Rabbits
Rabbits are one of the most common animals brought into shelters, typically because people think baby rabbits have been abandoned or the rabbit or rabbits are genuinely injured.
Below are some signs that you should contact a wildlife rehabilitator or shelter. Warning Signs of Injury:
The examples above are just a short list of visible injuries, but there are many other situations you could experience. If you see an injured animal, contact your local wildlife shelter. |
If you find baby rabbits burrowed somewhere in your yard or other area, it is perfectly fine. Unless you see that they are in a dangerous location, such as a busy road, or you see the mother dead nearby, you should simply leave them alone. Mothers only visit their offspring once, maybe twice, so they will most likely be alone if or when you find them. They are not abandoned.
If however, you contacted a rehabber about a rabbit potentially at risk and were told that the best thing to do is to take them to a shelter, you should make sure to transport them safely.
First of all, litters are usually 3-5, so if you want to make sure you collect all of them, 3-5 is a good estimate. When you pick baby rabbits up, you should never hold them flat in your hand. They are born with very strong legs, so they can easily jump out of your hand or uncovered containers. When you pick them up, you should hold them close to you without squeezing too tightly.
Next, place a soft towel or blanket inside a shoebox or pet carrier. The next important task is to keep the babies warm. The heat source can be created by heating up rice or a water bottle and put it inside a sock, or heat up some water and double bag it in plastic bags. Make sure to lay a towel or blanket over the heat source and feel it to make sure it is not too hot.
If however, you contacted a rehabber about a rabbit potentially at risk and were told that the best thing to do is to take them to a shelter, you should make sure to transport them safely.
First of all, litters are usually 3-5, so if you want to make sure you collect all of them, 3-5 is a good estimate. When you pick baby rabbits up, you should never hold them flat in your hand. They are born with very strong legs, so they can easily jump out of your hand or uncovered containers. When you pick them up, you should hold them close to you without squeezing too tightly.
Next, place a soft towel or blanket inside a shoebox or pet carrier. The next important task is to keep the babies warm. The heat source can be created by heating up rice or a water bottle and put it inside a sock, or heat up some water and double bag it in plastic bags. Make sure to lay a towel or blanket over the heat source and feel it to make sure it is not too hot.
More Information
If a rabbit burrows in your yard and you have trouble keeping pets out of that burrow, where babies could potentially be...
Make sure to keep a collar with a bell on your cat, especially if it is an outdoor cat, so that prey can hear the cat approaching. Cat saliva is toxic to wildlife, so one bite from a cat is a death sentence.
- Put a laundry basket with something heavy on top and a hole in the side big enough for the mom to fit through
- Place any kind of fencing that the mom can fit through around the burrow
- It’s different for every dog, so you may not even need to put barriers around the burrow
Make sure to keep a collar with a bell on your cat, especially if it is an outdoor cat, so that prey can hear the cat approaching. Cat saliva is toxic to wildlife, so one bite from a cat is a death sentence.