If you find a domestic rabbit, you will need to provide temporary safe haven until you are able to find a specialist to help care for the bunny. If you found a wild rabbit, or are not sure, please check out our Wild Bunnies page!
Bunnies can die from fear. The first thing you need to do is to provide a quiet place (bathroom, bedroom, even a closet) and provide a safe area (box with breathing holes, hard-sided crate, wire crate with towel or blanket draped over it, etc). Make sure the bunny has air circulation but also has privacy.
If you have clean, dry hay (not straw) or know someone who might (neighbor or nearby pet store), then provide that along with a heavy dish with water, and hay. If no hay is available, you can provide vegetables or pick some dandelions (make sure they come from a place that has not been sprayed with pesticide or herbicide!). You can provide bunny pellets, but make certain they are mainly timothy grass (oxbow, etc).
If the bunny is lethargic or showing signs of trauma, you may need to provide first aid:
- If they are injured, and you think they may need immediate care, you should bring them into an exotic vet. Call ahead so they understand the situation, so they are ready once you come in. Not all exotic vets are available every day of the week, so you will also need to make sure they are open. MOST VET CLINICS THAT CARE FOR DOGS AND CATS DO NOT TAKE BUNNIES.
- If they are lethargic, they may either be frightened, injured, hungry or dehydrated. Your best bet is to provide food and water, and leave them to recover. You can watch them quietly, but avoid any loud noises, additional people, or other potentially fearful situations. The bunny needs to recover.
DO NOT:
- Do NOT feed carrots, or other sugary foods
- Do NOT allow children to be loud near the bunny
- Do NOT allow other pets near the bunny