Some of Canmore’s feral rabbit population will see a reprieve, even though the municipality has rejected a U.S.-based animal rescue group’s offer to come in and save them all.
Animal Rescue Corps made a proposal earlier this month to deal with the entire population of rabbits in a four- to six-week timeframe.
However, the offer came after a contract was awarded to catch and euthanize the critters and it did not meet criteria set out by the community, according to Mayor Ron Casey.
Meanwhile, the Town of Canmore issued a press release on Wednesday (Dec. 21) indicating a proposal by Earthanimal Humane Education and Rescue Society (EARS) to provide sanctuary for some feral rabbits is close to being finalized.
Town communications co-ordinator Sally Caudill said the contractor hired to trap feral rabbits will not begin work until that agreement is in place, which is expected sometime in the new year.
Caudill said once a memorandum of understanding is established with EARS, the contractor will begin trapping and hand over as many feral rabbits as the organization can handle in its two proposed sanctuaries before any euthanasia begins.
EARS director Susan Vickery said the proposal has been in front of the Town for consideration since mid-November.
“There are a lot of details that need to be addressed,” Vickery said. “It is really important for the public to know we are still on board for this and need their support if we are going to move beyond the animals we have capacity for.”
EARS will take advantage of an offer from the City of Calgary Bylaw Services to use its clinic for spaying and neutering the rabbits and local veterinarians have offered to donate their time.
Vickery said she estimates the two sanctuary locations, one west and one north of Calgary, can accommodate 10 per cent of Canmore’s bunny population, which is estimated to be over 100 animals.
Mayor Ron Casey said the municipality has set out criteria for everyone interested in being involved to follow.
While ARC did not, he said, Vickery and EARS have worked with the Town to meet its requirements for spay/neuter, relocation and ongoing care.
“People are working on solutions and willing to work with us,” said the mayor, adding the Town is more than happy to turn feral rabbits over to groups that have met the criteria. “EARS has brought us a sound proposal and we are looking forward to working with them.”
He said ARC’s proposal may have been too rigid because council has already voted to issue a contract to Animal Damage Control.
“We cannot issue contracts frivolously and we are exposed to a number of processes, especially if it has already been awarded,” he said. “(ARC) is asking to cancel a process we have been in for six months and sole source them.”
ARC president Scotlund Haisley said his organization is experienced at working with communities to rescue animal populations and has never had an offer to help turned down.
While the Town of Canmore requires details about the sanctuaries to which feral rabbits will be located and how they will be cared for, Haisley said until ARC can assess the age, gender, temperament and health of each animal, placement cannot be arranged.
“There are unknown factors in terms of how that would happen,” he said. “The way we operate is in participation with local authorities – we are not a hired contractor, we create a lasting, efficient and effective solution.”
The Town’s response to ARC’s proposal was to welcome its assistance with securing sanctuaries for feral rabbits, but trapping by the hired contractor would continue.
Haisley said in his opinion there is no interest from Canmore council in the humane solution he proposed as their operation is all or nothing.
“What we do is humanely trap and rescue animals,” he said. “I do understand that not everybody shares our belief that all lives have value.
“To work together, we need investment in this concept from both sides and the Town of Canmore council has shown an unwillingness to cooperate.
“It is unfortunate the Town chose not to move in this direction.”
Casey said council and administration still feel the criteria it established for the process to establish a feral rabbit management plan is appropriate.
He said because the feral rabbit population has been identified as a wildlife attractant for predators like coyotes and cougars, the municipality has a legal responsibility to address it.
“We cannot do nothing because it is an identifiable problem and we have a legal obligation to proceed.”
Donations to EARS can be made at http://canmorebunnies.blogspot.com/
