Road Side Rabbit Rescue
Over 15 years ago, we rescued our first rabbit on the sidewalk with our own two bare hands. At the time, we took part in a major rabbit rescue along with 3 other 501(c)(3) nonprofit Rabbit Rescue Groups, during the days before Google or pretty much any other social media.
Since then, we have gone on to rescue hundreds of rabbits over the years. I am very good at what I do, as I have developed several techniques and have accumulated several items to help rescue "dumped" rabbits. The purpose of this page is to share some of this acquired, and often coveted, knowledge.
I will be honest here. The rescue itself is the easy part. Once the bunny is rescued you need to do the following:
1. You must have a plan in place on where to take the rabbit BEFORE the rescue. The plan may include taking the rabbit to a local shelter, a local Rabbit Rescue Group, a friend, or yourself. This plan is common sense and is a courtesy - especially to shelters and local nonprofit rabbit rescue groups who have been overfull for a long time now. This significantly lessens the stress on the rescuer or rescue team, the local Rabbit Rescue Group, and/or the shelter where the rabbit may be brought to after the rescue.
We have worked with both local shelters and Animal Control on rescues, informing them that we have caught the bunny and will be bringing the bunny to the shelter. We would also provide details on the Nose2Tail check and the sex. When called upon by local 501c3 Rabbit Rescue groups, the group would either take the bunny into their system or coordinate logistics upon rescue with the shelter.
2. You need to perform a Nose2Tail Health Check of the rabbit right after rescue. It is important to know its sex and if there are any basic medical concerns before the next step in your rescue plan. When you get home, you must enter your home via the garage or backyard and put your clothes directly into the wash to prevent bringing RHDV2, fleas, etc. into your home.
3. You must assume that adult females are pregnant. This goes up to 100% if they are rescued with unfixed males. Remember, unspayed female rabbits can deliver in 28 days, and “rescue” day marks Day 1 of 28 days. If the rabbit was first seen with other rabbits 10 days ago, and they have been with other rabbits at that time, then Day 1 goes to Day 11. Once rescued, it will be important to spay any rescued unfixed female rabbit as soon as possible.
I ask the following questions when I am asked to assist with Roadside Rabbit Rescue:
1. What is the exact address or closest address known, and when did you last see the bunny? Remember that Roadside Rabbit Rescue is “real time” and the closer to the exact time the better. I would then Google the address and look for and at the area. Am I looking at the street traffic, a safe area, size of the park and/or other things. There are often several sites where it is known that rabbits are often "dumped."
2. Do You actually live in the area and can you be present for the rescue? If the area is in housing, it is critical that the person lives in the area. I cannot hop over to an area to rescue a rabbit that I have no reason to be there. It is very important that I need a person in the area to say "I LIVE here" and say that the rabbit was “dumped.” I need the person to know the area and the people. I have gone on several rescues and had to turn the bunny over to a person who lived there.
3. If rescued, will you take the bunny to a local shelter? I am not a rabbit rescue group. I need to know if the bunny, if rescued, that the person who asked for rescue assistance would take the bunny to the local shelter. If the rescue was under the Request of a rescue group, that would be different as I have done several rescues where the bunny was fostered by the rescue group.
Basic Tools
Basic Tools
The basic items are: open top carrier (I have a shoulder strap on the carrier), x-pens, net and banana, It is understood that you may not these items. You may be able to rescue the bunny and put the bunny into your car etc. Once the bunny is secure you can put the bunny into a box or similar.
X-pens are 24" and 30". I like to use the 24" x-pens due to the weight. I usually will bring 3 to 5 and if needed 15 (I brought the x-pens over the years at garage sales and the flea market). I also have "baby x-pens" as shown for kits. Kits can hop through the standard x-pens. I also have 8" x GP Pens used for the bunny being in the brush. You may not be able to bring the x-pen into the brush. You can go into the brush with the 8" GP Pens.
You may be able to use the net ($5 at the flea market) if the bunny is hopping away from you. You must be on side of the bunny and not behind. You need to place the just ahead of the bunny and with one side of the net on the ground. The bunny may hop into the net. The bunny may hop under the net if the net is not on the ground. If you are behind the bunny you must place the net just a head of the bunny.
If you see the bunny you may be able to use parts of the banana to help keep the bunny in once place. You maybe able to walk on your knees towards the bunny by taking very small steps. You can go towards the bunny if the bunny is eating, grooming etc. The bunny may hop away if you walk upright towards the bunny. Place the next slowly above the bunny and then go straight down.
Nets can cause great harm to the bunny. They arms and legs can get trap in the netting. You should NEVER lift the bunny with the net. You must secure the bunny from moving by placing you hands on the bunny. You should wait for the others to help you put the bunny into the carrier. The person who is most experienced with rabbits should place the rabbit into the carrier. You might have to cut the net or have one person hold the net while the other person remove the net from the paws or legs.
You should have water and a water bowl in the your car. You may never know when they are needed for. If you leave the rescue site you should leave food (pellets) and water for the bunny. I would leave the water bottle in hopes that people will fill the bowl if needed. You can also leave a kind note.
Rescue To Go Kit along with x-pens, carrier, card board carriers ready for the Rescue Call
Basic Items.
1. Towel or similar that can be used to block exit routes (holes in the fence)
2. You have limited x-pens. The next can be used to cover escape routes outside of the x-pen trap. It may be a large fence with an opening on the bottom.
3. Real looking stuff rabbits can be used to help bring out the rabbits i.e. eating greens.
4. Zip Ties
5. PCV Pipe or a golf ball retriever to help flush out the bunny from a bush.
1. scissor can be used to cut to the net if needed and other things.
2. Vine /wire cutters to go through brush
3. shovel to dig things. You never know.
4. extra x-pen clips
5. String for a trap.
6 wire
7. duck tape
8. tie type thing
9. short PCV pipe for trap.
1, binoculars (you have a large area to cover like a park or similar open space (hop over to high ground to look)
2. flashlight (your are looking for their eyes)
You are really into rescue
1. Night Vision Binoculars. We used this to see trigger the trap at night if the bunny was inside. The location had no light other then moon light.
2. pipe inspection camera (used to look in possible underground rabbit's nesting burrows). You don't want to put your hand into burrow without knowing what is inside. I have used this several times to see kits deep inside of the burrow. We then had to dig them out.
3. Thermal Monocular. Latest item added due to winter rescue for use with no light late at night.
You are at the top of rescue
You have a Thermal Wildlife Camera connected to your smart phone. The Town's Friend is a key dog rescue person who helps out on rabbit rescue. She used this at a public preserve (closed to the public at night) to help us rescue Mom and 6 kits who were dumped. We were able to establish the Mom's and the number of kits using her camera. We knew the number and when they would hop out. It took us a few months to rescue the Mom and kits. We worked with the local shelter, Animal Control Officers and Park Rangers. All of the kits and Mom found their Forever Homes.
Feeding Station
It is important to establish a feeding station with water and food for the rabbit. The feeding station will most likely be the only source of water and food for the rabbit. The feeding station should be away from public view. It should also be located at a known location for the rabbit. You may be able to place a Wildlife Camera connected to your cell phone. The camera can seen you short bursts of video when something goes in front of the camera.
Basic Rabbit Behavior
1. Rabbits are faster then you and change direction on a dime.
2. If you approach the rabbit they will hop in the opposite direction.
3. Rabbits will tend escape along the fence line or will hop across the street. They will go under cars or into a brush.
4. If you have a large rescue the first ones are the easy ones. The last ones can take days or weeks.
5. Rabbits learn very quickly what you are doing and how to escape. They will know the sound of the x-pens and people.
6. The skittish rabbits would hop away at the first sight of you.
7. If the rabbit hits the x-pen they will either hop backwards or along the side. You have just a spit second to grab the bunny.
8. There is no pick up and hold of the rabbit. You get the bunny any way you can short of causing harm to the bunny. The idea is to secure the bunny with your hands or on the ground with the net.
9. They do come out at darn, dust and late night.
10. Rabbits may give out a loud screem of if caught. It is a very high pitch sound that you won't forget. You must however not let go.
Lessons learned from Basic Rabbit Behavior
1. You can herd the rabbit in one direction knowing that they will go away from you.
2. Keep your distance from the bunnies and move from side to side moving your arms up and down will offset their change of direction speed.
3. It will help to do review of the rescue site to understand possible escape routes. You can set a trap or block things off.
4. When you are looking for rabbits looks under cars or in the bushes. They may be near a fence line with a hole in the fence.
5. Once your spot the bunny. You must must plan ahead on escape routes and plan.
Rescue Rules
1. Rescue is life or death for the bunny.
2. Rescue is not a social situation. Each person must focus on the rescue. It is not the time to be on your phone or talking. Rabbits can hear you. You can hear the sound of the a rabbit hopping through the bush.
3. Listen to the direction given by the leader of the rescue or smaller group.
4. Keep your eyes moving. Rabbits like to be under things brush, cars etc.
5. Once you see the bunny do not lose sight. Do not approach the rabbit. Let the others know and plan the rescue.
Game Plan for Everyone.
It is understood that several people may perform several tasks. If you have a large number of people this is a good way to make sure that everyone takes part in the rescue.
1. Rescue Leader will assign duties and direct rescue if rabbit is spotted.
2. Spotter is the key person. Once the bunny is seen the spotter will Always keep and eye on the bunny. You cannot rescue a bunny that you cannot see. The bunny may hop through the rescue line and the spotter will need to follow and keep an eye on the bunny. The spotter must not get close the bunny as the bunny will hop away. The spotter will to say way to allow eyes on the bunny.
3. Baby Bunnies (Young People or fit people) who can move the heavy x-pens to setup the rescue trap. The distance may be several blocks. The rescue may use 3 to 15 x-pens spread out over a large area. The x-pens depending on the site my have several rescue areas set up.
5. X-Pen Holders Rabbits will always find the weak point in the x-pens. The weak points area the ends of the x-pens. If you are unable to clip the end of the x-pen to a fence it is the weak point. You must have a person in place to hold the x-pen against the wall. You might 5 to 10 x-pens spread out over a large area. The X-Pens Holders will hold the x-pens in the middle points. The rabbit can knock over the x-pens if there are spread out over a large area.
6. Rabbit Herder These are the people who can "herd" the rabbit in the direction of the x-pens. The idea is force a change of direction of the bunny. Remember bunnies would go opposite direction of you. You should be in front of the bunny. You can move to the left or right to force the change of direction back towards the x-pens.
7. Public Relations Person who can explain what is going to the public and either ask for their help or direct them to walk in a different area. The PR person can knock on door asking for approval to be on their yard for the rescue. The public may ask
A. What are you doing? Who are you?
B. How did you hear about the rabbits?
C. Where will they go to if caught?
D. They have been here for months they are fine?
E. They belong to so and so down the street?
F. You WERE on my property I am going to call the Police?
Rescue Game Plan
You have spotted 1 or more rabbits. You need to pick one that you are going to rescue.
1. Place the x-pens in a zig zag manor for the trap. The idea shape is a "C" or "Horse Shoe". The x-pens should be placed near the bunny. You should make use of any walls or fences. If the bunny is under a bush , car etc you should try to encircle the bunny with the x-pens.
2. Once the x-pens are in place you can start to herd the bunny into the x-pens. It is best to have several people herd the bunny. Rabbits are fast and can cover a great distance. When the bunny stops you should also for a short break.
3. The spotter must always keep track of the bunny from a distance.
4. When the bunny gets near the x-pen the other people from 2nd line behind the lead who has the net.
5. The lead will inform the other people that the bunny lead is now going in to get the bunny. The lead should direct people behind as to their location in the event the bunny goes behind the lead. The lead is the point. The lead should left or right based on the lead's position. The bunny got bye my on the right.
We rescued a bunny at a very large public park located along the bay. We were unable to move the bunny into the x-pens. The area was on a hill side with a lot of brush. We were unable to move due to the hill side and bush. The spotter was able to follow the bunny and saw the bunny was resting under some brush. We had one chance. There was an elevated walkway just behind the brush. If the bunny moved under there rescue was over. I was on the top of the walkway as the spotter and directed the placement of the x-pens using the "Baby Bunnies".
1. X-pens were dropped from the walkway. People would then move the x-pens to secure walkway.
2. x-pens were then placed on the sides of bush away from the bunny.
3. x-pens were then place in front area of bunny.
4. We moved some of the x-pens (8 to 10) closer once they were 100% secure around the large brush.
5. 3 people were placed sides of x-pens away from the walkway on possible exit routes. They would try and secure the bunny.
6. I was on the inside with my net with another person who would go into the brush.
7. We defined the location of the sides of the x-pen by the names of the person on each side.
8. The person who will force the bunny out from the bush would let us know the location on the bunny's movements.
9. I would let the person know when I had eyes on the bunny.
10. The bunny got through the net and then hopped into the x-pen. We were able to secure the bunny at that time.
We spotted the last bunny at edge of the parking lot in another bush. The bush had a large fence one side. The bush did go up against the fence. We did not feel that the bunny would go through or under the fence.
1. We placed x-pens from the fence to the street and then back to the fence.
2. The x-pens were secured to the fence.
3. We did not move the x-pens closer since the street was a solid flat surface. Rabbits can push up the x-pen and hop under it.
4. The bunny was deep in the bush with no path ways for us.
5. We used 5 foot PC pipes that we brought along to help push out the bunny.
6. We did catch the bunny as the bunny was flushed out and caught using the net.
7. We made a mistake on the bunny transfer from the net to top opening carrier and the bunny got away.
8. We spent the next hour doing the same thing and caught the bunny the same way.
9. We did lean and during the transfer we place an x-pen around the bunny and carrier for the transfer.
Good Samaritan has been trying to rescue this bunny for over 2 weeks. The bunny was located a shopping complex with a large brush area located in the back. She was trying with several other people but were unable to capture the bunny. We made contact. She was going to foster the bunny for a local shelter if rescued. I was able to get the behavior and known exit route the bunny based on her previous experience. She kept eyes on the bunny until I got there and hour later.
The plan was the standard plan of placing x-pens around the bunny. She kept eyes on the bunny as I started to place x-pens on the far side. I folded the x-pen against the way trying to secure it. The x-pens were placed away from the bunny. She would let me know if the bunny moved or if the x-pens sounds effected the bunny. I then placed the x-pens on her side. The bunny was now secure with x-pens on 3 sides and the wall on the 4th side.
She was able to flush the bunny towards me. I was able to capture the bunny with my hands as the bunny was trying to move the x-pens.
It is important to have eyes on the bunny. It was critical to have knowledge of what the bunny might do and knowledge of the site. it is helpful to have your rescue tools ready to go.
Sit and wait with a string trap or drop trap
The most difficult rabbits to rescue may need a trap. You should have setup a feeding station near the trap. The feeding station will provide food and water for the rabbit. It will also allow you to see the bunny in a known area. You can setup a trap with a string. There are several times.
1. Use a piece of wood help up by a small stick or PC Pipe (first picture)
2. You can set a "drop trap" where the PC Pipe will hold up a small piece of an x-pen or similar (second picture)
3. Each of the traps makes sure that the item will not fall over the bunnies. There is a brace to hold the object upright.
4. Use a string to trigger the trap. You can use a dog leach (picture 3)
5. You should place some greens, banana or similar in the middle of the trap with x-pens around the trap.
You will have to sit and wait quietly without moving. Rabbits can hear you or see you move. You must think what would I do after the trap is pulled. Rabbits are very smart.
1. Rabbits may move back if they see the string being pulled.
2. Rabbits may "smell" your hand on the trap or x-pens.
3. Rabbits will hop back to the entry point after the trap is set. You must move very fast.
There are several other things that you use. You use a large carrier with the string tied to the door. You can use an x-pen with a door and the string attached to the door. You can setup a large x-pen trap and wait until the bunny enters the trap. You will then close off the entry point.
Use extreme caution with Cat Traps
Urban Street Rescue
One common rescue is that you are asked to help rescue a bunny who was "dumped" on the city street or similar. We were called upon to rescue a bunny from a 501 c3 Rabbit Rescue Group. We would foster the bunny if rescued under the Rescue Group. The approach is different then an open field or park rescue.
1. You must have someone who lives on the street to help you. They would let the people know that you are there upon their request.
2. The person would give you intel on the bunny and about any people who you should say off of property.
3. You should walk up down the street to locate the bunny or bunnies.
4. You need to look under cars in the bushes.
5. You can look into holes in the fence into people's backyards
6. Key point ask people who walk bay did you see the bunny?
7. Key point if people are walking dogs watch the dogs if they react to a bunny.
8. Think like a rabbit based on time of day. I want shade under some safe.
9. Listen to sounds i.e bunny moving walk slowly always looking.
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