Found Baby Rabbits

Hello, received a phone call this afternoon from a friend who found 5 baby rabbits in his garden today. they where all together bundled in a hole. HE believes the mother was killed by the cat next door. He was unable to keep them so volunteered to take them and find bring them to a shelter or vets office int he morning. It's a Sunday night so all the pet shops are closed tonight. I have never cared for rabbits before and I am seeking advice on what to do with them for the night? There eyes are open, fully responsive they are just frightened and huddled together, they are deff small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. what should they eat drink for the night? do they prefer dark over light? quiet atmosphere? temperature? any info would be greatly appreciated.

Please contact a local wildlife rescue in your area. asap.

http://www.nyswrc.org/rehabbers.html

These babys should have been left where they were. 9 times outa 10 when baby animals are found and look like they are on their own, the mother is usually not far away.

I understand they should have not been removed, that was not my choice. When i received the call they were already moved. I am just looking for advice on how to keep them cared for until tomorrow morning when i can contact the local humane society

If they are wild rabbits or feral rabbits? If feral [parents were originally someone's pet] then the Humane Society would take them. If wild, they wouldn't & you need to contact wildlife rescue. It's good that you are willing to do this & that you contacted us.

Pet stores are only going to look at this as a way to make money and sell them food that is not right for them.

If it was only today they were removed, they can still be & should be returned to where they found them. It is a myth that touching/handling them will affectcare from the mother. It is just about 100% doubtful that a cat killed an adultrabbit that just happens to be the mother of these babies.

Humane societies do not take wild rabbits, and rehabbers are going to tell them that they need to attempt to replace the nest. Put them back in the morning and let the mother continue to do her job. Humans fail in comparison to what the mother can do, give them their best chance by returning them.

I recently was put into a similar situation (and currently have 8 cottontail kits sitting right here by me).

Here's what you can do for food unitl you can find a rahabber that will take them:

Pick up some POWDERED Kitten milk replacer {KMR}, and mix 1 part whipping cream, 3 parts powder, and 3 parts water. Then, use an eyedropper/1mL syringe to feed it to them. Start with watering it down a bit (a bit thinner, still almost a paste) and feed probably about somewhere from 5-7+ mL per feeding twice a day.Be sure they're all going to the bathroom; This is essential.

For tempature, we keep our house around 72ish and ours seem fine. We put some old cloths in theyre that they cuddle in/under/on. I don't darken it at all; just they get the light that comes in the window.

If at all possible, find a rehabber to take them to ASAP. I have not found any in my area, but as mine need to be weaned anytime, I've gotta find some more info.

I would avoid taking them to a vet office etc. where a rehabber would need to pick them up. The bunnys' time is ticking and they need care as soon as possible.

Do you have the nest? If at all possible, I'd try to obtain all contents of the nest for warmth, especially if they're still pretty little.

Being that their eyes are open and bright, they're at least probably 11 days old. Do you have a picture?

mine are three weeks, here's Cinnabon:

Here's the forum topic about the cottontails I'm trying to rehab:

http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=72277&forum_id=8

And probiotics like Benebac are also a very good idea of something to use. Without enough good bacteria in them, the likely won't surviv, so I'd really recomend it. It can be found at Petco, maybe Petsmart, etc.

Thanks, Mia, for the picture of one of your cottontails. I've never seen a wild rabbit that close up before. I'm glad you took this on & hope the weaning goes well.

Rehabber link in Monroe/Rochester:

http://www.nyswrc.org/rehabbers.html#monroe