Whereas numerous local governments are struggling with the abandonment and rapid proliferation of feral European rabbits in parks and public spaces, and these invasive animals have a negative impact on ecosystems, native wildlife, urban infrastructure and greenspaces, and public health and safety; And whereas the current approach to addressing this issue is uncoordinated and poorly funded, placing all of the responsibility on the shoulders of local governments and small underfunded not-for-profits, leading to an inconsistent and ineffective response: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of British Columbia to develop a coordinated province-wide strategy to address the root causes of feral rabbit abandonment across British Columbia.
Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship We appreciate the leadership communities are showing in responding to the impacts of abandoned rabbits and share your concern about the need for effective and humane management. The Provinces primary focus is on preventing their introduction and responding quickly to abandoned animals before they establish or expand feral populations. Both European rabbits and Eastern Cottontails are considered non native wildlife in British Columbia and are therefore managed under Schedule C of the Designation and Exemption Regulation DE Regulation. In 2022, we amended the DE Regulation to strengthen our ability to manage these species by prohibiting the release or relocation of Schedule C rabbits into the wild without a permit. These changes reduce the risk of abandoned domestic rabbits establishing feral colonies and help prevent further spread of non native cottontails. Amendments were also made to provide additional flexibility to respond to rabbits by no longer requiring a permit for transporting, possessing, or exporting rabbits, making it easier to capture and move rabbits to rehabilitation centres, rehome, or humanely euthanize. Public involvement remains critical to long term success. The most important actions residents can take are to ensure that pet rabbits are spayed or neutered, to never release domestic rabbits into the wild, and to avoid feeding rabbits already present on the landscape, as supplemental feeding can unintentionally support population growth. The Province will continue to work with communities, local governments, animal welfare organizations, and land managers concerned about the impacts of abandoned rabbits. We remain committed to supporting coordinated efforts to prevent new introductions, reduce existing feral populations, and address the root causes of rabbit abandonment across British Columbia.