Cat brought bunny home - second day, same bunny

[Agnostos]

Hello.

My cat has brought home a bunny for the second day in a row. This is the same bunny as before, as it has an injury that I previously observed that appears identical. Below are a few pictures:

I've done some reading, and this is what I think I understand:

-This is a wild adult cottontail bunny, and it would probably be best for me to just let him/her go. [source]
-The bunny's injury may have been caused by my cat, but it may be from another cat in the apartment complex or from an entirely different source. It could be fatal.


So my question is: what should I do about this bunny? I want to be able to let my cat out in the evenings, but I don't want her to keep bringing home the same bunny (the poor thing!). My cat has caught the same bunny twice now, so I'm considering doing something about it.

Should I take the bunny to a local wildlife rehabilitation center? Relocate him/her to a safer, more cat-free area? Or should I just keep my cat inside during the evenings/all the time for a little while?


Thanks in advance,
-Agnostos

 

[funnybunnymummy]

Poor little thing. I wouldn't release him back into the wild like that. With his injury, he's sure to end up as lunch for some predator. I'd contact a wildlife rehab and see if they can take the bunny and (hopefully) nurse it back to health. Or try contacting local vets. You may find one that can help. Our vet often deals with wildlife (as he specializes in exotics).

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[Blue eyes]

I think it would be a good idea to take it to a local wildlife rehab center. They could confirm whether or not it is a wild rabbit or domestic (sometimes it is difficult to tell -- it's coloring looks like one of my rabbits seen in avatar).
If it's wild, they should take it. If it's domestic, then you would have the option of bringing it to a vet yourself, or bringing it to a rabbit rescue.
I don't think it would be kind to release it in the condition it is in.
Keeping your cat in won't prevent another cat from doing the same.

 

[Agnostos]

Thanks for the speedy response Rue.

I've got the bunny in a plastic container with some water and freshly picked grass. He'll hang out in the bathroom, away from the cat, for the night. Will try to drop him off at the local Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in the morning, if they'll take him.

 

[Bville]

I think taking it to a wildlife rehabilitation center would be the best idea if you have one near you. They may be able to treat the injury or humanely euthanize the rabbit if it's not treatable. Otherwise, it will probably die in pain or be killed by a more aggressive animal than your cat.

 

[JBun]

That injury definitely needs to be treated. The infection is really bad. If at all possible, getting it to an exotics vet tonight would be the best thing for it as it needs antibiotics and pain meds, but that may not even be a possibility for you.

The rabbit may be a domestic rabbit. The head and body don't look like the cottontails I've seen, but I guess it still could be one. Is it terrified of you or does it seem friendly at all? Does it seem to be eating at all? I hope it will be ok. Poor thing