‘Rabbits can make phenomenal pets, but they are rather specialized’ Bunny boom across B.C.

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“And what we’re seeing now is a lot of people that were not truly prepared to bring home that species are finding some of the challenges of pet ownership,” she said. “So, we’re seeing a number of rabbits being released into the wild, which is terrible from an ecological standpoint and a welfare standpoint.”

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She further said that the SPCA is also seeing increased owner-surrender requests as well. MacBeth stated that the length of stay for a rabbit at the shelter is significantly longer than for dogs or cats.

Earlier this month, BC SPCA animal protection officers rescued 32 neglected rabbits from a Vancouver residence that were being bred for profit.

“They certainly were in horrific conditions,” she said. “They all needed medical attention. They needed specialized care, additional support, and behavioural support because, of course, they’re not used to a clean environment.”

Image supplied by BC SPCA / One of the 32 rabbits rescued from a Vancouver residence.

MacBeth said the rabbits also needed help with their socialization, and once the courts determine if they are to be permanently surrendered to the SPCA, they will also need to be spayed and neutered.

“Then we have protocols for biosecurity, making sure that everybody is safe within our facilities,” she said. “So, because there is a concern about RHD, we have PPE (personal protective equipment) protocols.” According to MacBeth, rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV-2) is a disease that is now endemic in BC.

The former registered veterinary technician said spaying and neutering rabbits is also very important, not just for population control but also for behavioural and medical reasons.

“So, female bunnies, for instance, are quite prone to uterine cancer, so it is really beneficial for them to get spayed,” she said. “Rabbits can start reproducing as early as three months of age, so quite early sexual maturity. The term “breed like a rabbit” is well warranted.”

She added that, at the end of the day, rabbits make wonderful pets and are very clever.

“Rabbits can make phenomenal pets, but they are rather specialized,” she said. “They have requirements around space and cleanliness and social development, where they’re quite social creatures, and they’re quite smart as well.”