Injured/Orphaned Rabbits
The Tenafly Nature Center does not take injured or orphaned wildlife!

An animal’s best chance of survival is in the care of its own mother.
If your circumstance requires you to handle it, always wear protective gloves and place a towel over it to reduce stress. 

 Have you found a rabbit?

• Uninjured bunnies that are 4-5 inches long, able to hop, with eyes open, and ears up do not need your help.

• If you have found bunnies with little to no fur and eyes shut, they still require the care of their mother.

• Stumbling upon a nest of bunnies in the wild is possible. Even if the mother is nowhere to be seen, Do not disturb them. By removing them from the nest you are greatly reducing their chances of survival.  The fact that she is not there with them is normal. Her presence can attract predators. The mother will return in the night to nurse them.

• If you have found bunnies, stranded outside and far from their nest, then you may locate it if possible and return them to it. A rabbit nest can be identified by finding a shallow depression in the ground lined with grass and fur. It does not always have to be a burrow.

• The nest should have a grass cover as well, but if the babies were not inside, it was likely damaged. If this is so, place them in the nest, and put light layers of grass over them for cover.

• Leave them for the mother to return. Keep in mind that she will only come back to them at dawn or dusk.

• If the mother does not return, and you fear she is dead, bring them to a wildlife rehabilitator.

• An injured rabbit will benefit from the care of a rehabilitator as well.

• Signs of injury include shivering, vomiting, emaciation, bleeding, hit by a car, or attacked by a dog/cat.

How to Transport a Rescued Animal to the Wildlife Rehabilitator:

1. Prepare a container. Place a clean, soft cloth or towel at the bottom of a cardboard box or cat/dog carrier with a lid. If there is no ventilation, make air holes.
2. Protect yourself. Remember that these are wild animals. They are scared and may try to defend themselves. Even if the animal doesn’t try to scratch, bite, or peck, parasites and diseases are common. Wear gloves, cover the animal with another cloth or towel, and gently place it in the container. Wash your hands and forearms after contact.
3. Keep the animal calm and warm. Keep children and pets away. Do not bother or handle the animal longer than necessary. Keep it covered for warmth and in a dark quite place.
4. Do not attempt to feed or provide water.
5. Note where you found the animal. This is important for release.
6. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator. Do not keep the animal in your home. It is illegal to house injured/orphaned wildlife without the proper training and credentials.

Always take extreme caution with wild animals.  They may harbor diseases and try to defend themselves when fearful.  Always be overly cautious of an animal you suspect is sick and in this scenario, keep yourself, children, and pets at a far distance, and contact animal control immediately.  Their information is as follows:

Bergen County Animal Shelter
100 United Lane
Teterboro, New Jersey 07608
201-229-4600

The advice expressed on this page is to be utilized at your own discretion. Laws regarding wildlife may differ between counties.