The Okanagan: I know where I wanna live!!

[Lagomorpheus]

In Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon (Canadia), bunnies are everywhere, grazing along the side of major highways, hopping down city streets and just passing the time on neighbourhood lawns.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/12/07/bc-bunnyexplosion.html

Video: http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/allen-bunny071207.mov

I can’t believe these people are UPSET about this…I would be so thrilled to live in a bunny world…although I do agree that some serious population control efforts needs to be undertacken immediately. (And it’s sad they’re being abandoned my irresponsible owners…but that’s nothing new)

 

[Beka27]

wow.  that’s really sad.  they’re gonna end up having to kill them because there are too many…

[Sarita]

Well, these are domestic rabbits and it’s wrong and irresponsible of people to just dump them in the streets to fend for themselves. I feel sorry for the rabbits too. I just wish people would be more responsible with their unwanted animals – like take them to a shelter for heaven’s sakes if they won’t commit to keeping them.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I read a story about this. One of those places, I forget which, the rabbits are a result of University students leaving behind their pet when the dorms closed for the summer! It’s sad that university students (apparently the intelectual requirements aren’t very high to attend this certain school) can be so irresponsible as to buy a rabbit just for the school year! Get a pet rock!!!!!!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I heard about this as well…As one guy was being interviewed about the bunnies, someone pulled up and dumped two more on his lawn…I don’t know what they are going to do….

[Floppy]

Although the idea of seeing cute bunnies hopping around would be fantastic,
the first thing I thought about was the safety of these unwanted buns, and of course
like cats, rabbits could multiply just as quick and or maybe even quicker…so overall
this is sad

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Apparently they are all unspayed and unneutered

[MarkBun]

[Lagomorpheus]

Sorry, but the idea of a bunny-filled town just delights me. I would like to live where house rabbits come visit all the time.

I acknowledged the need for population control and more responsible pet ownership…but seriously, this is funny as hell.

[Scarlet_Rose]

That is definately amuzing Lagomorpheus, I agree it would be a bit neat to live in a rabbit world (well have them all fixed of course).

Like you said this case is still a bit sad to see since some animal management is going to be necessary and really rabbits are a destructive creature unfortunately. In fact there was a case of here in Denver at the airport people were complaining of the wires being cut underneath their cars while they were away. Well, it turns out they ended up calling our HRS manager because the wild rabbits were the culprits and they just ended up rabbit proofing the wiring as it was the workers who were the victims. Perhaps these people can get together to have them all fixed, and find homes for them rather than a drastic route?

Here in Colorado there is also a problem with seasonal workers in the ski areas who adopt or buy a pet like a puppy or kitten and end up dumping their pets after the season is over. Unfortunately some of these animals need medical care and/or die from exposure, starvation etc. it’s very sad.

I also just want to take a moment to remind y’all of the rules so this doesn’t get out of hand (don’t worry no rules have been broken):

BOARD ETIQUETTE:

Be Respectful & Kind: No Flames Allowed. Flames, and posts that belittle, criticize, or threaten other members will not be tolerated. This does not mean that you cannot voice an opposing viewpoint, but if you do so, please express your opposing view without being rude, sarcastic, critical, antagonistic or threatening. A good way to express an opposing view point is to make sure you stick with what you would do, why you believe the way you do, but don’t pick apart why someone else is wrong.

Debates: Let’s keep this board light! Light discussions and differing opinions about rabbit welfare is fine. Sharing information about products that are free of animal testing is also okay, but please refrain from getting into serious debates about animal rights in general (eg. like anti-vivisection aka: for science/medicine, rabbits as food, and about controversial groups like Peta).

[babybunsmum]

wow, i can’t believe so many people get rabbits for pets & just dump them!  what the hell is wrong with people?  grr.  lago, i know what you mean… i’d love to live there too.  i’d grown a garden patch for them.  although it would suck if they got sick & i couldnt afford to pay vet bills. 

i started my own private squirrel relocation project when the found a way into my attic from a hole in the fascia board outside.  it was a pain.  and i looked ridiculous, let me tell you.  picture a 30-something frizzy-haired gal with yellow rubber gloves carrying a wire cage with a frantic squirrel down her driveway while screaming.  lol.  poor squirrel.  bet it never figured it’d get a car ride in its lifetime.

[babybunsmum]

and oh yeah… forgot to mention… aren’t bunny poops really good for fertilizer? the person withthe poop-filled lawn will probably not have to worry about paying a lot for lawn care!

[Beka27]

Posted By Lagomorpheus on 12/14/2007 1:57 PM
the idea of a bunny-filled town just delights me.

it would be really cool to live somewhere like that, but it’d have to be enclosed to protect against predators, with adequate shelter, plenty of food, everyone neutered or spayed, no cars… i guess it would be like on the Teletubbies show with bunnies everywhere.  it’s not realistic by any stretch… but definitely cool to daydream about.

[Sarita]

Babybunnysmom – I’m just laughing picturing your squirrel relocating :~)

[BinkyBunny]

EDITED:  I’ve seen this happen actually locally, it can get sad very quickly.  With one female rabbit being able to produce up to 100 babies in one year, it can get out of control…just imagine, I mean REALLY out of control in just a couple of years – pure bunny mayhem.   And these are domestics, young don’t develop as fast, they have lost some of their wild instincts and abilities through breeding strategies.  People can get much closer to feral domestics than a real wild bunny, and unfortunately I have seen where kids end up using them as target practice. Not a happy situation all around for a pet.  

I sure hope they can find a way to get this under control humanely. 

 EDITED:  I made a typo earlier – it’s changed now, I had said 200 rabbits per each female -. I meant 100 babies a year per female not 200!   But still think about that 10 females can produce 1000 babies in one year. 

Beka –  You beat me to the Teletubby reference.  

I do agree, it would be cute though if nature could work that way. Pure Bliss!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I just pray this situation is dealt with humanely in the end.

[Author]

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