Help with accidental rescues

[fosterhelp1819]

Hi! So I live in the U.S. but this is the only bunny related forum I could find to ask for advice and I could really use some right now. I was at a store the other day, getting hay for an injured rabbit that lives in my area I'm trying to coax in and rescue. I met a man in that isle that struck up a conversation and told me he took baby bunnies from nest and refused to reunite them with mom because the nest was in his yard and he didn't want bunnies there because his dog would attack them again. I tried everything to get him to just leave them alone and put them back but he was adamant he wouldn't and I was concerned what this man would do to them if I didnt agree to take them so I did. No rehabbers in the area will take them. Only 2 left, other 3 died from stress or injuries from the guy's dog that got into the nest. They are cottontails and around 4wks old. Eating on their own. How soon can I release them? I am keeping them on my screened in patio so they are still outside-ish. I don't want to domesticate them. Google says wait until they are 6 weeks to release but I don't want to risk keeping them too long and having them not be able to survive on their own. Any advice? I live near a bunny colony but I'm in the city and I think its dangerous for them here lots of other animals that would eat them (cats, adult rats) and traffic everywhere. Should I bring them to more of a rural setting to release? Will they be able to find shelter/ build a nest? Do they need a colony? How do I give them the best chance of survival?

 

[bunny momma]

I am from USA and before I had domesticated bunnies, I kept a rescued eastern cottontail as a pet,. She retained her wild spirit so the baby bunnies should still have their wild instincts when you release them in a few weeks. Since they are eating on their own, I suggest keeping their diet as close as possible to what they would eat in the wild.
I often have a cottontail or two in my yard and, except for spring courtship periods, adults usually live alone.
You may be able to call your local spca to ask for advice, names of wildlife rehabers, and where to release the bunnies when it is time. Perhaps an area with lots of places to hide and an ample supply of food.
Good luck.

 

[Cinnabun14]

I have not done this before, but I agree with bunny momma. Try not to change anything about them--keep their food the same. And also try not to touch them as much as possible. More handling makes them used to it, which can end up being dangerous for animals that will be released into the wild. If you need to handle them, I would suggest using gloves. Also, keep them away from other rabbits; that's probably the most important thing.

Thank you for rescuing them. I'm sorry nobody in the area will help you, but here's a site where you might be able to find a different rehab.

Find wildlife rescue and rehabilitators by state

Find a local wildlife rehabber to help orphaned, sick or injured animals using this directory from state departments.

www.humaneworld.org

 

[fosterhelp1819]

Thank you for the advice. I have done other animals in the past so definitely know not to handle and doing my best to make sure everything stays as it would if they were outside as much as possible. I appreciate you guys so much. And thank you for sending me those resources!!

 

[William]

Some good advice already in this post As bunny momma said, cottontails aren't that social, they arent like European rabbits. So that makes things simpler in this situation.

I think this is the best possible outcome for them, so it's lucky that man found you. If they're 4 weeks old, then they're already eating on their own, pretty independent already and getting ready to leave mom.

the most important thing is really just finding them a safe place without dogs. It's a shame that a few died already from his dog but at least these ones were saved.

 

[Cinnabun14]

Thank you for the advice. I have done other animals in the past so definitely know not to handle and doing my best to make sure everything stays as it would if they were outside as much as possible. I appreciate you guys so much. And thank you for sending me those resources!!

I'm so glad you've done this before! A lot of people want to cuddle wild animals before they release them in the wild, and it's hard to stress how dangerous that is! (Although, can you blame them? baby deer are so cute, it's hard to stay away.) Those rabbits are very luck yo have found you x

 

[Cinnabun14]

*lucky to have found you. Geez, I can't spell this morning.