If you have disturbed a nest of baby bunnies, place all material back in the nest and snuggle the bunnies down inside it. The nest will be lined with the mother’s fur.  Cut several pieces of string (about a foot long) or use very small sticks and cross on top of the nest to make a star.  Check the nest the next morning to see if the string or sticks have been disturbed by the mother coming or going.  The mother only comes maybe twice during the night to feed and does not stay at the nest. You may never see her.  If the nest looks as if the mother is not returning or if the babies look thin and cold or have ants or flies on them then call a rehabber immediately.

Again, healthy babies can be placed back in the nest. Young rabbits are on their own at a very early age.  If the rabbit had to be chased to be caught then it probably didn’t need rescuing. Put the rabbit back where it was found unless it was brought in by a cat or dog that can’t be kept up. If a cat or dog has brought in a rabbit, it will need to get on an antibiotic soon. If they don’t know where the nest is that the rabbit came from then follow (closely) the dog or cat the next time it goes out.  If the nest isn’t found then the dog or cat will continue to kill or harm the rest of the litter. Many people are willing to keep their dog or cat up for a couple of weeks in hopes that the babies will grow up and leave the area.

If no nest is to be found or if the rabbit is injured the most important thing is to provide warmth until the caller can get the rabbit to a rehabber or vet. Rabbits can die simply from the stress of being near humans. Do not handle the babies unless necessary and keep them in a quiet warm location until you reach a rehabber.