This morning my cat brought home an injured baby bunny. We are trying to nurse him back to health to make him all better again. THe only problem is he is only a few weeks old. If he does make it I am afraid that if we set him free and back into the wild he will not be able to survive because he has been so used to being taken care of by humans. So should we let him go when he is better or keep him? Thanks to all who answer!!!
2007-02-20 08:26:09 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
OH! That's soooooooo sweet! I have a little bunny to-and we did the same thing with a squirrel after Hurricane Charley! Well, you have to think about this. First, is he appropriate for his surroundings such as children-you-the house you live in-the space of your yard and so much more! Second, do you think you have enough money and responsibility for this animal? Do you know who might take care of it when your gone someplace?And third,is there any dangers for this bunny around you-and do you really think he's comfortable? I agree with you-you probably shouldn't take him back to the wild-being used to humans-and since he's that old-you should think for a moment-you cared for him-and he might not know how. Do the right thing.I say-keep him. But think about what I said and talk to your family-and go by your heart!
2007-02-20 09:17:26 · answer #1 · answered by Erica 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well i think you should call a doctor for the treatment of the bunny and ask the doctor if the bunny needs to be free or not. after i read your question i founded this info below online that could help to solve your problem.
Many people mean well when they contact HRS after discovering an "abandoned" nest of wild rabbits. Often they wish to "rehabilitate" them with some advice from others. The reality is fewer than 10% of orphaned rabbits survive a week, and the care that people attempt to provide can be illegal, unnecessary, and potentially harmful. The best thing you can do is put the bunny right back where you found him, in the general area, as the Mom will only come back at night to call and find him. Leave the area. If injured, please contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator or rabbit vet immediately.
2007-02-20 08:38:57 · answer #2 · answered by srk93 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Raise it till its old enough to be on its own again. Fed it clean its cage. No other interaction. When he's better and the weather's decent put him near where you found him or a woods/ brush area.
Make sure he has no signs of illness or, he could make the other wild ones ill.
NEVER release pet animals into the wild, they bring diseases and may damage the ecosystem!
Your little guy can from the wild. If at all possible he should go back to the wild. Wild rabbits look totally different from domesticated ones (coloration and size). In some states keeping any wild animal is illegal even, if its just one little bunny.
Good Luck!!
2007-02-20 10:24:01 · answer #3 · answered by roadkilltoad 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best bet is to contact the ASPCA or if you don't have one, keep it. I have come not to trust regular animal shelters due to personal experiences. Consult your vet for how to care for the injuries and the best foods to feed. If the injuries are severe take the rabbit to the vet for antibiotics to aid in healing.
When I was 10 my cat also injured a baby bunny, my cousin caught it's brother also, the injured one died the next day, but I had the other for more then a year. Saddly we were moving from my grandparents to our own apartment and no pets of any kind were allowed. My mom waited until I was at school and let him go. I have no clue if he survived. Something tells me he may not have since there were several dogs in the area and he was very tame. We leash walked him all the time. Since then I've raised other wild animals after they were found unable to care for themselves. In North America it's illegal to set free Starlings, so we had to raise 3 - 5 day old ones after they were found in a piece of equipment that got moved over 200 miles. They didn't even have the prefeathers on them. My vet assisted me on what to do and told me approx. how old they were. There is no place near me that would take the baby birds that didn't require several hours of driving one way. One passed at 4 months, the other 2 passed just shy of their 2nd birthday, My one cat was very attached to them and loved to sit in the cage and let them land on her head. She's a very strange cat, she also gets in the play yard with our hamsters and has to walk with the dogs every night
2007-02-20 09:04:55 · answer #4 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DEFINITELY needs to go back into the wild! I would first recommend locating a certified wildlife rehabilitator in your state and giving it to this individual. Baby rabbits are notoriously difficult to keep alive! Also, since your cat brought it in, it may need antibiotics to stay healthy. Cat saliva is full of bacteria and can be deadly to a small animal.
Please either locate a rehabber or call every vet's office until you find a vet willing to rehab it! Keeping wildlife is not only illegal, it also is extremely stressful for the animal, and rabbits don't 'do' stress. Also, it is very easy to incorrectly feed an animal, causing malnutrition. Malnutrition is VERY common when people try to raise wildlife themselves, and it can lead to deformities and/or death. I know you want to do what is 'right', so please find someone who has the correct equipment and experience!!! Thanks!
amanda
2007-02-20 12:13:57 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kudos to you for putting forth the effort to nurse this baby after injury.
Honestly, if the cat bit him, he may not pull through, because cat saliva contains loads of bacteria. You may need to take him to the vet for care.
IF, and that's a big IF...If the baby makes it, then you should return him to his habitat. While you are caring for him, give him minimal human contact. That's going to be hard to do, because you'll have to bottle or dropper feed him if he's only a couple or three weeks old.
On the other hand, if he's become attached to you because of the care you've given him...and, like I said above, it will be difficult to feed a baby this young without human contact...then you might need to look into constructing a rabbit hutch.
You should discuss with your vet the proper diet for a rabbit this young...or you can call any nearby Humane Society. The Humane Society can give you advice on diet and care, as well as returning the bunny to his habitat, if he makes it through the trauma he's experienced today.
2007-02-20 08:35:04 · answer #6 · answered by Texasippi Girl 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you can keep the little bunny then you will not regret it. They are the most joyful of pets. Bring it to a vet anyway. If you do decide to keep it then make sure you keep the cat away from it and if you haven't had a bunny before then consider joing a yahoo group such as Etherbun to gain help and advice in all areas of housing a bunny.
2007-02-20 14:20:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Please consider the benefits of turning him over to animal control.
The bunny could be carrying diseases if it's wild, putting your household at risk.
Animal control will pay for and seek out proper vet help for it and will see that it is cared for, and if it's a pet that got loose, can send it to a shelter for adoption when it's healthy, or if it truly is wild, will wait until it is truly healthy before putting it in an animal sanctuary or reserve, before setting it free.
2007-02-20 08:43:07 · answer #8 · answered by sweetnytmare 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep him. He won't be scared of humans like he should be and may not know how to take care of himself on his own. I don't think he'd make it long without proper bunny training. If he were an adult I'd say let him go but since he is a baby keep him.
2007-02-20 08:37:09 · answer #9 · answered by angelbabydoll82 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, because of the fact they have been raised in captivity. they have not have been given any theory how their "survival of the fittest" and "wild instincts" paintings. they do no longer know what to devour, the thank you to devour, the thank you to retriever it, and so on.. because of the fact they are used to human beings doing it for them. in addition they do no longer know what's a sturdy look after, because of the fact a human gave them one. are not getting anymore Bunnies- they are actually not toys that as quickly as you lose interest you would be able to provide them away. in case you like them to die miserably, set them unfastened. If no longer, bypass around on your close by puppy shops, bypass to PetCo or PetsMart, or a Bunny rescue and supply them to them in case you are able to not locate somebody to take them. Or positioned an upload in the Newspaper.
2016-11-24 20:41:29 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋