British Columbia, Canada, is a 'hotbed' for abandoned pet rabbits and their offspring. These are European rabbits, a different species than native cottontails. Rescuers try to trap, spay/neuter and relocate the rabbits to sanctuaries, but they are constantly handcuffed by red tape courtesy of our provincial government who classify the pets as 'wildlife' [1] as soon as they're abandoned and not contained.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, has made it clear they want the rabbits dead and not rescued. [2] They are in effect giving land managers two choices -- kill the rabbits or let them breed.

We need to tell the government that it is not acceptable to put citizens or the rabbits in this position, nor is it acceptable to kill these pets at all when a logical solution -- sterilizing and relocating the rabbits to secure homes and sanctuaries -- is possible and has been proven to work. [3] [4] [5]

The best way to remove this constant roadblock is to remove the rabbits from the 'wildlife' designation.

Spay/neuter and anti-abandonment laws will complement this.

Please sign the petition! Urge the Minister in charge, Steve Thomson, and other MLAs to reform these laws and policies!

1. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/lower-mainland/wildlife/species/species_lists.htm (see: Schedule C, European Rabbits)

2. The Province - Rabbit Rescue Snarled in Red Tape - Jessica Barrett http://www.theprovince.com/technology/Rabbit+rescue+snarled+tape/8745985/story.html

"... the province's wildlife experts recommend the options of either: 1) sterilization and relocation to a secure facility out of province, or 2) humane euthanization."

3. Coastal Island Could Become Rabbit Refuge http://www.richmondreview.com/news/211478351.html A seven-acre island has been offered up by its owner to become the home for a significant chunk of Richmond’sabandoned rabbit population that now call the Richmond Auto Mall home.

4. Parksville Qualicum News - Coombs Rabbits Questioned - November 29, 2012 -- Lissa Alexander http://www.pqbnews.com/news/181456891.html

'Ministry staff have been checking regularly on this facility to ensure compliance and as recently as last Saturday (November 24) found no violations or infractions,' said Brennan Clarke, Public Affairs Officer for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, in an email."

5. Rabbits Thrive in Sanctuary http://globalnews.ca/news/407034/feral-rabbits-thrive-in-sanctuary/