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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Stray Rabbit

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    • Taro's Pets
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        On Friday when I was walking to school I noticed a tiny little bunny near the storage area beside my school. I just glanced and thought it was a young wild rabbit. Today I saw him again and noticed he is a domestic dwarf rabbit. His coat was harlequin so he is definitely a domestic rabbit (he is orange with black stripes). I’m worried for the little guy because he’s really small and he has been out there for a week (I saw him last Friday and today in Monday. Someone told me that they saw him last week too.). He’s living in a storage area thats near roads and traffic. I’m worried he might decide to cross the road and get run over, and I noticed large amounts of litter, like cigarettes and cigarette boxes, broken glass, beer bottles, rusty nails, nuts, and screws. Also a lot of mud, mites, ants, and other bugs that can be harmful to him. He’s about the size of a guinea pig and hes also really timid. I’m using “he” because I dont know his gender and its easier to refer to him as that. His coat makes him look like a little tiger so me and my friend nicknamed him “Tiger”. Tiger was pretty small and is living in bad conditions. Its getting colder now and he was abandoned by his owners. Luckily there is a fence area for him to retreat to where I cant get but raccoons and cats definitely can. I’m worried about the little guy and I’m trying to catch him. He’s extremely shy and runs away whenever I approach. I spent my whole afternoon with him outside 3-6PM. After awhile I crawled beside him and he allowed me to feed him some dandlion leaves from the area he was sitting in. I know that it can be dangerous for him to eat it but there wasnt anything else to offer. He started warming up with me and came up to me looking for food. Rabbits I know are extemely food motivated and I’m gonna bring him some treats tomorrow, probably banana, and a bit of carrot if I can find any. Its just for bait of course to try to get him. I dont have rabbit pellets or hay because I had hamsters before and not rabbits. My hamsters did have hay but they both passed away for about month now so I got rid of most of the supplies. I still have the oxbow freeze dried strawberry treats I might bring for the rabbit (the only ingredient is strawberry). I’m wondering how long he can live out there. About how long. I am trying my best to help him and any tips or suggestions would be awesome. I have my hamster’s old travel cage, which are the cages sold at petshops and I’m planning on using that because I dont have a kennel. He is about the size of a guinea pig so he should fit nicely through the door. I’m gonna try to find him tomorrow and hopefully he is still alive, I’m gonna lure him in with some treats and put treats in the cage and lure him in. I’m sure he’ll go in if it looks like a hiding spot so I’m putting blankets and towels in there to keep him comfy. Is that a good idea? Our bond has broke a bit because I scared him quiet a lot when I tried lifting his front paws up. He ran off and I went home because I was unable to get him. He trusted us enough to sit beside me and I petted him to sleep. I’m hoping my plan works and again any suggestions or tips would be awesome! Has anyone taken in a stray rabbit as well? I’m hoping all is well and I can safely get him home! The people who abandoned it did something really bad. A lot of people do these days, thinking it’ll be alright. But the rule is you should NEVER release a domestic animal into the wild. I’m just asking for tips and some feedback because I’ve never had a rabbit, and I hope to do the best I can to help him. Also I saw him pee a few times today and he pooped too. Its good to see that he’s drank water and eaten some grass.


      • Bam
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          Here’s a good article on catching a stray rabbit:
          http://www.columbusrabbit.org/strays.php

          I have taken in 2 strays. It has worked out wonderfully well. I have to go out for a while now, but will write more when I return.


        • Gina.Jenny
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            Two of our current buns were strays, and are settling in well, though still not bonded with each other.

            Hopefully Tiger will go in the box, and you can catch him/her without distressing him/her too much. It sounds like he/she has already started to learn to trust you. If you do successfully catch him/her, you will need to think where you will keep them, plus what you will feed them. Big changes in diet aren’t good for a bunny, so if they are used to lots of grass, you could find yourself doing like I do, and heading out each day with scissors and a bowl, to collect grass! Carrots are quite high sugar for a bunny, dandelion leaves are good for them, but not every day. Both the girls we caught are totally unfussy eaters, I guess because they both went hungry while living rough, and so will eat any hay, pellets or veg I offer. I am sure they think, if its in mum’s hand, it must be food!


          • jerseygirl
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              We had a member active on here years ago who had 2 bunnies that were strays in a park. She took a pet carrier with food there and both times the rabbits just hopped in. Worth a try…


            • Taro's Pets
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                Sadly I dont have a carrier, but I’ll try the cage. If he fits he should go in. Its a little hole and if hes scared he would probably find a little space to hide. After I catch him I might keep him but I’m not sure yet. I dont think giving him in to the shelter soon is a good idea. I did feed him a lot of dandelion leaves to lure him in and was able to calm him down by petting him. I have to go to school soon and I’m gonna see if he is still there. After school I’ll run home and grab my supplies.


              • LittlePuffyTail
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                  Best of luck!!!!


                • Taro's Pets
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                    I caught him! I dont know his gender but I managed to put the hamster cage bars on top of him. He was totally cool with it and we put a blanket under him and transfered the bottom of the cage on. Hes eating a bit of grass right now


                  • MoxieMeadows
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                      Yay! I’d love to see pics of him/her.


                    • Mordaith
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                        Good job! Poor lil’ one. I can’t imagine how I’d be if I discovered Fox got out. I’d have a rabbit induced stroke!


                      • Taro's Pets
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                          I’m not sure if I can keep him or not. And also I cant upload photos because it freezes every time I send it. My computer is broken so I have to use my phone sadly.


                        • tobyluv
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                            It’s so good that you rescued the poor bunny. If you can’t keep him, I hope that you will be able to find a good home for him.

                            Since you have never had rabbits before, you may want to read up on their care. There is good rabbit care information here at Binky Bunny – click on Bunny Info at the top of the page.


                          • Taro's Pets
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                              Posted By tobyluv on 9/15/2015 10:41 PM
                              It’s so good that you rescued the poor bunny. If you can’t keep him, I hope that you will be able to find a good home for him.

                              Since you have never had rabbits before, you may want to read up on their care. There is good rabbit care information here at Binky Bunny – click on Bunny Info at the top of the page.

                              Ive done about 2 years of research on rabbits but I wasnt allowed to get one and I got hamsters instead. I have done a ton of research so it should be fine


                            • jerseygirl
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                                Well done!

                                Ive done about 2 years of research on rabbits but I wasnt allowed to get one and I got hamsters instead. I have doIve done about 2 years of research on rabbits but I wasnt allowed to get one and I got hamsters instead. I have done a ton of research so it should be fine. I have done a ton of research so it should be fine

                                That’s a shame you can’t keep him/her. It sounds like it would have done well with you!

                                If you don’t mind post the general region where you live, members here may be able to recommend a reputable rescue you could take the bunny to. Also, I think by law, you have to post Found signs but don’t quote me on that!!


                              • Bam
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                                  Thank you for saving him, the outdoors is a dangerous place for a bunny.
                                  If you can’t keep him I hope you’ll be able to find him a good home.


                                • Taro's Pets
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                                    Good news! My mom said if I can prove to her that I’m responsible enough for a week she will let me keep him in the garage. We have a car so I’m gonna put him in the far north side of my garage. My mom said she would air out the garage before closing it so most of the gas would escape and he would get some fresh air. When I get home I’ll open the garage door and let fresh air in anyways and take him upstairs to play. Though I’m not prepared for him money wise but I’m trying to save up for a spay/neuter. I’m starting to litter train him in the hamster cage he is in now and I saw him going in the corner hes suppose to be. Though I cant get any supplies till next week, I’m slowly translationing him from grass to veggies and he’s doing pretty well. For this week I’m taking him outdoors and ill let him run around and eat some grass in the hamster cage (removing the bottom so he can access the grass). I saw him flop out a few times today on the little bed I gave him. I’ll be doing a few more updates on the little guy!


                                  • Bam
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                                      That is good news! keeping my fingers crossed that you can prove your responsibility to your mum!

                                      It’s ok if he eats grass, if you have access to grass, grass is excellent for bunnies. I pick fresh grass for mine, it makes their poop perfect.


                                    • Kitty
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                                        Oh hun, this is lovely story. I really want to see picture

                                        I hope bunny will be OK and happy. I bet it’s hard to have a pet when you don’t have job yet, cause it can cost… but you can keep it pretty cheap. It depends on what you can afford and you have always option of cheaper hay as well as everything else I bet he will love you big time for looking after him Make sure he is not cold, I would give him at least towel he can cuddle up into so he will stay warm in the garage

                                        Let us all know how are you getting on with Tiger


                                      • Taro's Pets
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                                          Unfortunately when I try to send a photo it says its over the size limit. I cannot edit it because my computer is broken. I’ll try setting my profile photo to him. Maybe that’ll work! He’s a beautiful little bunny. I just woke up and hes eating some grass. Hes in the hamster cage for 3 hours in the morning when I go to school, when I come home for lunch I let him run for about half an hour and I put him back in when I leave. Letting him come out until 8 when I get home so he can have some exercise. Paying for vet bills isnt cheap and its hard to earn money without a job. So I’ll have to save up every penny! I’m planning on getting some storage grids (C&C Grids) to make him a cage. I saw some at the dollarstore. $3 for 6 30×30 grids. I’ll use those and it can save a lot of money


                                        • Taro's Pets
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                                            I couldnt set the size of the photo on my phone so I had to upload ut sonewhere else. I uploaded it on a photo bucket account I was randomly logged on to. There are a few pictures of one of my hamsters but the rest I uploaded a few of the rabbit. http://s51.photobucket.com/user/Tina_Hu/library/Mobile%20Uploads?sort=3&page=1

                                            He feels at home now. We have no play pen gates so he always heads upstairs even thougu he isnt allowed yet. He isnt litter traiend either and he just peed on my leg. He settles in whenever I pet him and he looks like a little loaf. I’m glad hes settling in well.

                                            Also if you guys know his breed (hes mixed and I don’t know his origin) that would be really helpful! Just an estimate is fine. One thing you can tell by pictures is his fur. I don’t know how a regular rabbit feels like since I’ve never really handled a rabbit. I know Rex Rabbits have really soft fur, but I’m guessing his fur is regular. It feels a lot like hamster and cat fur. I do know his coat. His coat is harlequin I believe.


                                          • Kitty
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                                              That’s a good idea. here in England in pound store we have like wicker sticks in garden section (I bought mine for fiver and then seen them in poundland lol) … so yeah or you can pick some wood sticks outside…. get him towel, wood, carboard box…. loads of stuff for free

                                              Oh I am so excited about this story


                                            • Kitty
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                                                OH Tiger IS GORGEOUS ! He has his own teddy bear ! wow…. lovely ! He/she is just like my Pippin just different colour (and a bit bigger) awwww supercute !


                                              • Taro's Pets
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                                                  Yeah he’s such a pretty bunny! I gave him a little toy rabbit to keep him company while I’m away. I have a toy rabbit that kinda looks like him and I’m washing it today for him and I’ll see how he like it! I’m plan on making him a pretty large cage since we have lots of
                                                  room in the back. We dont have a backyard but I dont really want to make a backyard hutch anyways. I might be able to make a little hutch on my balcony though maybe in the spring. I’m planning on getting some supplies online because it tends to be cheaper than in store. Hes been running around really quickly this morning and looked pretty excited to play


                                                • MoxieMeadows
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                                                    Tiger is so pretty.


                                                  • Bam
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                                                      Aww, he’s so cute!!! He’s a Japanese harlequin.

                                                      I so hope you get to keep him for your mum, he’s just crazy adorable!


                                                    • Kitty
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                                                        How do you know what type is he? Could someone please have a look into my album and tell me what my bunny is? My doctor wrote “domestic black” lol it’s like write “I am too lazy to be bothered” …. Pls I would love to know what is it x thanks


                                                      • Taro's Pets
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                                                          You can tell by the ears, size, fur texture and body shape. I’m not good with rabbit species. Just wondering


                                                        • Taro's Pets
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                                                            You can tell by the ears, size, fur texture and body shape. I’m not good with rabbit species. Just wondering


                                                          • Eepster
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                                                              Though sadly it is most likely that Tiger was dumped, there is the possibility that he is lost and has a home with a family that misses him. It would be good to make an effort to check around for lost rabbit signs, posting on craigslist, and to call local animal shelters and see if anyone has called in looking for a rabbit. He should be seen by a vet anyway, and they could scan him for a chip.

                                                              Dad’s new cat has been slipping out to chase birds, and if he ever got far he could have a hard time finding his way home since he’s supposed to be an indoor cat. We would want him returned if he ever got lost.

                                                              Assuming he isn’t a lost bunny and you can keep him is pretty safe though. Way too many rabbits are just released into the wild.

                                                              Stuffed animals are great, it gives them someone to groom and snuggle up with. I think his breed is harliquin, not just his coloring, with more details like weight we could be more sure. Hay is dried grass, so if you can get clean grass for him, it is a good substitute for hay till you can get hay. Dandelion greens are also perfectly healthy.


                                                            • Eepster
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                                                                Posted By Kitty on 9/17/2015 4:07 PM

                                                                How do you know what type is he? Could someone please have a look into my album and tell me what my bunny is? My doctor wrote “domestic black” lol it’s like write “I am too lazy to be bothered” …. Pls I would love to know what is it x thanks

                                                                I have some thoughts looking at his photo, but if you start a separate thread with important details like age, weight, how the fur acts and feels, etc we could be more accurate.


                                                              • Taro's Pets
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                                                                  He is most likely dumped. The area where I found him near my school, I saw a few other rabbits there as well. People are probably just throwing out their rabbits there. I can tell he hasnt been loved much. He was really afraid and didnt want to come close to people. If he did run away, he wouldnt be near the garbage dump because the houses are across the street and rabbits usually stay close to where they were left or kept. Also he was beside my school and I always saw him outside eating grass and if he was lost most likely his owner would spot him. I’m taking him to the vet ASAP. I’m still saving up a bit of money

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                                                              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Stray Rabbit