We rescued wild bunnes
This was a whole adventure!
About a week ago we saved a bunny from my mom’s dog. We ended up finding 3 more bunnies in a spot in the garden. There were 3 German Shepards just waiting for the chase to chase them.
We named one sprout since he sprouted from the ground. It was best not to name the others for fear I’d be attached! Which I really already was. They were two weeks old or around there for age given their eyes were open ect.
We decided to leave them in their little spot in the garden and guard them from the dogs to see if mom was still caring for them. Mom bunny did not come back so it was time to place them elsewhere so they could go and live their life away from the dogs. Well when we went to get them they were missing! My husband found them hiding in the grass. Sadly he found them when he was mowing the lawn. One had his leg injured (rolled over by the wheel and luckily not the blade!). We didn’t know they weren’t in their little nest before then. At that point he grabbed the three and we went hunting for the 4th.
One had his injured leg but was ok enough to run and hop away when we released them. We had assumed after looking in the yard for like an hour that the 4th bunny god under the fence and left. So the remaining 2 were released where the other was released.
Well sadly the next night one of the dogs found and ended the life of one bunny. I was really sad about this and my husband felt guilty. But we looked for a long time and truly thought he escaped already.
Now, the other 3 are off living their life. We took care of them and kept them safe for 5 days and I miss them a lot!
PLEASE NOTE: I have 3 jobs and one of which is at a vet clinic and I did consult the vets first!
Finding a nest of baby wild bunnies can be a heartwarming yet confusing experience. My own adventure with Sprout and his siblings taught me so much about these delicate creatures. While our instinct is often to help, it's crucial to know when to step in and when to leave them be. Here's what I learned about helping these gentle animals, informed by my experience and advice from vet professionals. One of the most common misconceptions is that a mother rabbit has abandoned her babies. Often, mother bunnies only visit their nests a few times a day, usually at dawn and dusk, to avoid attracting predators. If the nest looks undisturbed and the babies are warm and plump, it's usually best to observe from a distance for 24-48 hours. You can even try the 'string test' – place a crisscross of string over the nest; if it's disturbed the next morning, mom has likely returned. However, there are definite signs that a baby bunny needs help. If you find a tiny, small, brown and grey wild bunny outside of a nest, or if the nest is clearly destroyed, exposed to elements, or if the babies are visibly injured, cold, or covered in insects, then intervention is necessary. An injured baby rabbit, like the one with the leg issue in our story, definitely needs attention. If they feel cold to the touch or are crying constantly, they might be orphaned or in distress. If you determine a rescue is needed, handle them as little and as gently as possible. Wear gloves, as their fur can carry parasites. Place the baby bunny in a small, secure box lined with a soft cloth (like a towel that won't snag their tiny claws) and provide a gentle heat source. This could be a sock filled with warm (not hot!) rice or a heating pad set on low, placed under half of the box so they can move away if too warm. Do NOT give them cow's milk or any food or water unless instructed by a professional – this can often do more harm than good. This is where consulting experts, like I did with the vets at my clinic, becomes absolutely vital. Wild animals, especially baby rabbits, have very specific and delicate needs. They are not pets. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or your local vet clinic immediately. These professionals are trained to provide the specialized diet, medical care, and environment necessary for these gentle animals to survive and eventually thrive back in the wild. They can also advise on the legal aspects of temporary wildlife care in your area. Trying to raise them yourself without expert guidance often leads to tragic outcomes. Ultimately, the goal of any wild bunny rescue is to get them back to their natural habitat once they are strong enough to fend for themselves. Rehabilitators will ensure they've learned essential survival skills before a soft release in an appropriate, safe area. It's a wonderful feeling to know you've given a precious wild rabbit a second chance at life, even with the challenges and heartbreak along the way, as I experienced with Sprout and his siblings.