.
These domestic rabbits can create several issues in the community including property destruction, increased predators to the area (such as foxes, coyotes and large predator birds) and are at risk of being injured or killed by oncoming traffic.
Domestic rabbits aren’t equipped to withstand harsh winter temperatures the way that wild rabbits who burrow are. These domestic rabbits may suffer extensively in Manitoba’s cold temperatures so ideally P&B Haven would like to conduct activities before those frigid temperatures arrive.
P&B Haven have begun trapping a few of the rabbits using humane traps to have them vet checked and determine the health of the animals and any issues they might be having. So far, the rabbits are in reasonably good health. Next, a larger scale trapping exercise is hoped to take place and P&B Haven, along with members of the local RCMP detachment and City By-Law Enforcement Officers, would attend in person and work with volunteers and the community to trap as many rabbits as possible.
If an animal other than a rabbit ends up in a trap, the city will manage the release appropriately. If the animal has a City of Selkirk license, the owner will be contacted for collection.
Release of domestic rabbits unlawful
Releasing domestic animals into the wild, and therefore failing to provide proper shelter, food, and care, is not only cruel, but unlawful as well.
“Neglecting to care for your pet, like releasing it into the wild, is an act of animal abuse and is unlawful. While the city can’t enforce animal abuse legislation itself, it works with the province’s Chief Veterinary Officer and the RCMP in situations where animal abuse may have occurred. In the case of this domestic rabbit population — we’ve registered formal complaints with these two law enforcement agencies,” Hill said.
“This would be a large bunny blitz that will include live traps but also volunteers with nets and blankets attempting to capture as many rabbits as possible.”
Kristy Hill, Director of Protective Services
The rescue organization has been asked to seek permission to go onto private property.
“This would be a large bunny blitz that will include live traps but also volunteers with nets and blankets attempting to capture as many rabbits as possible,” Hill said.
Hill said there may be an opportunity for the public to work with P&B Haven to help identify areas where rabbits are located.
“The rescue organization is considering the placement of traps on both public and private property. With traps on public property – we ask that if you see one that you don’t touch it as these are checked regularly for activity by the City’s By-Law Enforcement Officers. To report a rabbit that has been trapped, you can contact the City’s CitizenSupport Representatives.”
Rehoming rabbits
The final step would be to rehome the rabbits. The community can get involved and assist in adoption of the rabbits. Rabbits that are trapped will be vaccinated and spayed or neutered. They will then remain with the organization or a foster family until they have recovered and can be adopted.
If the large collection effort is determined to be possible, the City of Selkirk will be working to support P&B Haven to capture and rehome as many rabbits as possible. In addition to rabbits, the city’s commitment to animal welfare extends to other animals as well. The city collaborates with the province, RCMP, as well as various rescue organizations to ensure that strays, displaced and vulnerable animals receive the attention and care they need.
Any inquires related to rabbit rehoming or donations can be directed to Popcorns & Binkies Rescue Haven directly via their website: www.popcornsandbinkies.org/ .
Any inquiries that are related to the City of Selkirk’s involvement in this process can be directed to the City’s CitizenSupport Representatives at 204-785-4900 or via email at [email protected].
