It is baby season, so what do you do if you find a baby rabbit?

Rabbit nests are often very shallow and about the size of a pie pan. Unfortunately, mama rabbits will choose inconvenient spots, like your yard, for a nesting spot. If you or your pet destroy a rabbit’s nest, return as much of the bedding material as possible back inside the shallow hole that is the nesting spot. If the babies are not injured, place them on the nest and cover them the best you can. Mother rabbits do not stay with the babies as a way to keep preditors from finding the babies. She will visit the nest 2 or 3 times a day to feed and care for the babies. If you are uncertain as to whether the mother is returning to her babies, you can drape a string or small sticks in an “X” or tic-tac-toe pattern on top of the nest. If the pattern has been disturbed, mom is returning. Keep all pets away from the area for several weeks and allow the babies time to grow. If the string is undisturbed, then the mother did not return. Call a rehabber for further instructions. If the bunny has been injured, including one that has been in contact with a cat, call a rehabber immediately. Be sure to place the baby in a towel lined box, add a source of heat to keep it warm and do not give any food or fluids.