They may be cute and fuzzy, but they\u2019re not to be taken lightly. We are referring to potentially hundreds of feral rabbits that have infiltrated parts of the Mendenhall Valley. <\/p>\n
These rabbits need to be taken seriously. Their population boom began about three years ago, experts believe, and today we think they should be treated like any other invasive species in our midst \u2014 with little sympathy. <\/p>\n
If that sounds harsh, let us explain. There are many good reasons not to feed them, provide them with refuge or turn them in to our local shelter, Gastineau Humane Society. But we\u2019re not advocating for inaction, either. If nothing\u2019s done, they\u2019ll create a problem that is both expensive and potentially dangerous. <\/p>\n
We wholeheartedly advocate for these little beasts to be humanely trapped in live traps, and then donated to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, where they will be euthanized and donated to raptor rehabilitation centers, like the Juneau Raptor Center, to help sustain recovering birds of prey. <\/p>\n
As we mentioned before, experts don\u2019t know how bad the infestation is \u2014 they\u2019re not exactly sure how many rabbits they\u2019re dealing with. That\u2019s understandable \u2014 the animals are sneaky, fast and officials have only recently begun to tackle this problem. <\/p>\n
But they do know this: rabbits reproduce like, well, rabbits. Gestation for a litter is roughly 31 days. And, a doe (female) can become pregnant again just days after giving birth. Yes. Days. <\/p>\n
While many would assume these little critters wouldn\u2019t be able to live in our unpredictable, and often harsh, environment, it seems they have proved us wrong. Perhaps it is the rabbits\u2019 proximity to a population center that has contributed to their growth in numbers. Perhaps it is due to the fact some residents are feeding and providing shelter for these animals. It\u2019s hard to be sure. <\/p>\n
However, we talked to Gastineau Humane Society. From January to June of this year, the nonprofit has cared for and spayed or neutered 22 rabbits. That is a sharp increase from years past. In that short time period, those rabbits cost the shelter more than $16,000. <\/p>\n
That figure is significantly more per animal than what they spend on cats and dogs. Based on our rough calculation, the cost to care for these rabbits runs about $700 per animal. For dogs and cats it\u2019s significantly lower, and hovers around a couple hundred dollars per animal. <\/p>\n
So what drives up the cost of these rabbits? Well, they are extremely fragile when it comes to procedures, and hence they are more expensive to fix. Furthermore, they have a longer average stay at the shelter \u2014 from two months to a year. In contrast, dogs and cats often stay at the shelter for far less time, depending on age and breed. <\/p>\n
These rabbits are already a huge burden on GHS. Juneau\u2019s rabbit problem only stands to damage the services the shelter strives to provide. As a nonprofit, the shelter operates with a finite pot of money \u2014 one that we\u2019d rather be seen spent on finding pets forever homes, not addressing an invasive species issue. <\/p>\n
So what should be done? First, the City and Borough of Juneau should adopt an ordinance that allows animal control officers to capture these vermin. Second, any captured rabbits \u2014 whether by residents or animal control \u2014 should be donated to ADFG so they can, in turn, feed injured or sick raptors in the care of local nonprofits. Third \u2014 and perhaps the absolute most important step \u2014 stop feeding these rabbits, stop providing them with asylum from the elements and natural predators and do not move them. Let us say it again: Do not move them to another location. <\/p>\n
If nothing is done, if no changes to animal control policies are made, disease could be introduced to our wild hare populations, sickness could befall our pets and those illnesses could, in turn, be passed on to humans. Rabbits are notorious for spreading disease. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re going to do anything, trap them in live traps (ADFG and GHS have loaner traps available) and take them to Fish and Game. <\/p>\n
In the end, feed the eagles and not the rabbits. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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