You've Found a Baby Bunny, Now What?

If you have disturbed a nest of baby bunnies, place all material back in the nest and snuggle the bunnies down inside it. The nest will be lined with the mother's fur. Cut several pieces of string (about a foot long) or use very small sticks and cross them on top of the nest to make a star. Check the nest the next morning to see if the string or sticks have been disturbed by the mother's coming and going. Remember, you may never see her.

Follow up:

Healthy babies can be placed back in the nest. Young rabbits are weaned at a very early age. If you had to chase the rabbit in order to catch it, then it probably didn't need rescuing. Simply return the rabbit back to where it was found.

If the nest looks as if the mother is not returning, if the string has not been moved or if the babies look thin, feel cold, have ants, maggots or flies on them then call a rehabber immediately. Any rabbit that was brought to you by a dog or cat must be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as the animal will need to be given antibiotics.

If a cat or dog has brought in a rabbit, then closely follow the dog or cat the next time it goes out in order to locate the nest of babies. If the nest isn't found, then the dog or cat will continue to kill or harm the rest of the litter. Consider keeping your dog or cat inside and away from the nest for a few weeks allowing the kits time to grow up and leave the area.

If no nest is to be found, if the rabbit is injured, or if a dog or cat has had the rabbit, the most important thing to do is to provide warmth and quiet until you can get the rabbit to a rehabber or vet. Rabbits can die simply from the stress of being near humans. Handle them as little as possible, keep them in a quiet, warm location until you reach a rehabber. Remember, do not give the bunnies anything to eat or drink.