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7 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Saturday, March 28, 2009 The return of rabbit season S pring is here and for the Oakville and District Humane Society the annual enquiries about rabbits have already begun. Each year, the shelter responds to people who experience rabbits living on their property. Animals reappear in spring after a long winter spent under cover. Babies also appear and people often presume they need to be cared for. While the shelter often has domestic rabbits available for adoption, wild rabbits (cottontails or hares) are best left to live in their natural surroundings. These rabbits are not friendly by nature like a domestic rabbit. Beyond behaviour, there are distinct physical features that distinguish the wild from the domestic rabbit. Wild rabbits are generally brown and gray and have an innate fear of humans and other animals. They have long slender legs and longer, pointed faces. Domestic rabbits come in a great variety of colours and have a more rounded head and chubby cheeks. If you have a wild rabbit living on your property, there are some general rules to follow to co-habitat effectively. Wild rabbits do not require a remote environment to live. The rabbit young grow and move out quickly. At about three weeks of age a rabbit will leave the nest and become independent. If you discover a nest of babies, it is best to leave it. Moving rabbit babies to a new location will orphan the young. If a bunny appears to need assistance, it is important to leave its care to professionals trained in wildlife. The Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) is a registered charity that strives to help people and wildlife through wildlife services (rescues, medical care, rehabilitation, returning recovered patients to the wild) and public education. The Oakville and District Humane Society is not licenced to house wildlife for more than 24 hours and uses the services of the TWC to assist with its wildlife cases. The TWC Wildlife Hotline, which receives approximately 30,000 calls each year, is the busiest of its kind in North America and is considered a model by organizations, such as the Humane Society of the United States. Rabbits are provincially protected by law. It is also against the law to care for them without permits. People also seek solutions to help prevent property damage from rabbits. Removing food sources is a good start. Erecting a small fence around a garden, at least two feet and sunk vertically into the ground at least eight inches, will help keep rabbits away. Some have reported success deterring rabbits with pinwheels, scare balloons, glass bottles buried neck deep in the dirt and human hair placed in net bags around the area. This should not be done if there is a rabbit's nest in the area, as harassment may cause a mother to abandon her young. Interest in both wild and domestic rabbits of all kinds escalates around the Easter season, but seasonal gifts often find their way to the shelter. Letting wild rabbits live on your property may be an enjoyable alternative. For assistance with rabbit problems or concerns, call the humane society at 905-845-1551 or the TWC Wildlife Hotline at 416631-0662. MARCH 28 - APRIL 11TH 20% OFF ALL CLOTHING BUY 1 GET 2ND ITEM 20% OFF*! *(Equal or lesser value) Sale not applicable to all products. See store for details. EASTER SALE 2 WEEKS ONLY! TOYS & ACCESSORIES · TOYS · CLOTHING · BABY & KID GEAR AND MORE! Mon - Closed · Tues - 10 am - 6 pm · Wed - 10 am - 6 pm Thurs - 10 am - 8 pm · Fri 10 am - 8 pm Sat - 9:30 am - 6 pm · Sun - 12 pm - 4 pm t: 905.315.9930 www.mudpiesdaisies.com 3450 Dundas Street, Unit B16, Burlington, (Dundas St. & Walker Line, SW corner) Dancing with the Stars! special offer 5 SESSIONS OF DANCING $ NEW STUDENT OFFER By yourself or with a partner 25 New Students Over 21 Only CALL NOW First 25 callers www.fredastaire.ca OAKVILLE: 225 Lakeshore Rd. E., (2nd flr) 905-815-3237 Entrances on Lakeshore & Church St. OakvilleStudio@fredastaire.ca HAMILTON: 1092 Main Street W. 905-522-3237 Free Parking HamiltonStudio@fredastaire.ca Glen Oaks has the solution. The key is our all-in-one facility... Making final arrangements is like fitting together a puzzle. Glen Oaks has all the pieces right here for cremation, cemetery, visitation, reception and more. Why struggle with multiple locations? Simplify life. Call for your FREE Info Kit: 905 257-1100 Conditions Apply. Expires 03/31/2009 Cemetery, Crematorium, Mausoleum, Memorial Chapel & Reception Centre Hwy. 403 & Dundas St. · www.glenoaks.ca GLEN OAKS MEMORIAL GARDENS The only one of its kind in the area!