Catching stray bunnies?

[pssh]

There is a pair of bunnies around my neighborhood and I cant catch them! Animal control, the SPCA, and the local rabbit rescue wont come out and help, so I'm on my own. They come out and run around in the streets but when I try to get close with some food they run into a gated cell tower thing so I cant catch them. I stick food under there and they will take it from my hand but wont come out. I dont want to use humane traps because there is no shade and I'm afraid someone might take them before I can get to the traps. They are pretty safe in the gated area, but winter is coming and we have some owls that might be able to get them.

Any ideas? I dont want them to get hurt from a car or cats.

 

[djfishygillz]

There is a pair of bunnies around my neighborhood and I cant catch them! Animal control, the SPCA, and the local rabbit rescue wont come out and help, so I'm on my own. They come out and run around in the streets but when I try to get close with some food they run into a gated cell tower thing so I cant catch them. I stick food under there and they will take it from my hand but wont come out. I dont want to use humane traps because there is no shade and I'm afraid someone might take them before I can get to the traps. They are pretty safe in the gated area, but winter is coming and we have some owls that might be able to get them.

Any ideas? I dont want them to get hurt from a car or cats.

At least if an owl gets them the owl and its owl babies will have food .

 

[Elizadolots]

Do you think they were someone's pets? We have bunnies all over the place, but no one ever thinks to try to catch them because they are wild animals.

 

[pssh]

They are black and white and have only been around for a few days. I'm pretty sure they are pets, especially since they will take food from my hand.

 

[NolaGirl]

There was a dwarf rabbit that was wandering around my neighborhood a couple of years ago. He would follow the neighborhood cats around. LOL! Surprisingly, the cats didn't have a problem with him tagging along. I tried and tried to catch him. Every time I'd get close, he'd dart off into the neighbors yard or under my shed. My dad is a fisherman and suggested that I use a cast net to try to catch him. Well, I gave it a whirl. I was successful on the first try. The bunny was friendly and must have been someones pet. I tried to find the owners by putting up signs around the neighborhood. No-one responded. I still have him. His name is Bun Bun. He is super sweet and loves to be handled. So, yeah, my dad's suggestion worked. Fishing for 'wabbits...LOL!

 

[NolaGirl]

This is Bun Bun. I assure you, he's not dead! LOL! He's just lounging after running around, eating grass and exploring. He's pooped from doing 'wabbit stuff.

 

[Elizadolots]

That definitely sounds like abandoned pets. Have you tried showing them the food, backing up and sitting down with the food in your hand?

**edited to add**

If you've got some friends who can help you might have more luck. When we had a pet bunny that was reluctant to return to the hutch after his daily "out door" time, it took my sister, my father and I to corral him.

 

[DanSB]

If they won't get on the right side of the fence when you're near then nets won't work. If they do a bird net or fish net would work great. If you're not familiar with bunnies WEAR GLOVES they are surprisingly sharp when scared. If it was me I would rent a humane trap (most feed stores rent them for 5 bucks a day) and just wait around for a few hours. Use some juicy veggies or something they can't resist.

Alternately you can just sit there next to the fence with some veggies right by you. Stay very still until they get used to you being there and grab for them when they come to eat. If you try this wear leather gloves and don't be afraid to hurt them or they will get away. I would probably sit there with a net and veggies.

 

[Elizadolots]

Another important thing about bunnies: hold them so their back feet point away from you. They can do serious damage with those powerful back feet and long claws (you can't see them, but they are there!).

 

[DanSB]

Another important thing about bunnies: hold them so their back feet point away from you. They can do serious damage with those powerful back feet and long claws (you can't see them, but they are there!).

Which is also why they are probably safe from most birds and cats. Very few Owls and no a lot of cats actually make a habit of hunting rabbit. Sure it happens but it isn't a first choice and if rats are abundant (which they are everywhere in central valley) the bunnies are probably safe.

 

[pssh]

My friend's cat (around the corner) hunts jackrabbits that are bigger than the cat, so I dont want that cat to get to them! I found the owners but there was a bit of a language barrier since I dont speak spanish and the translator was the womans very young daughter. I think I might just set a trap out at night and get them that way for the woman. I'm hoping I can get them overnight so I can just pick them up in the morning.

 

[DanSB]

My friend's cat (around the corner) hunts jackrabbits that are bigger than the cat, so I dont want that cat to get to them! I found the owners but there was a bit of a language barrier since I dont speak spanish and the translator was the womans very young daughter. I think I might just set a trap out at night and get them that way for the woman. I'm hoping I can get them overnight so I can just pick them up in the morning.

Are you sure they aren't livestock and you'll be invited to dinner if you bring them back? My mom's neighbor gets goats and rabbits occasionally to raise up and eat.

 

[Elizadolots]

Maybe make sure there's shade over the trap just in case you don't get them at night (though, you probably will, twilight to early morning is when the bunnies come out around here).

 

[camimom]

You can use humane traps, but put a dirt colored blanket over the top of it, leaving just the opening uncovered.

this way if they go in during the day time, they have shade, and most people wont think to go look.

 

[pssh]

Sorry for the delayed response. They were pet bunnies for sure, and we were able to catch them by hand once a very nice woman let us in her backyard (where the bunnies managed to get into through a broken part of the fence.) They were much easier to get close to and less tempted to run once they were enclosed in a backyard.

 

[DanSB]

Congratulations on the successful catch!

Sometimes just getting them comfortable enough to grab is the best way and doesn't require all sorts of tricks and stuff especially when they are pets and used to people.

If they weren't pets or food rabbits you would have had a much worse time.

 

[Elizadolots]

Good job!!

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Bunnies are awesome, I like the giant ones though.


Problem is I'd be tempted to eat them, love rabbit.