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TRACS for Texas-bound BunniesJuly 2011 Update on the UVic bunnies and more bunnies! A BRIEF HISTORY Since the University of Victoria decided to get rid of the bunnies on campus last year, volunteers for the TRACS for Texas-bound Bunnies has sent obtained a permit from the BC Ministry of Environment, picked up bunnies all autumn from the trappers hired by UVic, had them spayed and neutered, and transported close to 300 bunnies to the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas. This seemingly impossible task was accomplished solely by voluntary labor and donations, without any financial assistance from the University or the government. Despite presentations by our volunteers to the University's Board of Governors and to local municipalities, no authority responded by allowing a local veterinarian to vasectomize the males at no cost to the university in order to reduce the rabbit population or by providing a sanctuary for the bunnies on lands that were amply available. The numbers of rabbits on campus were misrepresented and, at one point, it was said there were 3000 rabbits. This was apparently to gain support for a cull, but in fact there were less than 1000 rabbits that were trapped and went to sanctuaries -- reports of the rest being eaten by owls being much exaggerated. No level of government took heed of the consequences of the cull of rabbits initially proposed by the administration of the university (about 100 rabbits were actually killed last May as a test). They were warned that well-meaning but ill-advised people would try to rescue bunnies and dump them all over the lower part of Vancouver Island. That is exactly what happened and now UVic's decision to get rid of the rabbits quickly has has the undesirable side effect of spreading their problem into local communities where unsterilized rabbits are multiplying like, well, rabbits! NOW THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR VOLUNTEER HELP TO MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT THE RABBITS People needed in Victoria, BC and Vancouver BC to:
People needed in Texas to help close to 300 UVic rabbits transported to the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch to:
Volunteer opportunities in both Canada AND Texas, USA to:
ATTENTION DONORS, BOTH PRIVATE AND CORPORATE, PLEASE HELP MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT THE RESCUED RABBITS HERE AND IN TEXAS. DONATIONS OF ALL SIZES, INCLUDING LEGACIES, ARE MOST WELCOME. TAX RECEIPTS CAN BE ISSUED. PLEASE HELP. TO MAKE AN ONLINE PAYMENT, PRESS "MAKE A DONATION" BELOW and then
in the second stage of the payment process, just below the confirmation
of your address, where it says TO MAKE A PAYMENT BY CHEQUE, make the cheque to TRACS and write in "For UVic rabbits" beside your signature. Then mail to the address below. All donations over $5 are tax deductible. You will be sent a receipt in the mail within about 8 weeks. THANK YOU.
FOR PEOPLE IN THE GREATER VICTORIA AREA OR FOR VISITORS TO THIS
BEAUTIFUL CITY, COME TO SEE AN ORIGINALLY CHOREOGRAPHED BUNNY BALLET
AT THE VARIETY SHOW THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, MAY
21. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE RESCUED UVIC RABBITS:  March 31, 2011. Updates on news stories relating to the UVic Bunnies: 1. The University of Victoria, BC has announced that it will euthanize any bunnies found on campus from now on. They claim that all bunnies have now been trapped and sent to sanctuaries. Further, they do not appear to have acknowledged that any new bunnies dumped on campus are not considered wild until 30 days have passed. Here is an article from the Saanich News reporting that UVic is now officially rabbit-free: click to read 2. The District of Saanich, BC. Although earlier last year rabbit supporters wrote letters and made presentations to local municipalities that some rabbits rescued from UVic by well-meaning but misguided people would appear throughout the larger Victoria area and cause a population explosion, no assistance by way of making sanctuary space available or supporting a local sanctuary was approved. Now there is the problem that unsterilized rabbits will multiply throughout the region. This issue still has not been addressed in a humane, non-lethal or creative way, such as utilizing some park space to establish a proper rabbit sanctuary and to promote it for educational purposes as well as a potential tourist attraction. Nevertheless the Mayor and Councillors of the District of Saanich unanimously approved the staff report that would, among other things, see a ban on the sale or adoption of unsterilized rabbits. This is a much-needed first step. See the report that they approved in toto by clicking here (go to "Report: Regulations for Deer, Dogs, Rabbits"). It is something of a work in progress, so it will be interesting to see what fine tuning will take place. The Times Colonist report on the meeting can be accessed right here. (An aside: the local TRACS representative who made a presentation on rabbits at the meeting thought the highlight of all the public presentations was by the chicken supporter who insisted that people who keep chickens are free spirits and are naturally artistic!) 3. Texas! On March 29, the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch, to which the TRACS contingent of UVic bunnies were sent to sanctuary, has had its Temporary Injunction against the City of Whitehouse extended to August 1. This gives the Lenhams, who operate the animal sanctuary, some time to adopt out the rescued dogs whose barking evidently caused problems with a neighbor. The extension of the Injunction is important because it prevents any animals from the rescue ranch from being seized by the City, which recently limited the number of animals per household to 4. The Wild Rose Rescue Ranch encompasses close to 48 acres, of which 46 acres can be used for agriculture. See the Extension of injunction Agreed TI by downloading the pdf copy. Here is a local news report on the story The legal costs of all this are high and ongoing, so please donate
what you can to help out. The rabbits also need ongoing maintenance,
so anything you can give, especially by way of monthly postdated
cheques, would be truly helpful. Canadian donors can receive a tax
receipt (scroll down to the bottom of this page to make a
donation). Americans and others can donate directly to the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
March 17, 2011: A judge has extended the temporary restraining order against the City of Whitehouse in Texas to prevent the animals, including the UVic bunnies that were transported to the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch, from being seized by the City. The Temporary Restraining Order against the City has been extended to March 30, while the Injunction hearing has been rescheduled to March 29. This gives time for the lawyers on both sides to come to an agreement on how the new Ordinance passed by the City will affect the operations of the Rescue Ranch. Lawyers on the side of the Rescue Ranch have argued that the Ordinance in question is unconstitutional. Read more at Temporary Restraining Order Extended Against Whitehouse Animal Ordinance. Please post a comment on this article. Funds are desperately needed to carry on this legal fight to save the rabbits
and the other animals at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch. Please donate generously
and pass this message on to all your contacts. Canadians can receive a tax
receipt by donating on this site: just scroll down to the bottom of this page.
Americans and others can donate to Wild Rose Rescue Ranch.
March 4, 2011: The latest events in the fight to ensure the security of the rabbits rescued by volunteers from the University of Victoria and sent to the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Whitehouse, Texas -- The Wild Rose has filed a lawsuit against the Whitehouse Town Council's Ordinance that would limit the number of animals per household. They argue that it is unconstitutional to enforce it retroactively. The court date is March 11. In the meantime, a temporary restraining order has been issued to prevent the City of Whitehouse from seizing any of the rescued animals from the non-profit rescue ranch of over 46 acres. Here is an excerpt from the KLTV News on the situation: Please post your comments on this TV station. You might urge the City of Whitehouse to grandfather the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch and so exempt it from the new Ordinance. They should be able to continue their compassionate work in rescuing and caring for unwanted or injured animals that would otherwise suffer. Also, to help maintain the UVic rabbits and to cover legal costs in this new fight for their ongoing safety, please donate whatever you can afford. To receive a tax receipt for donations over $5 in Canada, please see instructions at the bottom of this page. Americans and others can donate directly to the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch at http://wildroserescueranch.com/ Meanwhile, back on the UVic campus, any remaining rabbits are once more in
danger of being killed! Eight rabbits have been "identified" and will,
apparently, be removed. See the news article at The problem is that any rabbits found on campus from now on will be killed on
the assumption that they have been newly dumped. However, there are likely
still other UVic rabbits that remain hidden and still babies in burrows that
have not emerged yet. It would be unspeakably cruel, after the extreme
hardships to which volunteers went to save hundreds of rabbits, if now the
University turned around and went back on a killing spree against these
defenseless, innocent rabbits once again. Please sign our petition to try to
prevent this from happening and help us reach our target of 5000 signatures: PASS THE WORD!
Feb. 15, 2011: EMERGENCY ACTION REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY! Rabbits transported by volunteers to a sanctuary in East Texas to save them from being killed by the University of Victoria in Canada are now being threatened with eviction by the Town Council in Whitehouse, Texas! The UVic Rabbits need your help - please support us in giving them the security they deserve, to live out their lives in comfort and safety, at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch. On February 22, the City of Whitehouse Texas is introducing an ordinance designed to limit the number of pets to 4 per household. This ordinance could put the UVic Rabbits at risk of eviction, even though their home at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch is on a 47 acre ranch, with over 46 acres of the land zoned agricultural. Over recent years, the City of Whitehouse has brought this property, as well as other surrounding ranches, into their jurisdiction by annexation. You can help: 1. by writing letters to Whitehouse City Government officials: Below is a sample letter you might like to send to these officials. For more contact information: 2. by making donations of money to help fund the legal challenge to the proposed ordinance by the City of Whitehouse, Texas to ensure that the rabbits are not evicted and to help with the ongoing cost of maintaining the rabbits at the sanctuary. Canadians can scroll down to the bottom of this page to make a tax deductible donation; Americans and others can donate directly to the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch at http://wildroserescueranch.com/ 3. by donating your airmiles for our necessary travel back and forth to the meetings in Texas. Contact: laura-leah@shaw.ca 4. by adopting one of the lovable dogs at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch. This will help alleviate concerns by neighbors complaining about noise levels and will, at the same time, give you a faithful and loving companion. Check out the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch site (above) and click on Pet Adoptions. 5. by signing this important petition to the Mayor and Council of Whitehouse in Texas asking them to ensure that the rabbits can remain in safety for the rest of their lives at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch:
click here to go to the petition
Here is a sample letter you might like to send to the Whitehouse City Officials: Dear Mayor and Council, I am writing to you concerning proposed Ordinance 11-0211-01 "Animal Control". As a supporter of the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch, I am deeply concerned that the ordinance will prevent the animal sanctuary from continuing to provide a very valuable service to your community. The property, which covers 47 acres, is zoned for agricultural use for all but 3/4 of an acre. The owners, Bob and Georganne Lenham, have dedicated their mission to help rescue and rehabilitate animals, including deer, rabbits, squirrels, and dogs. They have over 20 years experience. Bob is a decorated veteran and Georganne is a published author. Additionally, the Lenhams have helped rescue a group of domestic pet rabbits that have come from as far as Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The rabbits would have been killed by the administration of the University of Victoria after enjoying over 20 years of peaceful existence on the grounds of the campus. All of the rabbits are spayed and neutered and they have veterinarian certificates of health. These defenceless former pets needed a home and Bob and Georganne were kind enough to offer their sanctuary property. With the help of the local boy scout troop, they built enclosed, secure pens to house the rabbits and they have local volunteers who provide ongoing care. From my understanding, this ordinance intends to limit the number of pets in a household to 4. However, what about families and properties where the animals being kept are not exactly pets? Please review all aspects of the impact of this ordinance on the community. You may wish to contact the other agencies, state, federal, and non-profit advocacy organizations who have the knowledge and expertise to advise you on these matters. There must be other options, including exceptions made for animal rescue societies. One simple solution would be to grandfather existing properties with more than 4 animals so that they will not be adversely affected by this ordinance. The Wild Rose Rescue Ranch and other animal groups need to have the freedom to continue saving creatures that need their help. Abandoned and injured pets are the responsibility of the larger community when irresponsible pet owners do not care for them properly. Thank you for taking the time and thought to contemplate the effects of this ordinance. Please ensure that the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch can continue in their compassionate undertaking and that the rabbits, secure in their pens, can live out the rest of their lives in peace and safety at this location . Sincerely,
IMPORTANT NEWS FLASH: UVIC TO RESUME KILLING ANY RABBITS LEFT ON CAMPUS AFTER FEB. 28, 2011 as indicated by the Times Colonist article "University to show no mercy under tougher bunny policy" (TC Jan. 21, A3). All this after the dedicated efforts of the "TRACS for Texas-bound Bunnies" volunteers who have saved close to 300 bunnies by sending four van loads of spayed and neutered UVic bunnies to the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas! We are prepared to send more, but all Ministry of Environment permits for rescuing UVic bunnies expire in March. Our permit holder, Laura-Leah Shaw, is applying to renew her permit until Dec. 31, 2011 so that the rabbits remaining on campus after Feb. 28 won't be killed but will be sent to the safe Texas sanctuary. * Help make this extension of our permit to save the UVIC
rabbits possible by signing the petition at: Also, if you live in Victoria, BC (or want to visit), please join the march
planned by the Friends of Animals on Feb. 9, 2011. Here are the preliminary
details: Help save a rabbit while at the same time acquiring a lovely art work to
commemorate this Year of the Rabbit by checking out: UPDATE JAN. 14, 2011. The fourth van load of bunnies, who would otherwise have been culled by the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, has arrived safely at their new sanctuary home at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas. The van was driven all the way by Laura-Leah Shaw. She was accompanied by Kathleen Terrio, who helped navigate and look after the bunnies. Their adventures en route included the rescue of 8 puppies in California. Some of the puppies were found on the side of the highway, separated from the rest of the litter across the railway tracks parallel to the highway. They were taken to a shelter, from which the owner later claimed them after having been given an "educating talk" from the shelter people. Further along, the New Mexico House Rabbit Society once more welcomed and hosted the travelers. These photographs show some aspects of the trip. The carriers were carefully arranged to allow access for feeding and cleaning. They had healthy appetites and munched on their pellets, fruits and vegetables (which helped to keep them hydrated). 
These are the great Pyranees puppies that were saved. Here they are at the shelter. 
After braving all sorts of cold weather and snow conditions, the bunny van finally arrived in Texas, as Kathleen (seen in the distance) points out. 
Once at their destination at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch, the rabbits were happy to be free in their pens. This pen, where Kathleen holds one of the bunnies, was built with the aid of the Boy Scout troop. Laura-Leah is inoculating one of the bunnies before it hops away into the larger pen. All the rest of the bunnies at the sanctuary were inoculated as well, even though some had already been before leaving Canada. This was done as a precaution to ensure good health and long life. 
NONE OF THESE RESCUE OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN PAID FOR BY THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA; INSTEAD, THEY ARE FUNDED ENTIRELY BY DONATIONS AND BY THE UNPAID HELP OF VOLUNTEERS. 
The above poster was designed by volunteer Janice Hildybrant.
UPDATE DEC. 30, 2010 -- ON THE ROAD AGAIN: THE FOURTH BATCH OF UVIC BUNNIES HAVE JUST CROSSED THE CANADA-US BORDER AND ARE EN ROUTE TO THEIR SAFE SANCTUARY AT THE WILD ROSE RESCUE RANCH IN TEXAS! Laura-Leah Shaw, the permit holder, is the sole driver on this long trip through a northern winter to a relatively warm Texas one, which will no doubt delight the bunnies. She is accompanied by Kathleen Terrio, a University of Victoria professor who will keep her company and help look after the rabbits in their carriers. They will arrive at their Texas destination early in the Year of the Rabbit, 2011! Please help to support this amazingly heroic animal welfare effort by donating whatever you can to cover fuel and van rental transportation costs, along with the costs of building another safe and roomy pen for them at their destination. We will also need to support their maintenance for the rest of their lives (10-15 years), including food and veterinary costs. Start the Year of the Rabbit in the right spirit (see below for donation details). For a recent Saanich News interview with Kathleen Terrio, the reasons for her involvement with this cause, and her experiences on the previous trip to Texas, see: Saanich News article. Watch for upcoming fundraisers also. Our last fundraiser was held on the
Winter Solstice at the Overleaf Cafe to a packed audience. More exciting
events to come, including a bunny ballet with original choreography and a
belly dance performance, and more.
LATEST NEWS UPDATE: A third batch of UVic bunnies all arrived safe and sound at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas on Wednesday evening, November 24! To avoid snow conditions of 3 feet or more that would have been the case if they had gone the shorter route taken previously, these bunnies travelled down the West Coast and then over to Texas. They did hit some snow conditions and delays, but thankfully were able to continue until they reached their destination. Laura-Leah Shaw, the permit-holder drove the grueling distance 3/4 of the way by herself, accompanied by the cheerful Kathleen Terrio, who became ill and had to fly home. Then Iris from the House Rabbit Society arrived to help drive the rest of the way to the Texas sanctuary. On the way, volunteers helped and welcomed the weary travelers, so many thanks to the House Rabbit Society and, of course, the wonderful people at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas who received the bunnies. MEANWHILE, back in Victoria, the Art Show and Poetry reading event at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney brought in some much needed revenue. Many thanks to all the artists who contributed their art works to the show and to the donors of art works and auction items. At our feature event on Nov. 17, the poets gave us a reading fit for a 1000 people, so many thanks to Linda Rogers, Karen Ballinger, and bill bissett, as well as to the superb mandolinist, Rick van Krugel. URGENTLY NEEDED: more donations to transport the next batch of rabbits to Texas and to build more pens. Immediate needs also include donations of pet carriers and volunteers: for Victoria residents, please email mhilmo@shaw.ca and for those in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland, please email laura-leah@shaw.ca UPDATE NOVEMBER 2, 2010 -- THE SECOND BATCH OF UVIC BUNNIES ONCE AGAIN ARRIVED SAFELY IN THEIR NEW SANCTUARY WHERE THEY WERE WELCOMED AT THE WILD ROSE RESCUE RANCH IN TEXAS. THIS BRINGS THE NUMBERS SAVED FROM A CULL TO MORE THAN A HUNDRED. This time the spayed and neutered rabbits were accompanied by Victoria volunteer Lesley Sanford, who looked after them on their journey. Happily, they took immediately to their new quarters in the second pen built for them with the help of your donations. This is the second pen built for the latest arrivals, who are just coming our of their carriers from the trip. 
Now the rabbits are beginning to have a look around. Great to stretch one's legs. 
And to get re-acquainted with friends and family! This is the good life. 
Now we need to transport a third batch of bunnies and get another enclosure built for them, so please donate generously, check out the online art auction (above), and if you live in the Victoria area, take in the events at the Mary Winspear Centre this November. The featured event occurs on Wednesday evening, November 17, including a poetry reading and art auction as part of the entertainment. Lovely and stimulating art pieces have been donated by both Canadian and American artists in this cooperative effort spanning the continent. Please help to make it another success for hope and enlightenment. NEWS FLASH OCTOBER 8, 2010 -- THE FIRST BATCH OF BUNNIES RESCUED FROM
THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA ALL ARRIVED SAFELY TODAY AT THEIR PERMANENT
HOME AT THE WILD ROSE RESCUE RANCH IN TEXAS! A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RESCUE PROJECT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA, FAMOUS FOR ITS BUNNIES, DECIDED TO CULL THEM THIS YEAR.  VOLUNTEERS STEPPED FORWARD TO PROTEST. THEN UVIC AGREED TO LET US TAKE UP TO 1000 FROM THE TRAPPERS IF WE:
 UVic bunnies needing to go to their new home Despite innumerable bureaucratic hurdles, we managed to get all those requirements in place, thanks to Laura-Leah Shaw and her assistant, Drina Read. We found a wonderful sanctuary in Texas that will take them and we got the permit. BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS GIGANTIC RESCUE EFFORT A SUCCESS BECAUSE IT IS A COSTLY PROCESS. DONATIONS ARE URGENTLY REQUIRED. NEWS FLASH -- UPDATE ON THE BATTLE OF THE UVIC BUNNIES: SEPT. 15, 2010. We have now rescued several batches of bunnies, had them neutered and spayed (thanks to help from the Fur-Bearer Defenders), and have already moved them to a temporary sanctuary across the border to recuperate (the Ministry of the Environment won't let us take a new batch until we have moved the previous batch across the border!). Here are some of the carriers we've borrowed or bought at thrift shops, all ready to receive their next shipment of rabbits.  Here are some UVic bunnies taking a rest on the first leg of their journey to Texas. They are at Rabbit Haven in Gig Harbor, right across from the Canadian border. They are waiting for the arrival of more UVic bunnies before being taken to Texas. Kathleen Terrio from Victoria, BC is shown feeding UVic bunnies.  Their final home will be at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas. The sanctuary in Texas has ample acreage and a stream where the rabbit final home will be. 
Here is one of the new pens at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch being constructed to house the UVic rabbits: 
WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
TO MAKE AN ONLINE PAYMENT, PRESS "MAKE A DONATION" BELOW and then
in the second stage of the payment process, just below the confirmation
of your address, where it says TO MAKE A PAYMENT BY CHEQUE, make the cheque to TRACS and write in "For UVic rabbits" beside your signature. Then mail to the address below. All donations over $5 are tax deductible. You will be sent a receipt in the mail within about 8 weeks. THANK YOU. |
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Home - Programs - Ongoing Projects - Latest News - Newsletter - Search Horse Adoptions - PMU Foal Caravan - Membership - Links - Site Map  The Responsible Animal Care Society PO Box 26097, Westbank, BC, V4T 2G3 778-754-5522 (tel) info@tracs-bc.ca |
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