Are Those WILD Baby Rabbits Really in Need of Rescue?

Wild rabbits hide their nests in plain view, often in the middle of your yard, bushes, etc. If you find a nest that has been disturbed, do the best you can to restore it and leave the babies in there. If a dog discovers the nest, do your best to restore it (with grass, leaves, whatever mama has used), make sure the kits are in there, and find a way to keep the dog(s) away from the nest.

Mama will return for her babies and taking them away will seriously decrease their chance of survival. If you do not see the mama—DON’T WORRY—they only nurse their babies a few minutes a day, then they stay away so as to not draw predators to the nest.

If a kit is injured or an animal brings you an injured baby, if you have no choice but to help a baby, please do not try to care for it yourself—-get it to a rabbit vet or a wildlife rehabilitator.

List of rabbit vets: http://rabbit.org/vet-listings/
Local wildlife rehabilitator: http://wildliferehabinfo.org/ContactList_MnPg.htm

The best thing you can do for wild babies is to leave them alone (restored to the nest) or, if injured, get them to a rabbit vet or wildlife rehabilitator.

For more information, please see our article.