Is that little ball of fluff hopping around in your yard or a nearby park a baby rabbit? Is it alone and looking lost, with no sign of a mother rabbit in sight? Chances are, it’s an abandoned bunny, and it needs your help.

Before you rush to scoop up the bunny and take it home, however, it’s important to know what to do – and not do – to give the bunny the best chance of survival.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps you need to take to rescue an abandoned bunny successfully.

Step 1: Assess the Situation

Before you do anything else, take a few minutes to observe the bunny and its surroundings. This will help you determine whether the bunny is truly abandoned or just temporarily alone.

If you see a nest nearby, with other bunnies in it and no sign of disturbance, the chances are good that the bunny you found is not actually abandoned.

Mother rabbits only visit their nests once or twice per day to avoid attracting predators, so the babies may look alone for long periods of time.

If, however, you see no sign of a nest or mother rabbit after several hours of observation, and the bunny appears dirty, thin, or injured, it’s likely that the bunny has been abandoned and needs your help.

Step 2: Prepare a Safe Space

Before you attempt to catch the bunny, you’ll need to have a safe space ready to keep it once it’s in your care.

A cardboard box with air holes, lined with towels or a soft blanket, is a good option, or you might consider purchasing a small animal carrier.

Make sure the space you choose is quiet, warm, and away from other pets or animals, as well as any loud noises or disturbances. A bathroom or spare bedroom can work well for this purpose.

Step 3: Catch the Bunny

Catching an abandoned bunny can be tricky, as they are often skittish and can run very quickly. Here are a few tips for catching a bunny safely:.

Approach the bunny slowly and calmly, speaking in a gentle voice.
Use a towel or blanket to gently throw over the bunny, then scoop it up quickly and place it in your prepared safe space.
If the bunny is still very young and cannot move quickly, you may be able to pick it up with your hands, using a towel or gloves to protect your skin from bites and scratches.

Step 4: Provide Basic Care

Once you have the bunny in your safe space, it’s important to provide it with basic care while you make plans for its longer-term needs. Here are a few steps to take:.

Offer the bunny fresh water in a shallow dish, but do not offer any food until you talk to a wildlife rehabilitator (see Step 5) who can advise you on the proper diet for a young bunny.
Cover the bunny’s container with a light towel or sheet to help it feel safe and secure.
Check on the bunny every hour or so, but otherwise, let it rest and recover from its ordeal.

Step 5: Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator

In most cases, it’s best to transfer the care of an abandoned bunny to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

These professionals have the expertise, equipment, and resources to take care of young bunnies properly and help them develop the skills they’ll need to survive in the wild.

You can find a list of wildlife rehabilitators in your area through your state’s wildlife agency, local animal rescue organizations, or online.

Be prepared to provide information about the bunny’s age, appearance, and behavior, as well as your location and contact information.

Step 6: Follow-up and Release

After you transfer the bunny to a wildlife rehabilitator, you can follow up periodically to check on its progress and ask for updates on its care.

Rehabilitators will usually work with the bunny until it’s old enough and strong enough to survive in the wild on its own, then release it back into its natural habitat.

Although it can be hard to say goodbye to the bunny you rescued, know that you’ve given it the best chance at survival and a happy, healthy life in the wild.

Conclusion

Rescuing an abandoned bunny is a rewarding but challenging experience, but with the right information and resources, you can give the bunny the best possible chance at survival.

Remember to assess the situation carefully, provide a safe space, catch the bunny safely, provide basic care, contact a wildlife rehabilitator, and follow up on the bunny’s progress and release. With these steps, you can feel confident that you’re doing everything possible to help the bunny thrive in the wild.