You found a baby rabbit? What now?
(If you have found a squirrel...please visit http://www.squirreltales.org for more help.)
I know it is the cutest little thing that you've ever seen...
BUT...Please don't even think about tyring to raise it and keeping it as a pet. This is a wild animal that deserves its freedom in the wild. They do not make good pets and the stress of captivity will doom this rabbit to a miserable and depressing death.
If you want a rabbit as a pet, please visit this link www.rabbit.org to inquire about rescuing a domestic rabbit. Domestic rabbits are very precious and can be even more enjoyable than dogs, cats, birds, etc. I personally completely and whole heartedly adore my domestic rabbits, BuddyBunny an LucyGucy. BuddyBunny was a rescue from the humane society that was on death row awaiting execution for a crime of unwantedness. He has brought so much love and insight to my life. He is my favorite (don't let my other animals hear me say that) buddy and helps me with the cottontails that I get to rehab. LucyGucy is a domestic rabbit that I adopted through the North Georgia House Rabbit Society...for BuddyBunny (yeah, right.) She is so full of life and personality and keeps me giggling with her antics as her and BuddyBunny play and snuggle.
FOLLOW THESE 3 STEPS TO HELP SAVE THIS BUNNY'S LIFE!!!!
1. FIRST, DO NOT FEED!! You do not realize the damage you will be causing by feeding a rabbit that is dehydrated, stressed or injured. Also, the food/milk formula that a wild rabbit needs is NOT like a domestic rabbit, cat or dog. I can not (will not - for your sake) describe vivdly enough the horror and pain that a baby bunny goes through when it gets diarrhea from the wrong food. You may offer a saucer of WATER (if eyes are open) and non-treated grass/hay clippings until you can get it in touch with or get it to a wildlife rehabilitator.
2. SECOND, Put the bunny in a box with a t-shirt/towel/baby blanket and keep the bunny in a quiet and warm (not hot) location away from little hands and curious on-lookers. (Depending on the age of the bunny) Bunnies will react in one of two ways when in a situation that he shouldn't be in. (FIGHT=(FREEZE) or FLIGHT) He may act calm and quiet. This is a defense response. He thinks that if he is still, you won't see him and if he doesn't fight against you...you won't hurt him. All that he really wants to do is plan for his escape. He may look calm because he is not bouncing around but on the inside his heart is beating so fast that it makes his blood pressure rise and is burning off all the energy calories he needs to sustain proper health. It will be only a matter of time (maybe minutes) before his body gives out. The other defense response is a blood curling scream or an un-controllable jump/bounce. Yes, bunnies can and will scream. This is NOT something that you want to hear. They are either in severe pain or scared out of their little minds.
3. THIRD, Please contact a local wildlife rehabilitator!! Try contacting your state Department of Natural Resources for a listing (For Georgia Residents use this link, http://www.georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/uploads/wildlife/hunting/pdf/special_permits/Wildlife_Rehabilitator_List.pdf ) or call your local vet. Most vets have a listing of local rehabbers or personally know of some that might be able to help you...(remember, that being a wildlife rehabber is a volunteer position and that certain rehabbers are only licensed or have knowledge to do a certain species). I have heard from many rescuers that finding someone to help is the most difficult thing to do. PLEASE do not give up. You might end up calling several places before you find someone that can help you. Some rehabbers only take in certain animals but most will be able to point you in the right direction to help you. All states have laws pertaining to keeping wildlife. The average time that a wild animal can be in the care of a non-licensed rehabber is only 48 hours. Some licensed rehabbers may even refuse to take the animal if it was in you care too long because of human imprinting or damage that you may have caused from feeding it the wrong items. They don't want nor need to deal with the guilt of a dying animal from someone else's ignorance. This is also theytype of rescuer that doesn't even care about the animals welfare once it is given up. Out of sight...out of mind...no guilt...placed blame of death on someone else. Wildlife rehabbers have been known as miracle workers but we are not GOD, we can NOT bring a dead animal back to life from someone's elses ignorance.
You will need to give the rehabilitator some important information about bunny. We need this information in order to save the rabbit and give it the proper care.
1. What was the situation of the rescue? Abandonment, Cat or Dog caught, hit by a car, found in a burn pile, lawn mower/weed whacker accident, stepped on, etc.
2. Did you give any food or medications? How much? What?
3. How long has the bunny been in your care? (this is extremely important if the bunny was cat caught or has injuries)
4. How big is the bunny? Eyes open or closed? Furred?
FOUND NEST
Don't be a bun-knapper. Keep an eye on the nest (but don't stay near it or constantly check on it) and keep kids and your animals away from that area. Do not fence the area off...how will mom get to her babies? Mom takes the same approach every visit to the nest and doesn't understand barriers or how to get around them to get to her babies. Mom will only visit the babies once (maybe even twice) during the night time and only if there are no predators around. In an animal's eyes, even well-meaning nice people are considered a predator. Mom doesn't want to put herself or her babies in danger by "advertising" the location of her nest. It will be very unlikely that you will even see mom come to the nest but if it will put your mind and spirit at ease and you think that mom has not visited the nest to feed her babies, check the babies for full fat tummies in the morning. Do your best not to disturb the nest when you check on them and control yourself from checking them more than once a day. You can also circle the nest area with a thick layer of flour to check for tracks and disturbance. Once you are sure that mom is visiting the nest...don't keep checking on them. Leave them alone and let them grow up undisturbed and unstressed. If at anytime you are not sure, leave the babies there and call a wildlife rehabilitator for more help. The rehabber may ask you to retrieve the babies and weigh them or examine them for full tummies, injuries or stimulate them and then put the babies back and leave them one more night or retrieve the babies and keep them in a warm quiet place until you can get them to them.
CAT CAUGHT
If the rabbit was caught by a cat, it is imperative that you get it to a rehabber as soon as possible. Cat injuries are deadly. Cat teeth and claws are like hyperdermic needles that go directly into the blood stream. You may not even see any wounds but they are there and if an antibiotic is not given with in a certain amount of time...let's just not talk about that. I have had tooooo many cat caught bunnies that have died from infections because the rescuer did not see any apparent wounds and waited too long to get help.
DOG CAUGHT
If a rabbit was caught by a dog, there maybe damage that we can not see from the outside on first examination. Dogs crush when they bite. They cause internal damage to the organs, bruises and break bones. Depending on the breed of dog, there could be even more severe damage. Some breeds will snatch and shake the rabbit like a ragdoll, others think of the rabbit as a chew toy and then others may just bring you the rabbit as a present or a "look at what I found".
LAWN MOWER/WEED WHACKER/BURN PILE
I pray that this one never happens to you. I've have seen grown men cry about this one. Don't wait to find help. Seconds can save a life and save you from the guilt of just doing your necessary chores. If you've located a nest in your yard. Stay clear of it with lawn equipment for about 4 weeks or until you are sure the nest is empty. I understand that with HOA neighborhoods this may pose a problem. I would suggest that you take a picture of the innocent little babies and send it with a letter to the HOA board. If they do not approve the overgrown lawn in that area for the next 4 weeks, contact you local wildlife advocate association for help...I am always willing to be an advocate for you and the critters.
HIT BY CAR
Ouch. The rabbit will be in shock especially if a head injury occured. Slowly and quietly take the rabbit and palce in a box with a towel also make a note of the location where you got it (if it is a mommy rabbit that is nursing, someone will need to check the area for babies and/or return the rabbit as soon as possible depending on the injuries). Get in touch with a wildlife rehabber as soon as possible to have wounds evaluated and treated. Broken bones can cause shock, pain and death. Head injuries can cause neurological problems from the swelling and then death. Blood loss can cause death.
