We’re releasing this episode in time for International Rabbit Day – a celebration of our favourite floppy-eared lagomorphs. While rabbits do make wonderful companions, they are frequently released or dumped in the wild – and with an exceptionally quick gestation period, that can lead to a lot of domestic rabbits in the wild, really fast.

Fortunately, there are incredible people who are working to find homes for rabbits and prevent the need for dumping – like Amy McLaughin of Amy’s Bunny Barn on Vancouver Island.

A vet assistant, past SPCA worker, and passionate advocate for rabbits, Amy is providing essential education, foster care, and resources to help keep bunnies in homes with full, happy lives. To share more about what goes into caring for a pet rabbit, why dumping is such an issue, and the importance of meeting the many needs of bunnies in homes, Amy joins Defender Radio.

SHOW NOTES

The rabbit shown in the episode artwork is named Bella, and is one of many bunnies available for adoption! Visit https://www.amysbunnybarn.org/adoptables to see more.

Amy's Bunny Barn online: https://www.amysbunnybarn.org/
Support Amy's Bunny Barn with a tax deductible donation: https://www.amysbunnybarn.org/donate

Amy's Bunny Barn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amysbunnybarn/
Amy's Bunny Barn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amysbunnybarn/
Amy's Bunny Barn on Pinterest: https://ca.pinterest.com/amysbunnybarn/
Amy's Bunny Barn on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amybunnybarn

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree).

Finding community is an important part of being an advocate – and in a post pandemic world, that can be a struggle. Fortunately, opportunities like Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals bring together hundreds of likeminded people, sharing resources, ideas, and finding hope together.

The 2025 Summit for Animals is taking place in Montreal, Quebec on April 27, 28 and 29 – and there’s still time to submit a proposal to present yourself! To learn more about the Summit, the range of subjects that will be presented upon, and what kind of proposal is perfect, Humane Canada’s Natalia Hanson joins Defender Radio.

SHOW NOTES

Episode art photo by RT-Images / Getty Images

Humane Canada's website: https://humanecanada.ca/
Humane Canada's Summit for Animals website: https://reg.eventmobi.com/summitforanimals

Humane Canada on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumaneCanada/
Humane Canada on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanecanada/?hl=en
Humane Canada on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanecanada/
Humane Canada on X: https://x.com/HumaneCanada

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree).

Hundreds of black bears are killed in British Columbia every year; often, the issue leading to government agents killing bears is attractants such as unsecure garbage that bears may want to explore or eat. While there is much to be said and debated about this situation, one thing is clear: communities need solutions. And that’s where the Ursa Project comes in.

Founded in Nelson, BC, in 2022, the Ursa Project was created by concerned citizens who wanted to see the bears of their community protected, not killed simply for looking for food. To date, the non-profit has made inroads in getting new waste management tools, increasing education, and providing an important voice to represent the needs of bears in local decision-making. To share more about the origins, work, and goals of the Ursa Project, Defender Radio is joined by founding member Katie Graves.

SHOW NOTES

Ursa Project's website: https://www.theursaproject.ca/
Ursa Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/789619325665220/
Ursa Project on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ursaprojectnelson/

FREE coexistence door hangers: https://thefurbearers.com/resources
The Fur-Bearers' Attractants page: https://thefurbearers.com/attractants
The Fur-Bearers' BC Black Bears page: https://www.thefurbearers.com/bcblackbears

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree).