Hi Everyone, could use some advice

[Marsha]

Hi Everyone, we have a big white rabbit with brown spots that’s been hanging around  our place the past week or two. He’s been living in our neighbors crawlspace with a variety of other animals including wild rabbits and hibernating Chipmunks.

This Rabbits was obviously someone’s pet, I’ve been feeding him and he knows when I’m around. We checked around the neighborhood to see if anyone’s been looking for him, but no one has. One neighbor said he’s been around for awhile.

Questions, is it okay that we’ve been feeding him, we’ve been getting a lot of snow lately and it would be difficult for him to find food? If it is, what should we feed him? He seems to get along with the wild bunnies although he’s 3x their size lol.

Another thing, I was thinking about trying to catch him and taking him to the humane shelter. I don’t know if he’s better off here running around free (it is warm under the neighbors place) or at the Humane shelter stuck in a cage. We’re also a little worried about predators, not so much now because he blends in well with the snow, but it could be a problem later.

Could really use some advice, I’ll post a pic of him in a while.

Thanks

[Hazel]

It’s very unlikely he will survive in the wild even if you keep feeding him. He will be taken by the cold, disease or a predator. Domestic rabbits aren’t equipped to live like wild rabbits, they don’t have the instincts needed to survive on their own. Hanging out with wild rabbits isn’t a good thing either, as they will transmit diseases and parasites to him. So yes, please try to catch him and take him to the shelter. At least he will have a chance there to find a good home.

Just make sure it’s a no kill shelter.

[MoveDiagonally]

I second Hazel’s advice and add that you may be able to contact a local rabbit rescue and see if they have room/can help you catch him.

[Marsha]

Thank you very much for the advice.

I was able to catch him the other day and I took him our local no kill animal shelter. We’ve got a major cold snap coming next week with lows -10 to -15, so at least now I won’t have to worry about him freezing to death or getting run over by a car.

We’re also going to help try to find him a home, he really didn’t seem that upset that we caught him.

Thanks again.

[Sarita]

That’s great you caught him and now he has a chance. You are a lifesaver!

[Beka27]

Just saw this now… I am so thankful you were able to catch him! He sounds like a sweet guy and will hopefully make someone a wonderful indoor companion!

[Author]

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