Catching loose domestic buns?

[Lis]

Yesterday, by some stroke of luck, I saw a little brown/white blue eyed dutchie running through the flowers of my apartment complex. In my quest to catch her, I discovered two more brown domestic bunnies running wild in my apartment complex. I was ultimately able to catch the dutch and get her to animal control, who took her to our shelter, but the other two are still out there, and AC is aware of them but not making an active effort to catch them. They suggested I set up some humane traps, and chain them to something so they don’t get stolen. My apartment complex has given me permission to do so. 

Does anyone have any advice on catching these bunnies? Friends of Rabbits has one lone volunteer/foster in my area (and she works for my vet). I’ve been talking to her about catching her, but I think she’s as stumped as I am. I’m pretty sure the bunnies are set up in a little fenced off area that the complex is using to store the new banisters that they’re installing, so that’s my focus area right now.

What should I put in the traps if I use them? Any other useful strategies?

[Tessie]

Don’t have many ideas on this other than…. food?

[manic_muncher]

banana!

[R0se]

I’m not sure with the trapping part of it.
But I would think some pellets mixed with some fruit would be your best option.
Outside the smell of the pellets would be lost, but the fruit would still be strong enough to smell.

Also if you think that they were pets at one point, taking a bag of pellets outside and shaking might make them come out of hiding.
When my first house bunny decided to hide among the piles of stuff in the attic one day, shaking the bag around for about 10 minutes got his ears to perk up and he came out of hiding.

Good luck!

[tobyluv]

Apple, banana or pear would be good in the trap. If you do use a trap, try to make sure that you or someone can monitor it all or most of the time. You don’t want the rabbit sitting in there for very long, because it might get frantic and injure itself, or another animal could come upon it and spook the rabbit. Also, be prepared to release any other animals that might go in the trap, such as a raccoon or possum, if they are around there and able to get in the area where you place the trap.

Were you going to try some more to get the other rabbits yourself? You may be able to lure them to you with fruit or strong smelling veggies like cilantro. It can also be helpful if you have a few people helping, so that you carefully close in on the rabbit(s) or corral them toward a wall or fence or inside a small area. I was involved in a multi rabbit rescue last year, with some other people. We found it helpful to have some panels of wire grids (NIC cube panels) with us to help surround the rabbits or keep them out of inaccessible areas.

I hope that you are able to rescue these rabbits.

[Lis]

Good news! A friend of mine saw my facebook posts about the bunnies, and basically brought an army out to catch them. Lured them into xpens with banana. They are safe and sound, and from my understanding, they’re sleeping over at PETA’s HQ tonight until they can be transferred to the shelter.

[Roberta]

That’s awesom news Lis.

[JackRabbit]

[tobyluv]

It’s great that they were rescued!

[LittlePuffyTail]

That’s great that they were caught so quick! It’s a dangerous world for a loose bunny.

[Lis]

Unfortunately, that’s very true, LPT. The darker bun has an abscess on his or her side and some abrasions on her legs, and she’ll be taken to my vet in the morning by my friend who caught her. Fortunately, the dutch I handed over to AC and the lighter brown bun are perfectly healthy.
On a related note, if anyone in SE Virginia or NE NC wants a bunny, send me a message and I’ll let you know where these three are. My local shelter is overflowing with rabbits right now.

[Lis]

All three buns turned out to be boys (no extra babies! yay!). They’re at 2 different shelters in my city. The one rabbit that I caught was named after me at the shelter (given the masculine form of my real name). 

Here’s Aaron, Cameron, and Spencer.

[Tessie]

Awwwwwww, aren’t they handsome?

So glad to hear it’s all turned out well!
I hope you’re proud of yourself

[LongEaredLions]

Glad they have all been rescued!
(((Vibes))) for healing all their little lumps and bumps!
Cuties!

[Boing]

Congratulations!!

[tobyluv]

It’s great that you were able to rescue them. I hope that they all find forever homes soon.

[Apple]

Please check and make sure the bunnies get to a safe place. Unfortunately the Norfolk PETA does not have a good reputation regarding the care of animals in their custody. Their euthanasia rate is very high.

[Lis]

Apple, they’re at the SPCA. Contrary to popular belief and a lot of stats, they do take animals to the SPCA when they’re not in dire straights, just not one in Norfolk. I’ve seen quite a few animals listed as “surrendered by PETA” when I’m there.

[Author]

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