Saanich council hops forward with feral rabbit support request

A picture showing feral european rabbits on the yard at University of Victoria.
"Feral" rabbits abandoned by pet owners quickly become problematic for communities across British Columbia. The University of Victoria has struggled with humane ways of managing this problem, as seen in this 2010 photo.
Photo by Jeffrey J. Nichols / Wikimedia Commons

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. 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.”

A picture of a domestic dutch rabbit
Domestic Dutch rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) like this one are invasive species in Canada. Their release can create significant harms to the entire ecosystem.
Photo by Kanashi / Getty Images

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.

Help Make A Difference

Join The Fur-Bearers today and help us protect fur-bearing animals in the wild and confinement. To become a monthly donor (for as little as $10/month – the cost of two lattes) please click here and help us save lives today. Your donation is tax-deductible.

Tags

Latest Posts

Defender Radio

00.00
Listen To The Latest
  • Listen To The Latest

Pin It on Pinterest

Scroll to Top