I became aware of a stray bunny early last summer. I had seen it around, and when I saw it in someone's garden, I knocked at the door and asked if it was theirs. It wasn't, but apparently 2 were released by someone as they were unwanted (probably Easter gifts :X), and this one survived and went in all the local gardens. I kept seeing it occassionally throughout the summer and autumn, but could never get near it.
In November, I discovered it had made a burrow under trees in someone's front yard, and every day since then, I have been putting food and hay down for it. Somehow, it has made it through our winter - temperatures of -30 and the most snowfall in 30 years. It has got to know me, and now comes when I call "Bunny" and lets me pet it.
Now, I am in dilemma. Do I continue to let it live, on its' own, and worry about it being hit by traffic, dogs/coyotes killing it, excess heat in the summer - or do I try and catch it and bring it home? I don't know if anyone has experience of bringing a rabbit home after it has lived 'wild' for as long as it has. Would it be too much for the rabbit to cope with, or could it adapt to being a pet once again? I thought about taking it to the Humane Society, but then it would be kept in a cage for goodness knows how long, and may even be euthanised if it isn't able to be domesticated.
Then, I have my 3 rabbits. If it's a female, I was hoping it may bond with Jester - he hates Shadow(male), but has become friends with Georgia. If they didn't bond, then I have the problem of where to put a 4th bunny.
I really need help with this, as I'm totally at a loss what to do. I did speak to someone at a local rabbit rescue, but they are at capacity, and couldn't help. I want to do what's best for this poor little thing (who is exceptionally cute), but I have to consider my bunnies too.
Any advice/comments appreciated :?
Jan
In November, I discovered it had made a burrow under trees in someone's front yard, and every day since then, I have been putting food and hay down for it. Somehow, it has made it through our winter - temperatures of -30 and the most snowfall in 30 years. It has got to know me, and now comes when I call "Bunny" and lets me pet it.
Now, I am in dilemma. Do I continue to let it live, on its' own, and worry about it being hit by traffic, dogs/coyotes killing it, excess heat in the summer - or do I try and catch it and bring it home? I don't know if anyone has experience of bringing a rabbit home after it has lived 'wild' for as long as it has. Would it be too much for the rabbit to cope with, or could it adapt to being a pet once again? I thought about taking it to the Humane Society, but then it would be kept in a cage for goodness knows how long, and may even be euthanised if it isn't able to be domesticated.
Then, I have my 3 rabbits. If it's a female, I was hoping it may bond with Jester - he hates Shadow(male), but has become friends with Georgia. If they didn't bond, then I have the problem of where to put a 4th bunny.
I really need help with this, as I'm totally at a loss what to do. I did speak to someone at a local rabbit rescue, but they are at capacity, and couldn't help. I want to do what's best for this poor little thing (who is exceptionally cute), but I have to consider my bunnies too.
Any advice/comments appreciated :?
Jan