Hello from Indy

[Schultz]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this site but not new to rabbits, I have had rabbits off and on since I was a kid. Up until 2 days ago I hadn't had a bunnie in quite some time. My husband owns his own landscaping company and brought me a baby bunnie he found at a job site. The poor little thing was cold and starving. Right now he is comfortable in a laundry basket with food and water but I also have to bottle feed once at night and in the morning, at leats that is what the internet says. My husband will be making a rabbit hutch for him today and I willgo and get all the necessary items I know he will be needing. Anyone with words of advice would be appreciated. I do plan on keeping him, calling animal control would never be an option as they would euthanise him immediatly.

Well anyway, nice to meet you!

Kathleen :biggrin2:

 

[Leader of the Pack]

Kathleen

Good luck with your baby bun! It's been quite a while since we raised babies from a bottle. Especially a wild bunny. Back then I was clueless as to the proper needs of a wild baby rabbit and syringefed the little thing every 4 hours around the clock on warmed watered down milk, with a little honey added. I'll never forget that my father warned me about how delicate wild baby buns were, but "Ears" survived and he grew up to be a beautiful wild/tame rabbit.

Today I'm sure we'd do things differently, but being new here myself I am certain there are others who could advise you much better than myself. But I wanted to say hello...and welcome and "Good luck!"

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Welcome to the forum, I am glad you rescued the little one.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Is the baby a cottontail? and where in Indy are you? I'm just north of Indianapolis.

 

[Schultz]

Yes he is a male baby Cottontail, his name has officially become Thumper! I am just north of Camby but he was found in Danville. I would like to add pictures but am not sure how this site works for adding pictures. Oh, and btw thank you for the warm welcomes!!!

 

[Bo B Bunny]

How do you know he's a boy? If he's that little it's probably hard to tell.....

Here's some stuff you should know.

1. He's wild, he will be wild and stay wild.

2. It's illegal to keep wild rabbits in Indiana

3. Wild rabbits can carry a disease that you should know about "just incase"

 

[Schultz]

When I spoke with animal control here in Indianapolis, I was told that it is not illegal to keep wild caught rabbits and that if it is a baby and I send it to the shelter, they will most likely euthanise him and that it is in the best interest of the bunnie to stay in my care. I made sure to call animal control and the mayor's action center before I ever considered keeping him. I understand that he is a wild animal but he is also very young and can be tamed; something which I have done in the past with another baby bunnie I cared for after his mother was run over by a lawn mower. As far as disease, I have an appoinment with my vet to make sure he is healthy; I would not want to jeopardize the health of my other pets so at this time he is quarentined in a different part of the house. Like I said before I have had rabbits off and on since I was a kidso I know what to look for when it comes to sexing a rabbit, he's not so small that I can't tell. I can appreciate your concern and have done a lot of homework, if the bunnie decides to stay "wild" I will most certainly release him once he is weaned which should be about a week or so. If however, he seems tame I will let him stay here where it is safe.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

That's interesting what you've been told.

"Wild rabbits, by nature, are timid animals and try to escape when handled and can do considerable damage with their hind feet in the process. Leave young rabbits where you find them. It is also illegal to posses wildlife without special permits."

IND DNR - http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5033.htm

I actually have a wild cottontail myself. She's handicapped with a badly splayed leg. I've been down this road before myself - more than once, but released healthy babies. Clover would not survive. She's a good girl but has never completely tamed. She's 2 years old.

 

[Leader of the Pack]

Bo B Bunny wrote:

That's interesting what you've been told.

"Wild rabbits, by nature, are timid animals and try to escape when handled and can do considerable damage with their hind feet in the process. Leave young rabbits where you find them. It is also illegal to posses wildlife without special permits."

IND DNR - http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5033.htm

I actually have a wild cottontail myself. She's handicapped with a badly splayed leg. I've been down this road before myself - more than once, but released healthy babies. Clover would not survive. She's a good girl but has never completely tamed. She's 2 years old.

Mississippi has wildlife "laws" as well; but how strictly they are enforced or followed depends on who you talk to when you call for help and information, or how understaffed they may be at the time.

I've rescued, raised and released baby squirrels and wild rabbits, taken them to the vet and walked into the wildlife and game conservation office withthe wild baby in a cat carrier;only to be told to take the little thing back home, keep doing what I was doing with no further questions asked.

Obviously in my experience, laws are made to be broken.....depending on who you talk to.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Yeah. All 50 states have stiff penalties for harboring wildlife without a permit.

I'm sure all the people I know with racoons, squirrels, and even skunks don't all know that! but it's something everyone should be aware of.

 

[ra7751]

Hi Schultz,

I am a licensed wildlife rehabber in NC. I can assure you that what you are doing is both illegal and immoral....don't mean to be so blunt but I have seen this happen far too often recently. I just recently took in a baby cottontail that was found in a fieldjust after he was born by well meaning people. He died a painful death due to improperhusbandry. Thepeople "read on the internet" and that usually means bad things for the animal. Here is a link to a list of rehabbers that can take that rabbit.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm#in

There is a lot more to raising a wild animal other than "food and water" especially with a rabbit. They have to be fed a proper formula (which is not goat's milk or kitten milk replacer). They rarely have a sucking reflex so they easily aspirate the formula into their lungs. Many have to fed by "tubing"...which is by placing a feeding catheter directly into thestomach.They are lactose intollerant....cow's milk can easily kill them. They will never "tame". Some may do better in captivity than others but I have seen them get so stressed that they harmed or killed themselves.

I urge you to do the right thing. If you are interested in working wildlife....I fully encourage that as all of us that are licensed are being overwhelmed. A caring person that is willing to learn and execute the proper methods for treating wildlife will be welcomed with open arms.

Randy

 

[juliew19673]

Hi Kathleen and Welcome to RO!

I've read the responses and hope all works out well for both you and the bun.. In my opinion it is great that you took the little bun in and am caring for it to the best of your knowledge - perhaps as Randy suggested, the rehabilitator people can help you and help you decide what would be best for the little guy.

I hope you find alot of help and positive, constructive feedback here - I certainly have andeveryone has been fantastic.

Again, welcome to the site.

PS: Thumper is really adorable!

 

[Becca]

Hello and Welcome to our Ro family! Glad you joined us here!