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Our thanks to ADAV Research Director Nicole Corrado for passing the article below on to us from The Fur Bearers. Nicole advocates for a no kill humane bunny spay neuter return and spay neuter foster adopt program for all the feral bunnies.

From The Fur Bearers:

A resolution calling on the provincial government to create a strategy to address root causes of feral rabbits province-wide was passed unanimously at District of Saanich council last night [Feb 3, 2025]. The resolution is on its way to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AIVCC) for their endorsement.

Abandonment and the following rapid proliferation of feral European rabbits in parks and public spaces is a hot button issue that has plagued municipalities across the province for well over two decades. This ongoing issue leads to negative impacts on ecosystems, native wildlife, urban infrastructure, and public health and safety. The welfare of the feral rabbits also needs to be addressed, and they need non-lethal solutions.

“Feral rabbits are becoming an increasing challenge for many communities – they are a risk to our environment, infrastructure, and to public safety,” says Saanich Councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff, who initiated the resolution at council. “Municipalities and small charities have been left to tackle this issue alone, but without coordinated provincial support, efforts remain inconsistent and ineffective. Leadership from the province is essential to addressing the root causes and preventing further damage to ecosystems and infrastructure.”

One rescue organization believes the Granville Island feral rabbit population grew from only two rabbits to 40 over a single winter.

“Ultimately, the individual communities managing this issue are not the ones responsible for its root causes,” explains Lesley Fox, Executive Director of The Fur-Bearers. “There is a lack of regulations around breeding and the widespread selling of unsterilized rabbits, a lack of education for pet owners, and a clear need for provincial support. We support this resolution as it calls on the province to address the root causes of this issue.”

The Saanich resolution was also supported by the BC SPCA.

The motion for resolution was passed unanimously at the Monday, February 3 meeting of District of Saanich Council and will next be debated at the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities. If it passes there, the resolution will move on to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), and if it is adopted there, it will become part of UBCM’s advocacy towards the province.

This article was issued as a news release on February 4, 2025. You can click here to read the original news release, or click here to view the full resolution and backgrounder.