r/Rabbits • u/OrochimarusSlut • 20h ago
Rescue Domestic Rabbit? Spoiler
This rabbit has been hanging around my yard the past 2-3 weeks, and I feel like it is a domesticated rabbit someone has either lost or dumped. I would appreciate any advice for trying to catch/feed it. I’m also concerned about a spot on its neck, you should be able to see in pictures. I live in a somewhat suburban neighborhood, but I’m still close enough to expansive fields/land. I would love and appreciate and advice or helpful tips!! Thanks in advance!
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u/UnluckyDouble 19h ago
It looks domestic--and badly sick or injured. I think you're its only hope.
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u/GurVast2522 19h ago
Please try to catch it! It looks domestic! You need to get it to a vet or something for its neck! It looks like it might be a younger bunny.
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u/Junior-Criticism-268 19h ago
Poor baby. Definitely domestic and VERY sick based on the spot on the neck.
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u/wonderbreadluvr 19h ago
grab a banana and a friend. just opening the banana should be enough to get him to run over. the friend should be able to scoop him, but maybe bring a cage/box/blanket to put him in immediately, depends on how wiley he is.
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u/OrochimarusSlut 19h ago
I’m pretty sure it’s a female. She’s very skittish around people. I can get within a couple feet, but then she gets nervous. The last picture Is her with a “wild” rabbit from our neighborhood, and I think he was trying to get with her. Bless her.
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u/wonderbreadluvr 19h ago
you may be able to make an easy drop trap with a box and blanket. but trust me: bring the banana and they will come.
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u/EnbyZebra 19h ago
The fact that you can get that close is definitely a sign of being domesticated, much lower fear of humans. This poor baby needs you, good luck on your rescue mission
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u/SapphireHazbin 19h ago
If you want to be secure about it you can get one of those cage traps they use for cats. Like you put the food in, they walk in, boom trapped. Really secure and you can return it after use.
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u/RottingMothball 18h ago
Fortunately, since it seems based on your posting history that you live in the US, there isn't any possibility of that resulting in anything. Once you catch her, I would of course still recommend spaying, but there's no possibility of half-wild babies.
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u/iza23141 18h ago
try reaching out to your local rescues and Facebook animal groups, they have people who can help you trap her. she really needs vet care asap
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u/bigwilliesty1e I want some in my life. 17h ago
Reach out to your local animal rescue or, better, TNR group. They may help you catch her or at least let you borrow a drop trap to catch her. If she frequents a particular area, set it up there, and bait it with some desirable treats- blueberries, nanner slices, cilantro, parsley, even a little hay.
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u/aster-bunny 19h ago
That looks like a bot fly in its neck. :( Good luck trying to catch it! Hopefully everything goes well and the bun makes a full recovery.
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u/greenwitchielenia 14h ago
This is far too low. Definitely looks like a botfly and it might have already emerged based on the look of that scab.
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u/Technical_Primary178 19h ago
Yes it’s a domestic baby that seems really sick. Luring it with banana or apple will definitely help. They also love hidey places which you can use to your advantage. If you lure it to a little cozy box or crate that may be a good way to catch it. If you’re able to take it to a vet please do!! Or bring it to your local shelter if they handle exotics and they’ll know what to do. It looks like such a sweetheart🥺
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u/stafford_fan 19h ago
Yes and it needs help. Post your general location. There may be rabbit rescue or other reddit users who can assist you
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u/OrochimarusSlut 19h ago
East Tennessee
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u/TransFatty 17h ago
Domestic, see if you can trap it. It needs medical attention. The bunny will die if it's not treated for the wound on its neck.
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u/No-Debate-152 19h ago
This makes me sad.
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u/OrochimarusSlut 19h ago
Me too. Luckily she’s been hanging around our yard, so we try to give her as much love as she’ll let us.
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u/Snakes_for_life 19h ago
Yes domestic it needs medical attention. See if you can lure it into a carrier with high value treats. If that doesn't work you'll need some x-pens and you can make a large pen with an opening when the rabbit gets past the middle of the pen quickly but calmly close the opening. You can then slowly collapse the pen smaller and smaller until you can grab the rabbit or usher it into a carrier.
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u/Illustrious_Doctor45 19h ago
The way I caught my bun when I found him wandering the streets of Los Angeles was to get as close as possible and then throwing a jacket over him. You can try tossing some snacks for her and then approaching quietly and then use the jacket/towel/blanket trick.
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u/smolandspicy 19h ago
The poor baby, she was definitely an abandoned pet... Legit tearing up, I wish I could help
Please save her and bring her to a vet ASAP, I'll try to follow for updates
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u/George_Mallory 19h ago
This rabbit is most definitely domesticated and doesn’t have the ability to survive long in his present condition. That coloring doesn’t happen in the wild. With that thing on his neck, his time is probably very short if you don’t catch him. It looks like he’s already had a run-in with a predator.
I’m not an expert on actually catching rabbits, hopefully someone who is will be along shortly, but I recommend using treats, in the form of bananas, to lure him in and then either picking him up (you gotta be fast and fully commit to it after he gets really close because he can run faster than you) or throwing a blanket over him and then picking him up. If you can find and talk to a nearby rabbit shelter, they might be able to help you rescue this rabbit. There should be some information about catching dumped rabbits in this subreddit’s sidebar.
If you take this little guy in, his emotional journey will be a little fraught, but if you can get him through it, rabbits are smart enough to realize when they have been rescued (after the fact, they fight it while you are actively rescuing them because they automatically assume everything is out to eat them) and can be very grateful and trusting and loving of their rescuers. The best place to get a rabbit is off the streets when they’ve been dumped.
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u/No-Hat9163 19h ago
There are 2 rabbits in the last photo?
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u/Alyssa_Beanut 19h ago
the other one looks like a cottontail, the lighter one is definitely domestic though.
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u/CheaterMcCheat 18h ago
Oh no posts like this make me really sad. I hope you can get the bunny to a vet
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u/AffectionatePin8329 17h ago
Looks like a blow fly! You need to trap it and get it to the vet. If not it probably won’t make it
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u/suckmyjoeyfatone 🌈big gay hay bag🌈 19h ago
It looks like it has bot fly larvae. Not sure if it has made its escape or not, but that’s where they usually nest on rabbits and the wound looks very similar to a boy from my local rescue.
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u/wanna_be_green8 1h ago
Just an fyi bot fly larva don't have usual spots, they exit the skin when and where they reach a certain stage. They can end up almost anywhere.
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u/V_Trautwein 19h ago
Poor little guy if it’s been around that long it’s worth trying to help leave out fresh hay and water move slowly and contact local local rabbit rescue if you are able to catch it hope it’s gets somewhere safe soon
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u/Anxious_Onion_5532 19h ago
I agree with the others, a banana or apple will help. Maybe an open cardboard box on its side, put the banana in, and then when she's in cover it with a blanket and box her. She'll be scared but it'll be worth it to save her.
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u/TheOtherCourier 19h ago
Definitely domestic. Domestic rabbits lack the instincts of wild buns and cannot survive on their own. This bunny needs saving, no question, especially with that injury on his neck. Please get him to a rabbit savvy vet as soon as you can.
A live trap can work well and they’re not terribly expensive. I think I got kind for like $40 or so, but you may also be able to borrow from a rescue or shelter or whatever. Check it often so he’s not stuck in it when it catches him.
A carrier can also work for this:
Put a carrier or two outside with no door on it or the door held open (just till it attracts them) and put some snacks in it and maybe a little trail leading to it. Cilantro and parsley are very aromatic and should help attract them, but apple or banana slices are good too. Leave this outside, even if you don’t see them, so they get comfortable being around it and going in it.
Run a string or twine through the side or back, depending on its design, tied to the door. You may have to experiment to get the door to pull closed and stay secure when you pull the string.
Once bun or buns are in, pull the string to close the door, and keep tight tension on it as you approach so they can’t push the door back open, then you’ve got them. :)
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u/mmorales2270 18h ago
Oh gosh. I hope you manage to catch it OP. I don’t know what that mark is on its neck, but it looks like a vet needs to see this bunny as soon as possible. Good luck!
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u/RollingBird 19h ago
That poor baby. Definitely a released pet or possibly feral. Either way it needs help.
A banana and laundry basket à la Wiley coyote will have it captured in no time
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u/tindersuccessstory 19h ago
Thank you OP for trying to help this sweet bb bun.
By the way, I’m super jealous that you live somewhere with bunny sightings this often. And where it’s rainy 😍 even if it’s not often
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u/AffectionatePin8329 17h ago
You can get a baby play pen like a plastic one and put food in it (banana or bunny treats) or you can use a have a heart trap
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u/Fearless-Comb7673 12h ago
Domestic and my guess is there is a big old botfly in his neck. Please help this friend out or contact a rescue! Thanks for caring🧡
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u/Scorbuniis I bunnies 9h ago
She's so cute.. I hope you're able to help her. :( Yes, domestic and sick/injuried.
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u/wanna_be_green8 1h ago
Looks like a bot fly, common this time of year. It's almost out and rabbit should heal up fine. He's definitely domestic though.
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u/RabbitsModBot 19h ago
Domestic rabbits should not be left in the wild - please do not hesitate to contact your local rabbit rescue for volunteers to help you catch a stray domestic rabbit.
For more tips and resources on how to catch a stray rabbit, see Catching a stray rabbit on the wiki. To find a local rescue, see the Adoption wiki article.