Help with “rescued” rabbit

[Paula]

A friend of mine contacted me yesterday and said that she’d “rescued” a while baby bunny in her yard and wondered if I’d take it so that it didn’t become a meal for her cat.  Thinking this was a wild rabbit, I agreed, thinking I could just take the bunny and release her in a safer area (I live on 6 acres that’s relatively predator-free). 

However, today I have this bunny and it is so hand-tame I’m not sure and I certainly don’t feel right releasing what might be a domestic rabbit to fend for itself in the wild.  The rabbit is eating well and is very, very tolerant of being handled.  She did tell me that someone released some domestic pet rabbits a few years ago in her neighborhood, and I’m wondering if this is actually a potential offspring of them.  Would anyone be able to take a look at the pics and make a determination?  

[Sarita]

Looks domestic to me. I know baby cottontails have a little white patch on their forehead. And even full grown they are much leaner than this little cutie appears to be in the photos.

[Sarita]

He’s pretty darn adorable! Do you have a wildlife rehabber in your area that could take a look at him/her to see what they think?

[Monkeybun]

Agreed, this little little guy looks a little too round to be a wild bun. He’s adorable!

[bunnnnnnie!]

Aw, what a cute little round chub.  I also vote domestic bunny.

[Stickerbunny]

I have taken a few wild rabbits to the rehab place when I lived in Florida and would say domestic as well, the coloring is nearly wild, but the ears / body shape are different from the ones I am used to. Look up a wildlife rehab place in your area, they can tell you for sure.

[Paula]

Thanks everyone. I’m in the Portland, OR area and the nearest rehab center (that I’ve found) is about 50 miles away. I have sent them the photos, as well as a local rabbit rescue. I was thinking s/he might possibly be a cottontail variety, but the only white on him/her is an adorable patch between the nose and lips. Very cute. Hopefully I will hear back from the rehab center and/or Rabbit Advocates soon, but just based on the general disposition, I’m guessing this sweet baby is domestic.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

[Monkeybun]

lol, I’m an RA member

[LBJ10]

It looks domestic to me too. It has a rounded head and is a little chubster, doesn’t look like a baby wild bun to me.

[bunnyfriend]

Awhhhh what a cute bunny!!! I agree, domestic.

[emkvet]

Bah! So cute! Whatever it is, it looks precious. Hopefully you can figure this all out! What do you plan on doing with the little thing?

[LBJ10]

I remembered I have these pics I took of a baby wild bun. His mom was still looking out for him, but he wasn’t really little. You can see the difference though.

[Eepster]

 S/he looks a lot like Porky.

One of my biggest fears about Porky ever getting loose is that no one will bother trying to catch him since he looks just like a chubby version of the wild bunnies around here.

[Paula]

Hi Everyone and thanks again for your help.  My original intention was to release him/her in a safer area than my friend’s neighborhood, but given that this is most likely a domestic animal, I can’t release him to fend for himself.  For now I’ve got him set up in a temporary cage (pic attached) and he’s eating lettuce and hay and pellets quite well.  So if I don’t end up keeping him myself I will find a suitable home.  He’s just way too sweet to be a wild rabbit, I think. 

Thanks so much for your help.  Now, I’ve got to determine the sex of the poor creature.   

[Sarita]

He looks kind of like a Netherland Dwarf to me with those little ears and the round face and body. I imagine he will be a small little guy or girl.

[LBJ10]

Oh my gosh, how sweet is that? I love that little face!

[FrankieFlash]

awh look at that face! so cute!

[Elrohwen]

Definitely looks domestic to me for all of the reasons mentioned. What a cutie pie!

[jerseygirl]

I’d put bets on his ears will even lop at some point! lol His head looks like a baby version of my Rumball.

Sounds like he doesn’t have the agouti pattern (white belly and underside of tail) like the wild rabbits have.

I agree, I think he’s a domestic too. Super cute!!!!!!! Thanks for taking him in.

[Pandorachik]

Awh me gowsh!! TOO CUTE! I am on the domestic side! Hmmm.. who could let rabbits free?!?!

[Monkeybun]

Paula, if you can’t sex him yourself, RA does an outreach very month where they do nail trims and grooming, and they also have a monthly meeting at OHS. You could bring him then to have him checked PM me if you want more info

[otter & loki]

u mentioned feeding him lettuce, just make sure it’s not iceberg~~everything i have read advises not to give light colored lettuce. i’m not sure why, but wouldn’t take the chance. my buns love all fragrant fresh herbs, mint, cilantro, parsley~bunches are cheap at the market, but wash really good. keep him! he came to you for a reason. they are very loving and easy to care for~then u can “rescue” a pal for him. check for bunny rescue sites for vets or clinics that offer affordable spay / neuter.

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