Before removing a wild animal from their natural habitat, please confirm that they are indeed in need of medical care. Quite often, although they have the best intentions, people interfere with wildlife, believing the animal to be in harm, when in fact there is nothing to be concerned about. Wild rabbit mothers only visit their nest in the morning and evening, so while it may seem a nest has been abandoned, the mother is likely watching her nest from a distance and is tending to her young properly.

Baby rabbits leave the nest when they're 3 weeks old and about the size of a chipmunk. If you find a chipmunk-sized but fully-furred rabbit with eyes open, ears erect, and the ability to hop, they are meant to be on their own; please do not interfere with them.

It is a myth that mother rabbits will reject young with the scent of a human. So if a baby has been handled by a human, simply place them back in the nest (for more information, please click here). Please avoid moving a nest unless it is absolutely necessary. Put a small secure fence around the nest to keep dogs, children, lawn mowers, and other dangers to baby rabbits away. Nests are evacuated after 3 weeks, so please be considerate of the rabbits and don’t demand that they move simply because you wish they were elsewhere. Keep your dog on a leash and stress to your children the importance of not disturbing the nest.

If the rabbit is injured, please take it to the nearest wildlife veterinarian immediately. Please note that most veterinarians are not trained to care for wild animals, so call ahead to confirm that they can help the rabbit. Wild rabbits are very difficult to care for, and most will not survive under the care of a human who does not have wildlife rehabilitating training. Click here for contact information of wildlife rehabilitators in your area.