Feral Colony Control
- Feral rabbit control cannot be random, each area needs to be cleared methodically and completely, it does not make sense to trap part of a colony or a in an area where other colonies are close by.
- Trapping should take place from November to early January when their numbers drop and they will come into the traps for food.
- Trapping is almost impossible in the spring and early summer as the bait is no match for sweet spring grass.
- Trapping is accomplished via a mix of hav-a-hart animal traps, purpose-built enclosures and nets.
- The rabbits need to be placed in an indoor holding area for assessment and sterilization recovery.
- Abandoned house pets will continue to be housed indoors while the ferals and sturdier unadoptable pets are housed in outdoor enclosures or barns.
- A 10′ x 12′ horse stall can comfortably hold 30 rabbits.
Lethal or non-lethal?
- Not everyone wants to save the feral rabbits, many people would prefer to see them killed, and for good reason.
- Property owners are livid about the damage and the mess.
- Taxpayers must not be too happy about the rabbits damaging city property.
- The rabbits can and will form a conduit for the virus that will greatly affect rabbit farms and hobby breeders.
- The rabbits stick close to urban areas, they can’t be shot.
- Poison will affect a large number of other species and taint the environment.
- Hired trappers and pest control companies have historically cost well over $60,000 a year alone for just a few hundred rabbits.
- Humane euthanization adhering to SPCA standards is another substantial per rabbit cost. – Even a lethal cull will cost money.
- There is no downside diverting those funds to a responsible rescue who can sterilize and contain the rabbits.
Article written by:
Sorelle for Rabbitats Rescue Society
Sorelle is the founder of Rabbitats Rescue. She works tirelessly applying for grants, doing research, developing our business plan, and attending meetings and conferences to spread the message about the issue of rabbit abandonment and feral rabbits. She is a major component of the rabbit rescue world and is constantly helping others and offering support to other rabbit rescues.
