“Rabbits are the third most popular pet in Australia, (so myxomatosis) is devastating.”

Myxomatosis was introduced to Australia in the 1950s to reduce the wild rabbit population.

The vaccine is not available in Australia because of concerns the immunity would spread to the wild rabbit population and diminish its effectiveness as a pest control measure.

But Ms Vondruska said children’s pets were dying needlessly because of the disease.

She said she received calls daily from rabbit owners whose pets had contracted myxomatosis.

Senator Ludwig, through spokeswoman Roxanna Auld, said it was necessary to use biological agents such as myxomatosis to keep wild rabbits under control, and that research into a vaccine for pet rabbits was “encouraging”.

While a vaccine for myxomatosis is legal in New Zealand, it is not in Australia for fear it could be transmitted to the wild rabbit population.

Deakin MP Mike Symon said he was encouraged by research into a vaccine, but could not provide a date as to when a vaccine might be available.

“Scientists at the CSIRO, alongside the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, have recently undertaken research to identify a myxomatosis vaccine that might be used in pet rabbits without the risk of spreading the vaccine strain to wild rabbits,” Mr Symon said.

“Until there has been further progress on the vaccine I would encourage pet owners to discuss ways they can protect their pet with their family vet.”

Mr Symon’s response came as a Mt Waverley woman began a campaign to demand the vaccine be legalised.

Activist Karen Vondruska is encouraging people to post a toy rabbit with a letter asking Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Joe Ludwig for the vaccine to be legalised.

Ms Vondruska is the creator of radicalrabbit.org and boingonline.com.

“We started the campaign on February 4 because it is the Chinese Year of the Rabbit,” she said.