Dozens of abandoned rabbits rehomed after Selkirk rescue operation

A yearlong effort to capture and rehome domestic rabbits abandoned in Selkirk has wrapped up, with dozens of animals now adopted or living in foster care and no new reports of loose rabbits in the city.

Popcorns and Binkies Rescue Haven, a Manitoba-based rabbit rescue, worked with the City of Selkirk after learning in 2024 that domesticated rabbits had been intentionally released into the community. Volunteers began trapping the animals last fall, using a city-provided facility and foster homes in Selkirk and Winnipeg to house them.

A spokesperson for the rescue said 61 rabbits were ultimately taken into care, including some born after capture. Fifteen died, mostly young animals weakened by illness and malnutrition, while 46 survived. Of those, 19 have already been adopted and the rest remain in foster care.

“All of the deaths can be traced back to the poor care and diet they had living on the streets,” the spokesperson said. “It was a difficult year emotionally for our volunteers and financially for the organization, but we’re relieved that so many were saved.”

Domestic rabbits are not equipped to survive outdoors, the spokesperson said. Unlike wild rabbits, they lack camouflage, are slower, and are prone to health problems that can become fatal without regular care. Many of the rescued animals were malnourished, anemic and suffering from infections, while others had overgrown teeth that made eating difficult.

Some females were pregnant when trapped. Two litters died shortly after birth due to poor nutrition in the wild, the rescue said.

More than $50,000 has already been spent on veterinary care, food and shelter, including spaying and neutering nearly all of the animals. The rescue expects to spend at least another $15,000 before all remaining rabbits are adopted.

City of Selkirk Director of Protective Services Kristy Hill said the root cause of the problem was animal abandonment, which falls under Manitoba’s Animal Care Act.

“The city continues to advocate for more provincial involvement and support so there are long-term, enforceable solutions,” Hill said. “We want to work with the province to make sure animals are safe and cared for, but our tools are limited without that partnership.”

Hill said pet owners remain responsible for their animals, regardless of species.

“No matter how your pet gets loose, you are responsible for getting it back into your possession,” she said. “It’s unacceptable to let an animal fend for itself.”

The rescue credited community support for helping bring the situation under control. Adoption events and volunteer meetings were hosted at the Manitoba Marine Museum, while local businesses including Assiniboia Animal Hospital, Grant Park Animal Hospital, Selkirk Pet Valu and Global Pet Foods St. Vital, provided support and services.

The rescue also highlighted a pair of Selkirk girls who raised nearly $1,000 for the rabbits through a summer lemonade stand.

The city contributed space to house the animals and about 100 staff hours to assist with the operation. However, the rescue said trapping was slowed at times when property owners denied access to their land.

With no new calls about loose domestic rabbits, both the city and the rescue believe the population has been brought under control. But they warn the outcome could have been avoided.

“This didn’t have to happen,” the rescue spokesperson said. “Every loss we saw was preventable if these animals hadn’t been abandoned in the first place.”

This story was originally published in The Winnipeg Sun. It is republished under a Creative Commons license as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.