A group hoping to remove and find homes for pesky rabbits are finding out it may be easier to catch the elusive critters than deal with all the bureaucracy.

The Responsible Animal Care Society(TRACS) spokesperson, Sinikka Crosland, says they have run head-long into miles of red tape.

Crosland has been hoping to catch and relocate the rabbits, most prevalent along Enterprise Way, after learning the City and Regional District were looking into solutions, including the possibility of culling the rabbits.

She says despite the fact these are not typical wild rabbits, they are considered wildlife by the Wildlife Branch.

"Even though they've come from domestic roots and have been released by people and then they've been reproducing, they're still considered wildlife under Schedule C of the Wildlife Act," says Crosland.

"It means we have a number of hoops to jump through here."

Crosland says a detailed proposal must be submitted along with an animal care application and general permits applications. The process could take four weeks or more.

"We're concerned about the timing. We were ready to start within a week. Now we have to wait four weeks or more."

She says the timing is right to pick up the rabbits now while it's still cold and the rabbits are more willing to approach you for food.

That gets tougher to do when it warms up and the rabbits start to forage for food.

"What can we do!" It would be against the Wildlife Act to for us to start capturing the bunnies."

Crosland hopes the City can get involved to speed up the process because there is a real problem here.

A couple in Joe Rich have indicated they are willing to donate a half acre of their 12 acre property to house some of the rabbits.

"We will have to bring in the fencing. We've got volunteers ready to go"

As for regulations regarding how many rabbits can be housed on the property, Crosland says she will have to investigate that as well.

Link: Culling bunnies not the answer