http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/letters-june-3/
June 2010
Bunny trouble
For an institution of higher learning, UVic has demonstrated surprisingly poor
understanding of the campus rabbit situation. First, they ignored the abandoned
rabbits; the result is obvious. Then, they planned to have people adopt feral
rabbits—hardly sensible. And now they want us to believe killing is the right
approach?
Trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs are successful with feral rabbit populations
throughout North America, and could work here in Victoria. Long Beach,
California, has been running a successful TNR plan on two campuses. Rabbit
numbers have stabilized. Vets care for them if they are ill or injured. (At UVic,
unhealthy rabbits end up suffering without care.)
A serious TNR effort would significantly curb rabbit reproduction, and in a few
years the rabbit populations would shrink significantly. They would wind down
altogether if coupled with an education campaign to prevent new pet rabbits from
being abandoned. Local groups including Friends of Animals and UVicBunnies.org
are working on this now. Veterinarians in the city, too, have volunteered to
help.
These rabbits shouldn’t pay the price for our mistake. They were no more
interested in ending up at UVic than being sold in the first place by rabbit
breeders (who should be banned, locally or provincially). Leave the rabbits be
in peace, and take action to prevent future populations.
The members and supporter of Friends of Animals are committed to stopping
university proposals for ridiculous and mean-spirited killing. Visit
www.uvicbunnies.org/whattodo.html for more on this issue, and how
people can help. Tell UVic to care, not cull.
Dave Shishkoff, Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
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Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Box 50024 - #15-1595 Fairfield Rd
Victoria, BCV8S 5L8
Mobile: (250) 588-0482
Email: Dave@FriendsofAnimals.org
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg
