Bunny Cafe hopes for a `hoppy' end for rescued Granville Island rabbits

Vancouver Sun

Rabbitats Rescue Society has teamed up with the Vancouver-based Bunny Cafe in the hopes of finding new homes for some once-unwanted rabbits.

Located at 1696 Venables St., the “café” aims to offer a safe space for the adoptable rabbits to roam — until they find their new homes.

The rabbits were rounded up in the fall from the area around Granville Island, where the Richmond-based Rabbitats society says abandoned pet rabbits were populating the area around Ron Basford Park.

Granville Island management planned to trap and euthanize the rabbits due to concerns about them drawing coyotes to the busy area. The plan sparked outrage among animal advocacy groups in October. A partnership to round up and rehouse the rabbits with the help of the Richmond-based Rabbitats group was announced after just one bunny was captured.

“This has been the best outcome for the Granville Island rabbits,” Sorelle Saidman, founder of Rabbitats, said in a news release.

“We're so happy management (was) willing to work with us, they've been very supportive. This ensures the safety of the environment and the humans and other pets on the island at risk from the coyotes as well.”

The initiative saw 27 rabbits, including two pregnant females, removed from the Granville Island area. After the bunnies gave birth, that total climbed to 37. The two female rabbits, along with their 10 babies and a few assorted bunny pals, are available for adoption at the café this holiday season.

The organization will be looking for foster homes for the baby rabbits that aren't placed during the six-week café event. Rabbits that go unadopted will “live out their lives” at the Rabbitats sanctuary.

Opened in June 2021 as a response to a shortage of spaces for adoptable bunnies in local animal shelters, the vegan café offers a selection of drinks and snacks, along with the bunny cuddles.

Operated by the same ownership behind the feline-friendly Catfe at 88 West Pender St., open since 2015, the Bunny Cafe has an admission fee ($15.95 plus tax per person for one hour and $7.95 plus tax for 30 minutes) and includes a healthy treat cup to be hand-fed to the bunnies.

Half of the admission fee goes back to the Rabbitats group to assist with its rabbit rescue efforts. Reservations to visit can be made online at bunnycafe.ca. Visitors must be five years of age or older, and children ages five to 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

The B.C. SPCA posted a reminder this holiday season to think carefully about the commitment that giving an animal as a gift presents.

“It's really important to make sure the person has the time for them, and to make sure the pet is the right age, breed, and activity level for them and their lifestyle,” said Kim Monteith, manager of animal welfare for the non-profit animal rescue organization.

“It is a big commitment — one that could be 15-20 years — so we want to make sure people are ready for a pet and want the pet they're given.”

The rescue organization shared a few steps to follow before deciding on a furry friend for yourself or a loved one this festive season, including determining what type of pet best fits your or the gift recipient's lifestyle, and visiting a local rescue shelter to interact with the animals before adopting.

For more information and tips, visit spca.bc.ca.

ALEE­SHA HAR­RIS ahar­ris@post­media.com