CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) recently presented to the City Council a plan to address the ongoing issue of domestic feral rabbits at Crosswoods Community Park.

Rabbits have run wild in the park for decades, but they are abandoned domestic rabbits, which are not equipped with the instincts necessary to survive in the wild. Most domestic rabbits kept as pets can live up to 10 years, but the rabbits in the park live no more than three years. The rabbits breed, creating new generations of rabbits with a low quality of life, as they are often hit by cars, killed by predators, and infected with various illnesses.

There had been public comments at previous Council meetings from animal advocates who were distressed by the lack of attention to the abandoned rabbits, as well as the lack of community support for rescue organizations who were attempting to catch and care for the rabbits. In particular, volunteers at the animal rescue group Only Sunshine Sanctuary grew frustrated, as they felt that the problem was not being taken seriously.

Because the rabbits were abandoned domestic animals, Only Sunshine Sanctuary Founder Kristy Venrick-Mardon explained in an interview that they were legally within their rights to catch the rabbits and find homes for them. Unfortunately, they were often harassed by neighbors and visitors to the park who enjoyed seeing the rabbits. Venrick-Mardon said it was stressful for the volunteers because they wanted to ensure the rabbits lived long and healthy lives, which they were not able to do living wild in the park. In order to have community support, the volunteers needed the support of the City and the police department, so they continued reaching out.

Police Services Manager Tiffany Campbell responded, and recently set up stakeholder meetings in the park with the CHPD Animal Services Unit, animal shelters, rescue organizations, animal advocates, veterinarians, and park administration to work together and find solutions. Campbell said, “We’re extremely thankful for the opportunity and the partnership that was created. …  I’m really proud of this endeavor.”

These meetings led to practical solutions, such as a planned public education campaign to explain the difference between true wild rabbits and these domestic feral rabbits. Signage at the park will increase public awareness, and encourage citizens to report any illegal dumping of domestic rabbits at the park. There will also be periodic scheduled rescue days for rescue groups to collect rabbits from the park to give them needed medical care as well get them spayed and neutered so they can be adopted.

As part of the new plan, Placer County Animals Services Shelter has agreed to spay/neuter 20 rabbits (a total cost of $4,000). Only Sunshine Sanctuary has collected more than 100 rabbits from the park in the last two years, and most of those have already been spayed/neutered, at their own cost, and have been adopted.

Katie Franco, an animal advocate who volunteers with Only Sunshine Sanctuary, spoke during the City Council meeting, stating that “rabbits are often seen as livestock, but they are actually the third most popular pet after cats and dogs. … Rabbits are just as affectionate and smart.” Franco said that she supports the plan and appreciated the CHPD and other groups working together to ensure that these rabbits have an improved quality of life.

“It felt like an uphill battle for a long time,” said Only Sunshine Sanctuary Founder Venrick-Mardon, but she is “really grateful” for the City’s support and the plan that is now in place. She said, “We’re really proud of ourselves for not giving up on these rabbits.” There are estimated to only be five rabbits left at the park, the hope is that the population can be kept under control with the new plan and those rabbits can all find homes in the future.