UVic Rabbits: Help Needed - Carriers, Garage or Shed?

Thankfully, the ordeal with the UVic rabbits has been peacefully resolved, and at this very moment rabbits are being spayed and neutered, and moved to sanctuaries.

A little more help is needed. First, if anyone has an unused, small dog or cat carrier, the organizers need more for transporting the rabbits.

Also, a shed or garage is needed to temporarily house a number of the rabbits after their operations. This requires no effort on the part of the home-owner, rabbit volunteers will take care of everything, but a spot is needed to keep the rabbits for a few days after their surgery. Do you have such a spot?

If you can help with either of these, please email Bill: sedgewick@shaw.ca, who’s been a tremendous help in organizing these aspects. For more info on the UVic rabbit situation, visit UVicBunnies.org

Thanks so much!

UPDATE, 9/14:

Thanks to those who have offered carriers and space, please keep them coming! Note that they don't have to be brand new, used carriers are fine as well. Help with transport, like a minivan or covered truck, would also be useful.

Also, a story in the Tuesday Times Colonist: http://www.timescolonist.com/health/Antibiotics+mess+your+stomach+study+finds/3522275/story.html

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Recent Noteworth Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor are great way for communicating ideas and messages, here are two recent ones.

The first comments on the recent demonstration from PETA here in Victoria:

Sexist and sexy are not the same
By Laura Filipovic,
Times Colonist
August 21, 2010
http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/Sexist+sexy+same/3426796/story.html

I was dismayed to see the Times Colonist giving credence to the nearly naked female PETA activists on display Monday by publishing their picture.

Replicating the same image that Pamela Anderson did with her controversial PETA ad a month or so back, these women once again proved that PETA seems to only stoop to sexist ploys in order to gain attention.

By reducing women to animals and body parts, the nudity of these women becomes reductive; meant to titillate as opposed to educate. If the point is that animals should not be thought of as a product to be consumed, then why try to say that by comparing animals to women who are nearly naked and posing in a way that implies objectification?

I do not question these women's individual agency to use their bodies for a purpose they see fit; I call into question why we as a society give PETA as much credibility as we do when their approach does not liberate animals, but serves to offend and objectify already marginalized groups.

Laura Filipovic
Victoria
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

The next letter is in response to a comment/grade given by Monday Magazine the previous week, where they 'fail' UVic because they're allowing rabbits to be sent to a shelter in Texas instead of dealing with (read: kill) them as any other 'pests' such as rats. I would argue we humans much more accurately fit the description of 'pest' than any rabbits.

Screw the U
Re: “Report Card,” August 25-September 1
http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/letters-september-2/

Giving an F to the University of Victoria for sending their pest problem to other areas is another example of the ignorance of Victoria’s media. Would they ship rats or termites? Are rats or termites the third most popular house pet in North America as are rabbits? Are rabbits disease carriers or vermin? Nope, not even rodents.

The rabbits at UVic are descendants of domestic rabbits that were thoughtlessly abandoned by uncaring owners. And many of these rabbits will not be lucky enough to be moved out as a cull is still in the works. Frankly giving UVic an F is probably the right thing. An F for not neutering these creatures years ago when suggested and an F for trying to blame the rabbits for UVic’s mistakes.

William Jesse, Oak Bay

Thanks to these authors for expressing their thoughts and concerns, and I hope these letters inspire you to speak up on an issue important to you as well!

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg